Jeffrey Seeman of Richmond, a visiting senior research scholar at the University of Richmond, has been inducted into the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fellows Program.

When Dave McCoy took over as chief of the University of Richmond Police in March, the department had just placed an order for a new Ford Crown Victoria – the cruiser of choice for many police departments nationwide. McCoy quickly canceled the order. In place of the Crown Vic, the department bought the university’s first hybrid vehicle, an unmarked 2011 Ford Fusion.

The Richmond Chapter of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities has selected E. Bruce Heilman, University of Richmond chancellor, as dinner chair for the 49th annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner Oct. 27 at the Richmond Marriott. The event honors individuals who have made significant humanitarian contributions to the greater Richmond community.

The University of Richmond has named five recipients of 2011 Distinguished Educator Awards. The awards went to L. Elizabeth Crawford of Richmond, associate professor of psychology; Brian Henry of Chesterfield, professor of English; Yvonne H. Howell of Richmond, professor of Russian and international studies; Shari Motro of Richmond, professor of law; and J. Thomas Wren of Henrico, professor of leadership studies.

CEOs in central Virginia have a more optimistic view of business and the economy looking ahead six months though the increase in optimism is small, and economic uncertainty remains a concern of most businesses.

Management professor Jeffrey Pollack last month gave students in his Innovation and Entrepreneurship class at the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business a project titled “14 dollars, 14 days.” Students were asked to raise as much value — defined at their discretion to mean social, monetary or other value — as possible in 14 days with 14 dollars.

Carol Parish, a University of Richmond chemistry professor, will receive an award from the American Chemical Society at its upcoming South Eastern regional meeting in Richmond for promoting diversity in the chemical sciences.

Carolyn Forché, award-winning poet and human rights activist for more than 30 years, will read at the University of Richmond Oct. 13, 7 p.m., as part of the annual English Department Writers Series.

A Federal Reserve governor, one of Fortune Magazine’s “50 most powerful people,” and the CEO of McCartney Music and Multimedia Inc. are among the speakers for the 2011-12 Robins Executive Speaker Series at the University of Richmond.

Sandra Moran, activist and member of the Guatemala Human Rights Commission, will speak on “Women’s Right to Live: Women Confronting Violence in Guatemala” Oct. 24, 7 p.m., at University of Richmond’s Carole Weinstein International Center.