WASHINGTON (Oct. 27, 2025) – On October 20, the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) proudly hosted the Swings for STEM golf tournament at Lansdowne Golf Course in Leesburg, Virginia. The event culminated in a $111,000 donation benefitting the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) and Creating Exciting Futures in STEM (CEFinSTEM), surpassing last year’s inaugural donation of $75,000.
The second annual tournament brought together more than 100 chemical industry professionals, association leaders, FOSSI scholars, and Congressional staff, showcasing the power of public and private sector collaboration in expanding awareness of and access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. CEFinSTEM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring K–8 students to pursue STEM education and careers by providing free, hands-on learning programs and resources. FOSSI encourages students to pursue a STEM education at HBCUs, helping fill this essential workforce gap and giving the chemical industry the ability to tap into future innovators.
“As research and development becomes increasingly important in today’s workplace, STEM education is a critical tool to our members’ ability to remain competitive,” said ACD President and CEO Eric R. Byer. “This successful event was a great opportunity for our industry to come together to not only invest in our future but to raise awareness and financial support for these well-deserving scholars. Thanks to our generous attendees and sponsors, we proudly supported FOSSI and CEFinSTEM, helping to empower the next generation of creative problem-solvers.
ACC President and CEO Chris Jahn added, “The chemical industry has long recognized that a strong STEM workforce is essential to our nation’s competitiveness, and we’ve acted on that belief. Through FOSSI, our industry was among the first to invest in HBCU students at this scale, creating meaningful pathways into careers in our industry. Swings for STEM is more than a fundraiser, it’s a call to action. By supporting programs like FOSSI and CEFinSTEM, our industry is advocating for a future where STEM education is accessible and aligned with workforce needs. Programs like these are essential to building a qualified talent pipeline and helping to ensure America’s continued manufacturing leadership.”
Scholar Caitlyn Thompson, a Chemical Engineering major at Howard University, stated, “Attending Swings for STEM was an amazing experience. As a FOSSI scholar, having the opportunity to meet and engage with the people who make this scholarship possible was truly rewarding. From connecting with other scholars to golfing and participating in professional development activities, Swings for STEM 2025 was an unforgettable experience that I will continue to talk about. I’m excited to see how it continues to grow in the years to come.”
ACC and ACD extend their gratitude to the event’s presenting sponsor Dow, as well as:
- Eastman Chemical Company
- Chevron Phillips Chemical LP
- Catalynt
- Brenntag North America, Inc.
- Deloitte
- The American Cleaning Institute
- The American Coatings Association
- American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
- Beveridge & Diamond PC
- The Household & Commercial Products Association
- PLASTICS Industry Association
- The Vinyl Institute
- Washington Examiner
- Thompson Hine LLP
- Chemours
- The Chlorine Institute
- CropLife America
- The Adhesive & Sealant Council
To learn more about FOSSI visit www.FutureofSTEMScholars.org. Scholarship applications are open until January 15th, 2026.
To learn more about CEFinSTEM, visit www.cefinstem.org.
