Front row (L to R): Chris Jahn (ACC), Malachi Nelson, Hedges Onye-Franklin, Natalie Krauser AIChE), Caitlyn Thompson, Mira Reynolds, and Jeremiah Harris, Gina Gatto (AIChE), Adrienne Blanks (AIChE), Eric Byer (ACD). Back row (L to R): Sunday Youmans, Jaia Arzu, Bailey Williams, Stenette Byrd IV, Kelly Montes de Oca (ACC), Ryan Jackson (ACC), Kimberly White (ACC), and Victor Bohnert (AIChE).
On Monday, October 20, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) hosted the second annual Swings for STEM event at the Lansdowne Resort in Virginia. The tournament brought together more than 100 chemical industry professionals, association leaders, FOSSI scholars, and Congressional staff members for a day of fun and fundraising, generating a total of $111,000 to benefit the Future of STEM Scholarship Initiative (FOSSI) and Creating Exciting Futures in STEM (CEF).
Sponsors drive success
FOSSI sponsors were vital to the event’s success. For the second consecutive year, Dow returned as the presenting sponsor, reinforcing its deep commitment to advancing opportunities in STEM. Eastman, also in its second year of sponsorship, not only supported the event but celebrated a tournament win, showcasing its team spirit and leadership on and off the green. Catalynt also returned as a leading sponsor, illustrating the power of collaborative impact in the chemical industry and its supply chain. Chevron Phillips Chemical LP (CPChem) expanded its engagement in 2025 as the event’s reception sponsor.
Chemours, a founding partner in FOSSI and major champion of the program, joined FOSSI sponsors Deloitte and Brenntag to support the event, underscoring their long-standing dedication to fostering future talent in the chemical industry. In total, nearly 20 organizations came together to support Swings for STEM, surpassing last year’s sponsorship levels.
Scholars gain experience and inspiration
The event also welcomed FOSSI scholars Caitlyn Thompson, Stenette Byrd IV, Jeremiah Harris, Jaia Arzu, Sunday Youmans, Mira Reynolds, Malachi Nelson, Hedges Oyne-Franklin, and Bailey Williams from across the country. Scholars had the opportunity to meet with sponsors, connect with fellow students, and participate in a professional golf lesson.
A highlight of the day was a professional development session led by Dr. Kimberly Wise White, ACC’s Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs. The session focused on helping scholars craft compelling elevator pitches to confidently communicate their strengths and explored how to connect their academic majors to meaningful career paths in the chemical industry.
“Attending Swings for STEM was an amazing experience,” said Caitlyn Thompson, a chemical engineering major at Howard University. “As a FOSSI scholar, having the opportunity to meet and engage with the people who make this scholarship possible was truly rewarding. From connecting with other scholars to golfing and participating in professional development activities, Swings for STEM 2025 was an unforgettable experience that I’ll continue to talk about. I’m excited to see how it continues to grow in the years to come.”
A celebration of collaboration and commitment
The event concluded with dinner and an awards presentation by ACD President & CEO Eric Byer and ACC President & CEO Chris Jahn. “As research and development becomes increasingly important in today’s workplace, STEM education is a critical tool for our members’ ability to remain competitive,” said Byer. “This successful event was a great opportunity for our industry to come together to not only invest in our future but to raise awareness and financial support for these well-deserving scholars.”
Jahn added, “The chemical industry has long recognized that a strong STEM workforce is essential to our nation’s competitiveness, and we’ve acted on that belief. Through FOSSI, our industry was among the first to invest in HBCU students at this scale, creating meaningful pathways into careers in our industry. Swings for STEM is more than a fundraiser—it’s a call to action. Programs like these are essential to building a qualified talent pipeline and helping to ensure America’s continued manufacturing leadership.”
If you know any high school seniors who are eligible for the FOSSI scholarship, please encourage them to apply here! The application deadline is January 15, 2026.
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