Rose-Hulman's Rebecca DeVasher Receives Grant to Benefit Terre Haute Buddy Walk
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Rose-Hulman Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Rebecca DeVasher, PhD, received a mini-grant to provide sustainable grab bags and educational opportunities for the Terre Haute Buddy Walk.
Rose-Hulman Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Rebecca DeVasher, PhD, received a mini-grant from the Committee on Environment and Sustainability of the American Chemical Society to connect campus, chemistry, and community. The Community Catalyst project will enable DeVasher, along with the Rose-Hulman Iota chapter of the Alpha Chi Sigma chemistry honor society and the humanitarian design team Make It Happen, to provide 150 sustainable grab bags to participants in the 2027 Terre Haute Buddy Walk.
"I am passionate about education for sustainability and inclusion," said DeVasher. "I want our students to get involved in projects within the community and to experience the joy of supporting a great cause.”
The Buddy Walk has been the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome in the United States since 1995 and is the world's most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community. The Terre Haute Buddy Walk, hosted by Down Syndrome Indiana, is a one-mile walk that raised nearly $50,000 during the 2026 event.
DeVasher and Alpha Chi Sigma members hope to raise environmental and sustainability awareness through providing grab bags, as well as demonstrations and giveaways, to help communicate everyday applications of green and sustainable chemistry principles.
“The core benefits of green chemistry principles span human health, the environment, and the economy,” DeVasher said. “By communicating everyday applications of green and sustainable chemistry principles to the broader community, individuals can create safer working conditions, become more environmentally responsible in making everyday household chemical choices, and reduce home cleaning product costs.”
The Chemistry on Wheels outreach group of the Alpha Chi Sigma chapter has been connected to the project from its inception, engaging in meetings with community organizers alongside DeVasher.
"I hope students take away a sense of tangible impact their positive actions can have on community,” DeVasher said. “People in our community want to connect with Rose-Hulman, and I hope our students will experience the greater sense of purpose that comes from science education outreach.”
DeVasher is appreciative of the support behind the Community Catalyst project, including from the Committee on Environment and Sustainability; Department Head and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Ross Weatherman, PhD; Alpha Chi Sigma faculty advisor and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Mark Brandt; and Alpha Chi Sigma service chair and junior chemistry major Olivia Carey. In the broader Terre Haute community, Danny Boyce, Mary Boland, Stephanie Chiado, and Dixie Russell have also helped to enable both this project and the Terre Haute Buddy Walk.
"I am passionate about education for sustainability and inclusion," said DeVasher. "I want our students to get involved in projects within the community and to experience the joy of supporting a great cause.”
The Buddy Walk has been the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome in the United States since 1995 and is the world's most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community. The Terre Haute Buddy Walk, hosted by Down Syndrome Indiana, is a one-mile walk that raised nearly $50,000 during the 2026 event.
DeVasher and Alpha Chi Sigma members hope to raise environmental and sustainability awareness through providing grab bags, as well as demonstrations and giveaways, to help communicate everyday applications of green and sustainable chemistry principles.
“The core benefits of green chemistry principles span human health, the environment, and the economy,” DeVasher said. “By communicating everyday applications of green and sustainable chemistry principles to the broader community, individuals can create safer working conditions, become more environmentally responsible in making everyday household chemical choices, and reduce home cleaning product costs.”
The Chemistry on Wheels outreach group of the Alpha Chi Sigma chapter has been connected to the project from its inception, engaging in meetings with community organizers alongside DeVasher.
"I hope students take away a sense of tangible impact their positive actions can have on community,” DeVasher said. “People in our community want to connect with Rose-Hulman, and I hope our students will experience the greater sense of purpose that comes from science education outreach.”
DeVasher is appreciative of the support behind the Community Catalyst project, including from the Committee on Environment and Sustainability; Department Head and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Ross Weatherman, PhD; Alpha Chi Sigma faculty advisor and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Mark Brandt; and Alpha Chi Sigma service chair and junior chemistry major Olivia Carey. In the broader Terre Haute community, Danny Boyce, Mary Boland, Stephanie Chiado, and Dixie Russell have also helped to enable both this project and the Terre Haute Buddy Walk.