TSU Alumna, ACS President Dr. Dorothy Phillips Returns to Inspire Future Chemists

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University welcomed a full day of career focused programming as the American Chemical Society (ACS) visited campus recently, with the highlight being a keynote address from TSU alumna and ACS President, Dr. Dorothy Phillips.

Phillips is the first African American woman to earn an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and the first woman to lead ACS in its 150-year history. Her return to TSU was a welcome built on faith, courage, and a profound commitment to helping the next generation of chemists find their own path forward, she said.

L-r: Dr. Sujata Guha, President Dwayne Tucker, Keynote speaker Dr. Dorothy Phillips, and College of Life and Physical Sciences Dean Dr. Nolan McMurray.

“This day has been extremely warm,” Phillips told the audience, noting that the visit allowed her to reunite with former classmates, friends, and family. She spoke of her family’s TSU legacy and how TSU helped jumpstart her career, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, character-building, and leadership development.

The ACS, founded in 1876, is the largest scientific organization in the world with a mission to advance knowledge and empower a global community. For TSU, being selected as one of three HBCUs that ACS visited this year underscored the strength of the university’s chemistry program and its commitment to student success, said Phillips. She is also the first African American woman to head the ACS and to serve on its Board of Directors.

Phillips began her academic journey at TSU as a chemistry major before transferring to Vanderbilt on scholarship in the 1960s. She shared how TSU prepared her academically and spiritually, and how mentorship guided her through a historic and difficult transition.

“The family values instilled in me gave me the interfaith to step forward,” Phillips said. “It takes faith and listening to prayer. It takes support. You cannot do everything alone. I work with young people to make sure they have a strong career.”

TSU Chemistry Club president Keturah Badie handing out chemistry-related materials during the ACS campus event.

In addition to her keynote address, the ACS boss’ daylong visit included a fireside chat, a panel discussion and grant writing workshops. President Dwayne Tucker attended the event, joining faculty, staff, and students throughout the day.

Senior chemistry major Keturah Badie, who is president of the Chemistry Club, described Phillips’ visit as both affirming and inspiring. The New Orleans native, who plans to become a cosmetic chemist, said having ACS on campus felt like a full-circle moment.

“They (ACS) are the foundation of chemistry as a whole,” Badie said. “Just to be able to provide this opportunity for undergraduate students means everything to me. It tells me that I am here right now but just imagine where I could be in the next several years. Whatever I want to do is possible.”

ACS program manager Becky Monford

ACS program manager Becky Monford said the organization was just as excited to be at TSU, especially because of Phillips’ connection to the university. “We are thrilled to be here on TSU’s campus,” Monford said. “Dr. Phillips started her career here, so we are happy to have this event for her, and to bring a taste of the American Chemical Society to TSU and learn what is going on here.”

Dr. Sujata Guha, interim chair of the TSU Department of Chemistry, said she pushed for ACS to visit TSU because of the opportunity it would create for the nearly 80 chemistry majors in the department.

“There are career opportunities for students, faculty grant proposals, and so many resources,” Guha said. “Bringing ACS and Dr. Phillips to TSU meant personal connections for our students. This is a networking opportunity for our students. These are the steps of success.”

As the event ended, one theme resonated strongly: the importance of representation and the vital role of investing in the next generation. When asked about her legacy, Phillips expressed her hope that students would discover the courage and strength within themselves and embrace their unique purpose. “I want young people to have faith, a foundation that empowers them to be resilient. You don’t have to conquer the world; just strive to be good people with strong values.”

To learn more about the Department of Chemistry , visit https://www.tnstate.edu/chemistry/.