In 1970, the Leopold Marcus Award was established at St. Louis University. This award was established by Jack Marcus, owner and founder of Missouri Analytical Laboratories, and his wife, Gertrude Marcus, in honor of his father, Leopold Marcus. The purpose of the award is to encourage high-level achievement in chemistry at the undergraduate level. The competition is open to seniors majoring in chemistry and biochemistry doing research in the SLU chemistry department under the supervision of a faculty member. The winner of the competition, determined by a ballot of judges who evaluate the entrants' poster presentations, receives a cash award and a certificate of achievement.