Available Elements
Mounted prominently in the main foyer of the Chemistry Building is a large scale periodic table mural. Donors are recognized by plaques that appear on the sponsored element. Elements can be sponsored at the levels indicated in the table below by contacting our office.
Support Department of Chemistry students when they experience personal or other crises
Funds from the sale of elements are used to support students when they experience issues that could interfere with their studies. Over $65,000 has been raised and several students have been helped with the proceeds (for example, for students to attend family funerals overseas and assistance after a student's belongings were destroyed in a building fire). Please sponsor an element and support WMU students.
Chemistry Element Purchase Process
- Review Available Elements
Visit the Chemistry Element Fund website to view currently available elements:
https://wmich.edu/chemistry/giving/element/available - Submit Your Request
Email Courtney Buckmaster with the following information:- Element you wish to purchase
- Amount
- Name, dedication, or message to appear on the element plaque
- Contact information (name, email address, and phone number)
- The Department of Chemistry will confirm availability. The element will be marked as 'Pending' until funds are received.
- Submit Payment - Credit Card or Check
Credit Card - Donations can be made here, on the WMU Donation page. In the search bar type, “Elemental Chemistry Student Fund”, click “Add Fund” and press the next button. Follow the next steps to input your information. *on the next page under, “Gift Options”, please check, “Would you like to provide additional comments or special instructions for your gift?” In the comments add the following information:
- Element you wish to purchase
- Amount
- Name, dedication, or message to appear on the element plaque
- Contact information (name, email address, and phone number)
Check - Make checks payable to WMU Department of Chemistry, Elemental Fund. Please note the element being purchased in the memo line. Mail payment to:
WMU Department of Chemistry
Attn: Courtney Buckmaster
1903 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5413
4. Fund Processing
Upon receipt, the Department of Chemistry forwards all donations to the WMU Foundation, part of University Advancement, located in Heritage Hall. The Foundation manages and distributes these funds to the appropriate departments on a semiannual basis.
5. Recognition and Installation
Once the Department of Chemistry receives the funds, the website will be updated to reflect the completed purchase, and the commemorative plaque will be ordered and installed.
Questions? Contact Courtney Buckmaster.
Element values:
$10,000 (Precious metals)
$5,000 (Biochemically essential, bulk)
$1,000 (Noble gases)
$1,000 (Transuranics)
$1,000 (Predicted, unnamed)
$500 (other)
Choose from the available elements
8. O (Oxygen) $5,000
11. Na (Sodium) $5,000 - Pending
12. Mg (Magnesium) $1,000
15. P (Phosphorus) $5,000
16. S (Sulfur) $5,000
18. Ar (Argon) $1,000 - Pending
41. Nb (Niobium) $1,000 - Pending
43. Tc (Technetium) $500
46. Pd (Palladium) $10,000
47. Ag (Silver) $10,000
49. In (Indium) $500
52. Te (Tellurium) $500 - Pending
53. I (Iodine) $1,000
58. Ce (Cerium) $500
59. Pr (Praseodymium) $500
63. Eu (Europium) $500
65. Tb (Terbium) $500
67. Ho (Holmium) $500
68. Er (Erbium) $500
69. Tm (Thulium) $500
70. Yb (Ytterbium) $500
71. Lu (Lutetium) $500
73. Ta (Tantalum) $500
78. Pt (Platinum) $10,000
79. Au (Gold) $10,000 - Pending
81. Tl (Thallium) $500
89. Ac (Actinium) $500
93. Np (Neptunium) $1,000
96. Cm (Curium) $1,000
100. Fm (Fermium) $1,000
102. No (Nobelium) $1,000
104. Rf (Rutherfordium) $1,000 - Pending
105. Db (Dubnium) $1,000
107. Bh (Bohrium) $1,000
108. Hs (Hassium) $1,000
109. Mt (Meitnerium) $1,000
111. Rg (Roentgenium) $1,000
112. Cn (Copernicium) $1,000
113. Nh (Nihonium) $1,000
114. Fl (Flerovium) $1,000
115. Mc (Moscovium) $1,000
117. Ts (Tennessine) $1,000
118. Og (Oganesson) $1,000