Dr. Brandon Magers Honored With 2025 Johnnie-Marie Whitfield Service Award

JACKSON, Miss. (Dec. 11, 2025) — The Mississippi Local Section of the American Chemical Society recognized Belhaven University professor Dr. Brandon Magers with its 2025 Johnnie-Marie Whitfield Service Award. The award, presented during the organization’s annual banquet, honors one individual who has demonstrated significant service to the chemical sciences in Mississippi.

Magers serves as professor and chair of chemistry and physics at Belhaven University. He earned his undergraduate degree from Mississippi College and his doctorate in computational chemistry from the University of Georgia. The Mississippi Local Section selected Magers for his dedication to his colleagues, students and peers across numerous leadership roles.

At Belhaven, Magers serves as the Faculty Fellow of Instructional Technology, where he supports faculty in integrating innovative teaching strategies and technologies in the classroom. He has also sponsored the university’s ACS Student Chapter for 11 years.

Within the Mississippi Local Section, Magers has been an active officer for six years and currently serves as alternate counselor. In 2024, he chaired the organizing committee that revitalized the Southeast Undergraduate Research Conference. The event now attracts more than 250 participants from across the region. He also leads the newly established board of directors for the conference as its inaugural chair.

Most recently, Magers helped establish the Mississippi Emerging Research Institution Council and was elected by his peers as its inaugural chair. The council represents 11 institutions statewide and supports collaboration and advocacy for undergraduate research.

Magers’ commitment to advancing chemistry education and undergraduate research exemplifies the spirit of the Johnnie-Marie Whitfield Service Award.