A UNM chemistry professor recently received the top award that emphasizes higher education for analytical chemists, recognizing him as one of the best chemistry educators of all time in the United States.
Chris Enke, whose career in education spans more than four decades including teaching stints at Princeton University, Michigan State and most recently UNM, is one of only 21 individuals to have been selected to receive the J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education since its inception in 1983.
"I've been involved with education for a long time and it is an honor to be recognized for the work I've done," Enke said. "It's like being honored by my friends and peers. I could not be more pleased to receive such a prestigious award."
The criteria for the award, which is sponsored by the Analytical Division of the American Chemical Society, include enhancing the personal and professional development of students in the study of analytical chemistry in a variety of ways including: authorship of an influential textbook for an analytical chemistry course; design and implementation of a successful new approach to teaching analytical chemistry; stimulation through teaching or research mentorship of a significant number of students to become analytical chemists; development and publication of innovative experiments; design of improved equipment for teaching labs; and publication of widely quoted articles on teaching analytical chemistry.
"This award is given annually to an individual who has made unique contributions in the field of education in analytical chemistry," said J. David Pinkston, chairman of the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry in a UNM press release. "Chris' nomination was especially strong noting extraordinary contributions as an author of influential
textbooks, a mentor to literally hundreds, an innovative thinker, and above all, a devoted educator."
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Enke has received numerous awards including two previous American Chemical Society awards for Chemical Instrumentation and Computers in Chemistry, and the Distinguished Faculty Award from Michigan State.
He has written 15 books, including his latest, The Art and Science of Chemical Analysis. He has taught nearly 70 Ph.D. students over the years and was the inventor of the triple quadruple mass spectrometer, which was recognized with the international Award for Distinguished Contributions to Mass Spectrometry.
Enke also has nine patents.
"It is so pleasing to have a job that you truly love and care about," Enke said. "It is a tremendous privilege to be recognized for my work in the field."
Enke earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Principia College in Illinois and his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois.
