Many of the brightest young minds in chemistry from high schools across the region participated in the recent MTSU Department of Chemistry Scholarship Tournament.

MTSU chemistry officials revived the tournament, which was last held in 2015, and conducted it once again in the university’s Science Building.

The event recognized nearly 30 outstanding chemistry students from Rutherford and surrounding counties and provided an opportunity for them to consider MTSU for their higher education. Participants included seniors who completed a year of chemistry, as well as qualified juniors.

Incentives included special scholarships to attend MTSU and cash to the top three finishers from the 90-minute exam, which was “based on general chemistry that a high school student would have covered,” said professor Norma Dunlap, who oversaw the event.

MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer, left, presents Faith Viers of Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro with a $2,000 scholarship to attend MTSU and $500 for earning first place honors in the Nov. 26 Chemistry Scholarship Tournament in the Science Building. (MTSU photo by Eric Sutton)

The students toured the 250,000-square-foot Science Building, which opened in 2014, and learned about the chemistry program from current students Myranda Uselton, the 2015 tournament winner; Kayley Stallings, a 2015 tournament participant; Avraz Anwar; and Daniela Taylor.

MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer, left, and Department of Chemistry professor Norma Dunlap, right, pose for a photo with the top three winners from the recent Chemistry Scholarship Tournament: first-place winner Faith Viers, second from left, and runner-up Callie Hall of Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, and third-place Daniel Bergman of Mt. Juliet High School. (MTSU photo by Eric Sutton)

After lunch, College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer recognized first-place winner Faith Viers of Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro with a $2,000 scholarship and $500; runner-up Callie Hall of Central Magnet, $1,500 scholarship and $300; and third-place winner Daniel Bergman of Mt. Juliet High School, $1,000 scholarship and $100.

The visiting students also observed research posters presented by MTSU students at regional and national meetings. The chemistry department provided gifts for the students and their teachers, too.

“Our intention is to make this a yearly event,” Dunlap said.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

As MTSU chemistry professor and event coordinator Norma Dunlap, right, assists, nearly 30 high school participants in the recent Chemistry Scholarship Tournament break for lunch after a 90-minute exam and tour of the Science Building. (MTSU photo by Eric Sutton)