2001 Thomas Payne

Thomas Payne photo ThomasPayne.jpg

Thomas Payne
2001 Distinguished Service Award Recipient

We are pleased to announce Mr. Thomas Payne as the recipient of the 2001 Agnes Ann Green Distinguished Service Award. Tom is retired from Los Angeles Trade Technical College after 25 years of teaching chemistry and chemical technology in the Los Angeles Community College District. He earned his B.S. in Agricultural Chemistry at California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo and an M.S. in Biochemistry from California State University, Long Beach.

Tom has devoted his life to chemistry—through his teaching at Los Angeles Trade Technical College and development of the Chemical Technology Program there, and also through his local activities in the American Chemical Society. Tom has been a long-time member and supporter of the American Chemical Society; he has served multiple terms on the Southern California Section Executive Committee and was a member of the Southern California ACS Board of Directors in 1997.

Even though Tom is now retired and frequently travels, for many decades he has been tireless in his promotion of chemistry and in reaching out to young members of our community who do not “see” themselves in chemistry. He has volunteered for local section outreach activities associated with National Chemistry Week from the early 1990’s and always with a smile and pleasant words! Tom and Renee Madyun, a colleague of his at L.A. Trade Tech, have spearheaded efforts to gain ACS recognition and support for L.A. Trade Tech’s successful Chemical Technology Program.

Tom is being recognized for his unflagging championship of chemistry, for his inspiration to young people underrepresented in the sciences, and for his consistent and cheerful willingness to “lend a hand” in the Section when needed. Thank you, Tom!