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Update on the construction and renovation efforts in the Sciences Division at Southern Nazarene University. Read impactful student stories and learn how to support SNU in its mission.
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A FOUNDATION OF EXCELLENCE
WITH DR. ED NEUENSCHWANDER
SNU STUDENTS PREPARE FOR GRAD
SCHOOL IN SUMMER RESEARCH
INSPIRING ALUMNI & STUDENT STORIES
SUMMER 2014 UPDATE
Highlights in this Issue:
Incoming SNU science students with professors in front of the new J.D. & Mary West Science Laboratory.
This excellent report of yet another high achieving academic class did not
come as a surprise. In fact, we have come to expect the aforementioned
outcomes - but we certainly do not take for granted the high academic
achievements of our graduates. The ancient Greek philosopher and scientist
Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act,
but a habit.” The excellence we have come to expect in the sciences at SNU
has been built over decades on a solid foundation of the best of teaching,
mentoring and learning in Christ-centered community.
The words of the Apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus have been in the
forefront of my thinking for some time now. He said:
“But since you excel in everything - in faith, in speech,
in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love
we have kindled in you - see that you also excel in this
grace of giving.” (2 Corinthians 8:7)
As I make frequent trips to view the construction progress on the fabulous
new J.D. and Mary West Science Laboratory, I am keenly aware that without
the “grace of giving” we would not be able to move into the first floor in the fall
semester and the second floor by the spring of 2015 – and we most certainly
would not have successfully funded Phase I of the Campaign.
We are now focused on Phase II funding (finishing out the second floor) - so,
if you have given to support this project – accept my sincere thanks on behalf
of the university and our students. If you have not yet given, we still need your
support in this phase of the Campaign for the Sciences.
As we begin the 116th academic year at SNU, we remain dedicated to the
mission of the university and the pillars of its motto, “Character, Culture, Christ.”
Dr. Loren Gresham President
It was thrilling to get the annual update of how our students in the Class
of 2014 fared in the highly competitive process of gaining acceptance
into graduate programs in the sciences. Here is the amazing report: ONE
HUNDRED percent of those who applied to medical, physicians assistant
programs and veterinary schools were accepted! What a great tribute to,
and affirmation of, the dedicated work of our gifted and committed faculty
– across all the disciplines – and the persistence of our outstanding
students.
1
Recent SNU graduate Laura Mino chose to attend SNU because it offered
opportunities for both intellectual and spiritual growth, but what left an even
greater impact were the relationships she built with faculty. When Mino
was unable to return to SNU for her sophomore year, her undergraduate
and graduate aspirations suddenly seemed tentative, but, bolstered by
scholarship money and concerned faculty, Mino was able to return to SNU,
graduating in May 2014 with a degree in environmental science. Mino
has already been accepted at Oklahoma State University in the Natural
Resources Ecology and Management graduate program.
Mino, a first-generation college graduate, credits much of her success to the
dedication of SNU faculty. “They were constantly keeping me accountable,
telling me about opportunities, encouraging me . . . I wouldn’t be where I am
today without the professors at SNU,” Mino says.
SNU science courses gave Laura the competitive
edge she needed to gain admission into a first-rate
graduate program, and she views the Campaign
for the Sciences as an opportunity to expand the
strong educational core of the SNU Science Division.
According to Mino, in order to continue offering
students this quality of education “we need to have competitive resources.
This means updated laboratory equipment, cutting-edge technology,
and the ability to maintain these resources.” She sees not just academic
significance in the Campaign for the Sciences, but spiritual as well, with the
ability to cultivate a passion for science within Christian students who can
use their education to transform their world.
Mino considers the opportunities provided her at SNU a primary motivation
as she furthers her education, wishing to give back to the university by
continuing its reputation of academic excellence.
FACULTY SUPPORT PROVES A STEPPING STONE FOR GRADUATE EDUCATION
Laura Mino
“They were constantly keeping me accountable, telling me about opportunities, encouraging me... I wouldn’t be where I am today without the professors at SNU.”
Quick fact: In 2014, 100% of SNU applicants were accepted to Oklahoma State University Vet School. 2
Conducting research on dogwood stems, Laura is working alongside an undergraduate student from OSU in a mentoring program.
