Two recent events by ChemClub have taken students out of the lab and into a more relaxed setting, strengthening social and professional bonds across programs of study, differing chemical disciplines, and all the Department's various research groups.
The Faculty Meet and Greet was held on the evening of October 16th at Smith House, bringing together over a dozen faculty to mingle with 40 graduate students.
"The Faculty Meet and Greet is the perfect opportunity to get to know profs from different disciplines in a casual and relaxed settings. For first year students and upper year students alike, it is a chance to connect with teaching faculty, research faculty and research facility staff which helps strengthen the sense of belonging in the community," said Sam Nyandwi, ChemClub's 2025/2026 president. "It is also a time of socialization between students who may be new to the department."
The Meet & Greet has been running every year since the university reopened after the Covid pandemic. "We’ve hosted it at the Smith House for this year and last year’s edition. We’ve received tremendous support from the chair and the associate chair who both attended. We certainly intend for this event to remain an annual tradition both students and faculty look forward to."
Meanwhile on October 30 at the St. George Campus, the pumpkin carving contest took place in the Davenport Atrium.
Philip Samokhin, ChemClub's Internal Events Coordinator, Prof. Haissi Cui and Keisha Cokely, representing the Chemistry Department Staff, acted as judges.
The winning pumpkin, pictured top right portrays a fume hood, and was carved by Marc Zambri of the Kluger Research group along with members of the Taylor group. Other entries included a banjo-playing pumpkin, some more traditional spooky entries, and one Bluejays pumpkin, in honor of the current world series run by Toronto's baseball team.
Looking to the future, ChemClub is preparing a series of social, professional and cultural events. "We’re excited to host the 2026 edition of ChemClub Networking Night in March 2026--one of the biggest professional events in the department," said Nyandwi.
"Students can also look forward to the Holiday Party and GSU pub night socials alongside a series of workshops with an upcoming LinkedIn workshop next month."
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