Mississippi College chemistry professor to keynote statewide chemical society banquet at MC

David H. Magers, MC professor of chemistry and chemical physics, will present “Reflections of a Theoretical Chemist: On Models, Mentors and Minds” at the Mississippi Section of the American Chemical Society’s annual banquet.

David H. Magers, professor of chemistry and chemical physics in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Mississippi College and the Mississippi Section of the American Chemical Society’s 2024 Chemist of the Year, will deliver the keynote address at the society’s annual banquet, scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, in Anderson Hall on MC’s Clinton campus.

Director of the Computational Chemistry Group, chair of the Academic Research Council and director of the Office of Research at MC, Magers will present “Reflections of a Theoretical Chemist: On Models, Mentors and Minds.”

Magers said he is “honored and humbled” to give the keynote address at the MS ACS banquet.

“To a large degree, my talk is a look back at my career as a chemist,” said Magers, a 1982 graduate of MC who has taught at the Christian University since 1989. “I will talk about some of the people who mentored me and about many of the amazing students that I have had the opportunity to teach and mentor here at MC. I will weave into this story some of the scientific models that I use in my research.

“Being at MC makes it more appropriate to talk about some of the mentors that I had while I was a student here.”

Magers obtained his Ph.D. from the Quantum Theory Project at the University of Florida and was a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University, where he worked with Nobel Laureate William Lipscomb.

His areas of expertise include quantum chemistry, molecular electronic structure and spectra, many-body theory, and ab initio many-body methods.

Magers received the 2024 Outstanding Contribution to Science Award from the Mississippi Academy of Sciences, the highest annual award the academy gives. He also serves as a sponsor of the Mississippi Alpha Chapter of Alpha Chi, treasurer of the Mississippi Section of the ACS and graduate coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at MC.

The 2003 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer of the College of Arts and Sciences at MC, Magers was named the University’s Distinguished Professor of the Year in 2005. He has authored more than 40 publications and delivered 50 invited lectures, but his primary focus has been directing his students to present.

A professional organization, the Mississippi Local Section of the ACS provides opportunities for faculty and students to network with other chemists, which fosters collaborations and opportunities for students as they progress in their education. The banquet includes a judged poster session for undergraduate and graduate students, followed by dinner, and then the keynote.

“I have heard that several former students plan to attend,” Magers said. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to reconnect with them.”

For more information or to register for the banquet, visit https://mississippiacs.org/banquet/.