Southern Nazarene University’s Science Division maintains a
strong and wide-spread reputation for excellence in producing
outstanding scientists, medical professionals, and researchers.
One of the many reasons is the hands-on, cutting-edge research
students are actively engaged in.
The learning environment at SNU’s Science Division has clearly
grown well beyond classroom instruction. Junior Biology-
Chemistry major Rachel Rindom and sophomore Chemistry major
Mickey DeMarzo are two students who are prime examples of
this. Thanks to the Oklahoma NASA Space
Grant, the duo spent this past summer
working in the SNU Summer Research
Experience. Their research project focused
on metal nanoparticles and their possible
antibacterial properties.
“This project has opened my eyes to the important applications
that research can have in different areas of medicine, and our own
research may have implications in the way that certain clinical
treatments are manufactured in the future,” said Rindom.
The duo was also recently given the opportunity to speak to a group
of their fellow students to discuss their research and findings.
“Basically, we optimized different syntheses of nanoparticles
and tested these nanoparticles for antibacterial properties using
different types of bacteria,” explained DeMarzo.
Rindom, who hails from Olathe, Kansas, said this research project
has helped fuel her passion for the sciences even further, and is
helping prepare her for the next stage of her education. She hopes
to attend Physician Assistant school either at the University of
Oklahoma or the University of Missouri-Kansas City and then spend
time serving in medical missions.
“Science is an area that has always intrigued me, especially
because of the many different focuses it includes,” she said. “I also
like to know how and why things work, and the sciences do a lot to
satisfy that curiosity.”
DeMarzo said his desire to enter the field of science was
similar to Rindom’s in that he has always been motivated to
know the “why” of the way things work. Discovering the “why”
was also one of the aspects he has enjoyed most about the
nanoparticle research project.
STUDENTS EXPLORE EXCELLENCE THROUGH CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH PROJECT
“The learning environment at SNU’s Science Division has clearly grown well beyond classroom instruction.”
Rachel Rindom & Mickey DeMarzo
“I also like to know how and why things work, and the sciences do a lot to satisfy that curiosity.”
Quick fact: This is the 6th year of conducting a summer research experience on SNU’s campus with professors and students.3
STUDENTS EXPLORE EXCELLENCE THROUGH CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH PROJECT
“This project has opened my eyes to the important applications that research can have in different areas of medicine…”
“The science behind every action that happens from a microscopic
level to overall body functions is absolutely fascinating to me,”
explained DeMarzo. “I could not have picked a better area in which
to be educated.”
Not only is DeMarzo focused on building excellence in his scientific
endeavors, but he is also focused on excellence on the gridiron as a
member of the Crimson Storm’s football team. While balancing the two
has not always been easy, he said maintaining such a heavy schedule
will help him tremendously as he transitions into the medical field after
college. He believes maintaining a healthy balance between football
and his scientific education will result in the strong work ethic that will
be needed for him to succeed at the graduate level.
Both students felt their opportunity to participate in the SNU
Summer Research Experience was just one of the many
outstanding resources and opportunities they encounter
on a daily basis in the sciences at SNU. While there are
many examples of this, DeMarzo said the best example of
excellence is found in the Division’s professors.
“I do consider SNU to have academic excellence because
the professors care about the students and encourage students to
succeed, and if anyone needs help, the professors always welcome
students to talk to them about any problem they have,” he explained.
The excellence modeled by her professors has inspired Rindom’s
growth and development at SNU. She said her professors have instilled
the confidence she needs to move forward in her future career.
“I have learned that you can do whatever you are passionate about,
especially in the sciences,” said Rindom. “You have to be willing to do
what it takes such as networking, shadowing, volunteering, or getting
out of your comfort zone.”
DeMarzo stressed the importance of alumni and donors helping
to ensure this level of excellence for future generations of science
students. He said their investment will allow students to have the same
opportunities he and Rindom have had by being able to participate in
real world research projects and receive a first-class education.
“Alumni and friends who give back to the Science Division can
impact and increase the number of incoming students that are
interested in science, and help upper-classmen get the education
they need to move on to whatever career they would like
to pursue,” he said.
For more on Rachel and Mickey, go to snu.edu/cfts
“I also like to know how and why things work, and the sciences do a lot to satisfy that curiosity.”
