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.

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

1. Review Available Elements
2. 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.
3. Submit Payment - Donations can be made on the WMU Donation page, or by check. 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)

Mails checks to:

WMU Foundation - Gift Processing
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5403 USA

Please make sure to include Department of Chemistry, Element Name, and description for plaque. 

  4. 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 or Ana Rau.

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

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

53. I (Iodine) $1,000

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