The American Chemical Society (ACS) has invited Richard E. Partch, senior university professor of chemistry at Clarkson University's Center for Advanced Materials Processing, to be on its National tour speaker list.

Officers in over 150 regional sections of the ACS use the list to select speakers for their monthly professional meetings.

The invitation to be a tour speaker is the result of Partch's international reputation for fundamental research in the field of colloidal particle surface modification, with application to ceramic, composite, electronic, imaging, medical, printing and security technologies.

In spring 2011, Partch spoke by invitation at ACS sections in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.

Partch's E. Ann Nally Award plaque was also presented to him by the society president at the recent northeast regional ACS meeting.

Partch was recognized with the award last year for his volunteer contributions to regional and national operations and his many years of speaking on chemical subjects to high school students.

Partch, who has been a member of the ACS for 47 years, holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Rochester.

He has been on the Clarkson faculty since 1962 and has received excellence in teaching awards.

He has been selected as a Rotary Foundation Fellow, a National Academy of Science Research Fellow and a NATO Workshop presenter.