Three African Americans earn doctorates in chemistry, set Univ. of Miss record

Three African American students at the University of Mississippi earned a doctorate in Chemistry, an exceptional achievement by any University.

African Americans Earn Doctorates

This is great news, and something young minority men and women should be inspired by. Education is a great and powerful thing.

Less than a year after launching an aggressive initiative to increase the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, the University of Mississippi has recorded an impressive national achievement.

“On average, about 50 African American students receive Ph.D.s in chemistry nationwide each year, so UM produced 6 percent of the national total,” said Maurice Eftink, associate provost and professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

The history-making candidates who received their degrees Friday were Kari Copeland of Coldwater, Margo Montgomery of New Orleans and Jeffrey Veals of Gloster. And a fourth African American student, Shanna Stoddard of Louisville, Ky., is on track to earn her doctorate in chemistry in December.

“This is a significant achievement for these three graduates and their families, and it is also significant for the university,” Chancellor Dan Jones said. “UM 2020, our new strategic plan, calls on us as the flagship university of our state to lead our state and region in preparing professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, especially from underrepresented groups.”

It is the second time in recent years that UM has set a benchmark in STEM fields. The university produced four African American Ph.D.s in mathematics in 2006.

“That was an even more outstanding achievement given that there are only 15-to-30 African American Ph.D.s in math granted each year. But the current achievement is still pretty noteworthy,” Eftink said.

Charles Hussey, UM chair of chemistry and biochemistry, lauded his faculty for their support.

“Our three students represent a significant proportion of the national graduates,” he said. “This department and its faculty are absolutely devoted to the success of minority students, regardless of whether they are undergraduate or graduate students.”