At the 2025 AIChE Annual Meeting in Boston, the AIChE Foundation gathered with donors, volunteers, and leaders from across the chemical engineering community for its 19th Annual Donor Recognition Dinner* — an inspiring evening celebrating generosity, leadership, and ten years of Doing a World of Good.
This year’s dinner was especially meaningful as it marked the 10th anniversary of the Foundation’s Doing a World of Good — a decade that has transformed lives, strengthened communities, and expanded opportunity across the chemical engineering profession. The evening honored the donors and volunteers whose vision and generosity continue to drive this impact forward. Since 2015, more than 7,000 individual and corporate donors have contributed over $65 million to advance education, inclusion, safety, and innovation across AIChE’s programs.
“Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Together, we’ve engineered a decade of impact—and the best is yet to come.” – Jennifer Sinclair Curtis, Foundation Chair
Honoring Leadership and Philanthropy
This year’s celebration recognized two extraordinary examples of leadership in giving:
A.-H. “Alissa” Park, Ronald and Valerie Sugar Dean and Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, was named the 2025 Fundraiser of the Year for her visionary leadership in establishing the L.–S. Fan Award Endowment. Park was instrumental in both gaining approval for this important new award and leading the fundraising effort that will sustain it for generations. Her dedication exemplifies the power of volunteer leadership and the impact one individual can make in uniting a community around a shared purpose.
Scott and Karen Love were honored as the 2025 Philanthropists of the Year for their long-standing generosity and leadership within the AIChE Foundation. As Diamond members of the John J. McKetta Jr. Lifetime Giving Society and members of the Legacy Society, the Loves have strengthened programs across AIChE — from expanding the Women in Chemical Engineering (WIC) Mentorship Awards to three categories, to establishing the new MAC Early Career Scholar Award supporting emerging leaders within the Minority Affairs Community (MAC). Their giving continues to inspire others to invest in the next generation of engineers.
Celebrating a Legacy of Giving
The evening also recognized members of the John J. McKetta Jr. Lifetime Giving Society and the AIChE Legacy Society — visionary donors who have made cumulative or planned gifts that sustain AIChE’s mission for years to come. A special display in the room highlighted members newly elevated to higher giving levels in the McKetta Society. Their steadfast generosity ensures that the spirit of Doing a World of Good endures for generations.
A Decade of Doing a World of Good
Marking this milestone year, the Foundation reflected on a decade of extraordinary progress made possible through philanthropy. Donor support has enabled transformative programs like Bee a ChemE and FOSSI, which are shaping the next generation of engineers and leaders.
Through Bee a ChemE, a national awareness campaign launched from the K–12 STEM Ambassador Program at The Ohio State University, students across the country are discovering the power of chemical engineering to change the world. To date, Bee a ChemE has grown to include 6 university partners, 10 schools with on-site volunteers, and 40 schools receiving Bee a ChemE materials — reaching more than 825 students directly and creating over 1,400 K–12 learning touchpoints. With over 100 STEM modules and a growing library of online resources, the program continues to spark curiosity in classrooms and communities alike.
Meanwhile, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) celebrates its first graduating class in 2025, marking a major milestone in broadening pathways into the profession. Since its inception, FOSSI has awarded more than 850 scholarships, raised over $40 million, and supported students at 47 HBCUs across 33 states in partnership with more than 80 companies. Together, these programs exemplify the life-changing power of collective giving.
Looking Ahead
The celebration continues at the 2025 AIChE® Gala — Engineering a Decade of Impact — on December 3 at The Pierre Hotel in New York City. Funds raised from the Gala help support AIChE programs that attract and retain talent, enhance careers, invest in rising stars, and change the way the world sees chemical engineers and the impact we make.
A Toast to the Power of Philanthropy
As Jennifer Sinclair Curtis, Chair of the AIChE Foundation Board of Trustees, shared in her remarks: “Your generosity, vision, and dedication are driving AIChE forward — creating a brighter, more inclusive, and more sustainable future for us all.”
Cheers to the donors, volunteers, and leaders who continue to make Doing a World of Good possible — and to the next decade of impact.
*The Donor Recognition Dinner is an annual AIChE Foundation event. Invitations are open to donors who have given $1,000+ over the past 18 month, all Legacy Society members, and all McKetta Diamond, Platinum and Gold members.