4
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE EDUCATION AT SNU
As the 116th academic year at SNU begins, so does the use of the first floor of the new J.D. & Mary West Science Laboratory. This 25,891 square foot
facility will provide areas for instruction and learning across several science disciplines. The entire SNU community is excited about this facility and how
it will meet the challenges of preparing students in the environment of today’s advances in technology and the sciences.
This new building is a result of SNU’s commitment to provide the best academic experience possible for our students. Our mission of transforming lives
through higher education in Christ-centered community will take place daily in the classrooms, laboratories, offices, and gathering spaces within it.
Phase I is funded – but the work is not done! The second floor, Phase II, is scheduled to be finished out and furnished for teaching and learning by
the spring semester of this academic year. Funding for this vital part of the Campaign is urgently needed in order to move forward, providing the
equipment and resources necessary for our Science Division to continue to excel.
Thanks to many alumni, friends, and corporate sponsors, the Campaign for the Sciences has successfully moved to where it is today – an excellent new
facility has been constructed. With your support and prayers, we can finish the task at hand – and continue the legacy of excellence in science at SNU!
Take an aerial tour of the J.D. & Mary West Science Laboratory at snu.edu/cfts
5
“I have enjoyed reading the updates for the Campaign for the Sciences! Reading about
students and professors at SNU brings back so many wonderful memories from when I was a
science student at SNU! I noticed that in the most recent publication there were no donations
from my Class of 2006, so I thought I would fix that. Keep the updates coming!”
-Kacey Torres Class of 2006
∙
PHASE I(FUNDED – PROJECTS COMPLETED OR IN PROGRESS)
(BEING FUNDED – PROJECTS IN PROGRESS)
(BEING FUNDED – PROJECTS IN PROGRESS)
PHASE II
PHASE III
DISSECTION OF GIVING
∙ Two–story laboratory addition south of the existing Beaver Science Building
∙ 25,891 square feet base building
∙ Four biology laboratories
∙ One biology research laboratory
∙ Laboratory support spaces
∙ Four offices and ancillary support spaces
∙ Three student gathering areas
∙ Finish and furnishing of second floor
∙ Three chemistry laboratories
∙ Two faculty offices
∙ One research laboratory
∙ Three student gathering areas
∙ Elevator and stair connection to W. Don Beaver Science Building
∙ Renovation of W. Don Beaver Science Building
∙ Greenhouse
Total gifts and pledges: $7,572,588.37
Alumni
Trustee & Foundation Boards
Friends
Corporate Support
Trusts & Estates
Foundations & Grants
35.17%
2.89%
22.32%
4.06%
16.54%
19.02%
HOW CAN WE SECURE THE FUTURE OF THE SNU SCIENCES?
Mail your gift or pledge using the enclosed card – OR – give securely online at www.snu.edu/giving
Pray for SNU faculty and students – and for those who will teach and learn in this new facility this year and in the years to come.
Identify prospective students and encourage them to visit SNU!
Tell others about this Campaign and let them know what SNU is doing.
Naming Opportunities for the Campaign for the Sciences are still available. Please contact the Office of University Advancement at 405-491-6311 or e-mail tbrant@snu.edu for any additional information.
Current & former faculty starting from left: Dr. Lisa Crow*, Dr. Daryl Cox, Dr. Mark Winslow*, Dr. Kenny Wantz, Dr. Lee Turner*, Dr. Leo Finkenbinder, Dr. Joanne Peterson*, Dr. Nancy Halliday, Dr. Brent Eskridge*, Dr. Sharon Young, Prof. Jim Tabers, Dr. Gene Heasley, Dr. Bob Judd, Dr. Shawna York*, Dr. Carrie Bentley*
*Current Faculty
Dr. Robert Judd leaving a lasting mark on the steel frame.
6
There are thousands of Southern Nazarene University graduates who are making a difference all over the world in the sciences. Whether it’s in the medical field, in research, teaching, or other scientific endeavors, the incredible contribution to the sciences these alumni are making is due to the strong foundation they received at Southern Nazarene University. Furthermore, there are a growing number of current students who are already
actively involved in making a difference by conducting cutting- edge research through the SNU Summer Research Experience. We’ve profiled many of these former and current students and their research endeavors over the past couple of years in our Campaign for the Sciences newsletters. Here is a short update on some of the alumni we’ve profiled in the past, as well as a look at what types of projects current students are working on as part of the SNU Summer Research Experience.
