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Michael Garrison and Dr. John D. Stenger-Smith examine a bottle of Diiobutylaluminum hydride before beginning a reaction. Photo by L. Stenger-Smith
Michael Garrison and Dr. John D. Stenger-Smith examine a bottle of Diiobutylaluminum hydride before beginning a reaction. Photo by L. Stenger-Smith

CCCC Student Gets Perfect Score on National Standardized Organic Chemistry Exam

Ridgecrest, CA – August 2, 2006

Michael Garrison, a student at Cerro Coso Community College, earned a perfect score on the American Chemical Society Division of Education Standardized Organic Chemistry Exam during Finals Week in May of 2006. This exam, a 2-hour, 70-question, multiple- choice test, is the cumulative final for Cerro Coso Community College's year-long Organic Chemistry for Majors class.

Mr. Garrison received recognition from the Mojave Desert Section of the American Chemical Society, as well as a note of congratulation from Dr. John McMurry, the author of the Organic Chemistry textbook used at Cerro Coso.

"This is a tremendous achievement for Michael", says Dr. John D. Stenger-Smith, Professor of Chemistry at Cerro Coso. "I've neither known nor heard of anyone who received a perfect score until now. Of all the students taking the exam around the country this past year, fewer than 10 will receive a perfect score."

PhD Research Chemists at the China Lake NAWCWD Chemistry division were also very impressed with Mr. Garrison's score. "The ACS Organic Chemistry Exam covers a wide variety of Organic Chemistry topics in detail. Michael's perfect score shows an incredible amount of understanding and chemical intuition."

Michael Garrison also won the Mathematics Student of the Year and Physical Science Student of the year awards at Cerro Coso Community College.

Mathematics Professor Dean Bernsten adds, "Michael's score on the ACS Exam is truly impressive. I have been the instructor on record for over 3000 students in mathematics, and I say without a doubt that Michael Garrison is the 'Student of a Career' for me."

Michael intends on majoring in Chemical Engineering at either the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University, Harvey Mudd College, or the University of California.

 

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