Tomsich Science Awards recognize outstanding research

The Robert J. Tomsich Science Awards were presented to Associate Professor of Chemistry Scott D. Cummings and Assistant Professor of Mathematics Judy A. Holdener at Kenyon's recent Honors Day Convocation.

Established in 1995 by Cleveland businessman Robert Tomsich, a long-time Kenyon trustee and currently an emeritus trustee, the cash award is given in recognition of scientific excellence in past and current research, contributions to the strength of research efforts at the College, and promise of continuing creative leadership in such endeavors.

Cummings, who joined Kenyon's faculty in 1995, is a specialist in inorganic chemistry with research focused on photochemistry. He is an ongoing contributor to professional journals and regularly presents his work at conferences. Cummings's willingness work with students--sometimes co-authoring articles with them--helped him to earn a 1999 Trustee Teaching Excellence Award.

Cummings helps promote the sciences beyond the Kenyon campus. He was recently selected to be a member of the Project Kaleidoscope (PKal) Faculty for the Twenty-First Century. PKal is a leading U.S. advocate for building and sustaining strong programs in science, engineering, and mathematics. Cummings is also an active participant in the Summer Science Scholars Program.

A graduate of Binghamton University, he earned his doctorate at the University of Rochester.

Holdener's recent research has centered on number theory and, more specifically, perfect numbers. She graduated from Kent State University before earning her doctorate from the University of Illinois. She joined the mathematics faculty in 1998.

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