From Fairways to Futures: Swings for STEM Raises $100,000

Leesburg, VA (October 29, 2026) - The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) and American Chemistry Council (ACC) joined forces Monday for the third annual Swings for STEM golf tournament, raising $100,000 to support the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. The event brought together stakeholders from industry, government and academia for a day of friendly competition and fundraising benefiting the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) and Creating Exciting Futures in STEM (CEFinSTEM), two organizations that seek to inspire, support, and expand access to STEM education.

"The future of our industry depends on the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators, and we have a responsibility to help them succeed," said Eric R. Byer, President and CEO of ACD. "Swings for STEM is about more than raising money. It's about opening doors, building relationships, and giving talented young people the opportunity to see what's possible in the chemical distribution industry. We're incredibly grateful to our sponsors, donors, and participants for helping us invest in the next generation of STEM leaders."

"Chemistry is at the heart of American innovation, and maintaining that leadership starts with investing in the next generation," added Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council. "When we launched FOSSI, our goal was to create new pathways into STEM careers and strengthen the chemical industry's talent pipeline. Today, more than 900 scholarships have been funded through that effort. Swings for STEM reflects that same vision, bringing industry and policy partners together to raise nearly $300,000 over the past three years.

The event also featured a dedicated student program for FOSSI scholars, combining a golf clinic, leadership development workshop, and networking opportunities.

FOSSI Scholar Brandon Simmons was one of nearly 20 scholarship recipients who attended the event, sharing, "My experience at Swings for STEM was truly rewarding. I enjoyed learning new techniques and connecting with fellow FOSSI scholars from different schools. The event was a great opportunity to build relationships, share experiences, and grow alongside other scholars. I'm grateful to FOSSI for creating opportunities like this that foster both personal growth and a strong sense of community.

To learn more about FOSSI visit www.FutureofSTEMScholars.org. Scholarship applications are open until January 8th, 2027. Eligible students can apply here.

To learn more about CEFinSTEM, visit www.cefinstem.org.

ACC and ACD extend their gratitude to the sponsors who made this event possible:

• The American Cleaning Institute
• The American Coatings Association
• American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
• Astro Chemicals
• CGCN
• Chevron Phillips Chemical LP
• Dow
• Eastman Chemical Company
• The Fertilizer Institute
• Highland Advocacy Group
• Holland & Knight
• The Household & Commercial Products Association
• Mehlman Consulting
• OGR
• PLASTICS Industry Association
• Russell Reynolds Associates
• Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA)
• Solstice
• Squared Communications
• Targeted Victory
• Thompson Hine LLP
• Tunnl
• The Vinyl Institute
• Washington Examiner