ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan chemistry Prof. Billy Jo Evans is one of eight educators nationwide to receive a 1995 Catalyst Award from the Chemical Manufacturers Association for teaching excellence in chemistry and other science-related fields.

The awards program honors college faculty and secondary teachers who inspire students to pursue careers in science, chemistry, chemical engineering and chemical technology.

” I am honored to receive the Catalyst Award, as it recognizes the efforts of individual faculty members in working directly with students,” Evans says. ” Most of my work has focused on helping students in the laboratory, enabling them to be successful in careers that can change the world for a lot of people.”

While Evans says curriculum reform is critical to ensure an acceptable level of competence among students, he sees the need for developing excellence among individuals.

” I am the product of a number of scholars who worked directly with me during my academic development,” he says. ” From their leadership, I developed a very direct teaching style. I simply try to give something back to today’s students.”

Evans, who has a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and a doctorate from the University of Chicago, has taught at the U-M since 1979.

National winners of the CMA’s Catalyst Award, established in 1957, receive a $5,000 stipend.

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