Biology Department
Biology Department News 1997 -1998
May 98
- Southwestern Biology Graduates Receive a Mound of Honors. The biology, marine biology, and biochemistry programs presented bachelor's degrees to 21 students on May 3rd. Our group of graduates was quite impressive. They included four out of six of this year's Masterbuilders, five out of eight of this year's valedictorians, nine Presidential Scholars, nine of twenty students elected to the Order of the Mound, six members of Who's Who Among Students, and thirteen members of Beta Beta Beta. Whew!! Quite a group.
- Carolyn Herman Leaves Southwestern. Carolyn Herman announced that she was leaving her position as associate professor of chemistry after eight years with the campus. Carolyn is intending to follow other teaching and professional pursuits for the next few years with her husband, Rick Gregory. She has played an important role in the lives of many biology students as an advisor and mentor. Carolyn was instrumental in initiating undergraduate research projects at Southwestern through her use of student driven research in her classes and her work on the NSF Grant. Her influential work with the pre-med advisory committee will be especially missed. Carolyn and Rick will begin their new adventures with a partner as they are expecting a child in August. Please join us in wishing them safe passage in all their new endeavors.
- New Chemistry Professor Hired. In order to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Carolyn Herman, Southwestern conducted a nationwide search for a new chemistry faculty member. Among the many talented candidates we interviewed, we settled upon Michael Tessmer. Michael received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in the discipline of Medicinal Chemistry and his B.S. in Chemistry from Mankato State University also located in Minnesota. Currently, he has been teaching Chemistry at Shawnee State University in Ohio. Michael will be teaching General Chemistry and an LAS course entitled Drugs: Research and Reward. He plans on moving to Winfield sometime this summer with his wife, Joy.
Feb 98
- Beech Science Center and Mabee Laboratory Complex Opens. At a formal dedication
ceremony held on Friday, January 16th the new science building was officially
opened. Students and faculty have eagerly moved into the new facility and the positive
reaction has been overwhelming. With the passing weeks, the new building is beginning to
feel like home. The microscopes and specimens have made the transition from the rusty
storage cabinets and dusty shelves of Mossman to their new locations. The comparative
anatomy lab has begun to acquire its characteristic 'eau du vertebrata'. Cultures are
developing in the microbiology lab and plants are growing in the botany lab. Even Alvin
has gotten accustomed to his spacious new tank and sunning platform. If you have not had a
chance to visit, please come and stop by. I know that any faculty member or student would
be proud to show off our new home.
Building Facts
Lower Level Floor Plan
Upper Level Floor Plan
Dedication Press Release
Photos of Construction - Beta Beta Beta Initiates New Members. The biology honor society initiated six new members in a ceremony held in January. This is the first formal initiation ceremony that the Southwestern chapter has held in many years. The ceremony also included the inauguration of the first chapter book to hold the signatures of all active members. The new initiates were Ashley Helfrich, Karen Freeman, Jason Siemens, John Nelson, Jonathan Conard, and Marc Parrish. The chapter is planning to hold a variety of Earth Day activities in April as well as attending the district meeting of BBB held at Reis Biological Field Station in Missouri. For more information on the activities of BBB, please check our web site.
Sep 97
- NSF Grant Awarded to SC Biologists. Southwestern College has been awarded an NSF Grant to develop a scientific research project for the general education program. Carolyn Herman and Charlie Hunter wrote the proposal which will bring investigative research projects into the LAS program. Gene Young has been hired to help coordinate the activities of this four year grant. A copy of the proposal is only a click away.
- Biology Hires Two New Faculty. This new school year brings two new faculty members to Mossman Hall, one new face and one old. Patrick Ross is our new ecologist and will be teaching Ecology and Genetics/Evolution this fall. He will also be taking on the advisorial responsibilities of BBB, the biology honor society. Pat was most recently at Truman State University where he had completed a three year visiting professorship. Pat and his wife, Julie, were married just prior to their arrival in Winfield. Our other new faculty member, Gene Young, should be a familiar face to many of you. Gene was hired to help coordinate our new NSF grant involving the LAS program. He will be teaching Planet Earth in the fall. Gene has a long association with SC. He earned his bachelor's degree from SC in 1989 before completing a master's degree at Fort Hays State University. He then returned to SC to teach in 1993 as part of a sabbatical replacement. Most recently, he has been involved in research on endangered species in Missouri. Gene, his wife Cindy, and son Brandon have just added a girl, Bailey, to their family. Congratulations to our new faculty and their families.
- Construction of New Science Center on Schedule. The construction on the new Science Center is proceeding along on schedule. Everyday a new piece falls into place and our shared vision for the future of science at Southwestern College comes closer to reality. The new facility will be tremendous and will include several large teaching labs, including a lab devoted to undergraduate research. There will also be a new large lecture hall with state of the art teaching technology, several large aquaria on the first floor, and an improved, larger facility for Alvin the Alligator. Faculty are eager to move into their new quarters before the start of the spring semester. The various stages of construction can be viewed on our campus tour web page. The new science center is sure to become one of the landmark buildings of the SC campus.