RECENT GRADUATES
MARY SIEMS OU Med School
Mary is a second year student at the University of Oklahoma
College of Medicine While in her first year of medical school,
Mary was involved with several interest groups and on campus
organizations. She also participated in a mission trip with the OU
Health Science Center Christian Medical and Dental Association.
Mary believes that SNU provided a solid foundation for her
current success in medical school.
MICHAEL KETCHAM Putnam City High School, OKC
Michael is in his second year of teaching at Putnam City High
School. He taught biology last year and is looking forward to
teaching biology and environmental science this school year.
Michael feels SNU prepared him well for teaching and serving in
public schools.
JOHNNIE WEST Continental Resources of Oklahoma City
After graduation in 2013, Johnnie accepted a job at Continental
Resources of Oklahoma City. She is a member of the Reservoir
Engineering Application Group. Daily duties revolve around
petrophysical analysis, mathematical analysis, model development
and data management. “My SNU degree comes into play in
different aspects of my job, from applying physics concepts, to
analyzing various data types and utilizing my strong mathematical
background to develop models of our data,” said West.
BRENNAN DICHIARA Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas Brennan landed a job as an Actuarial Associate on the Client
Analytics Team at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. He is
currently on his fourth actuarial exam that allows him to become
an Associate of the Society of Actuaries and plans to take more
testing for higher credentials in the near future.
AMANDA SIX OU Physician’s Assistant School
After graduating this spring, Amanda was admitted to the
University of Oklahoma’s Physician’s Assistant program this
summer. She is excited and knows that SNU has given her the
tools to be successful in her pursuit to finish her schooling and
realize her dream of working with the underserved communities
of the Muskogee Creek Nation in Northeast Oklahoma.
Mary Siems presenting in an elementary school
Michael Ketcham Johnnie West Brennan DiChiara Amanda Six
SNU Summer Research Experience Mickey DeMarzo, Rachel Rindom, Jared Galbraith and Byron Crouch
CURRENT STUDENT SUMMER RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT
Oklahoma Summer Healthcare Internship CJ Hornback
University of Nebraska’s Summer Medical Education Program Bethany Calvert
Texas Tech University Computer Science Department Research Experience Mary Jo Galbraith
Texas A&M Cyclotron Institute REU Program Ray Niazi
Johns Hopkins Summer Institute in Anatomy Miranda Garlett & Gentry Smith
For more information, go to snu.edu/cfts
7
The excellence practiced throughout scientific and medical communities by Southern Nazarene University graduates is not just global, but impacts the far reaches of outer space as well.
Dr. Truell Hyde has kept his head in the stars for most of his life. As a child, Dr. Hyde’s interest in music, science, and reading led him to reach for the stars and develop a fascination with the U.S. space program through the Apollo missions to the moon. Now, this 1978 graduate of SNU no longer dreams of space – he is on the forefront of studying the detailed physics of space.
Dr. Hyde is currently a tenured full professor at Baylor University and serves as the Vice Provost for Research (VPR), and the Director of the Center for Astrophysics, Space Physics & Engineering Research (CASPER).
“In my role as the Director of CASPER, I maintain an active and well-funded research program in space and physics,” said Dr. Hyde. “We publish around sixteen papers a year through this center, which is a good record in physics.”
The educational foundation he received at SNU and his spiritual growth during those years are some of the factors that led Dr. Hyde to Baylor, and
he has become a strong advocate for the benefits of Christian higher education. In fact, he has seen many of his PhD graduates continue their work at Christian universities.
“My last PhD graduate was offered positions at both Princeton and Max Planck, but took a position at Ouachita Baptist in Arkansas instead.
She caught the bug,” explained Dr. Hyde. “A professor exploring his or her research in an intellectually honest manner and free to integrate his or her faith into the discussion impacts lives in a profound way.”
Dr. Hyde, who is a third generation graduate of SNU, said supporting the sciences is important at all universities, but supporting Christian universities is even more vital in creating the excellence that comes when faith in Christ meets science.
“Although there is a growing need for young people to choose careers in science and engineering, there is an even more powerful need for Christians to enter these fields with both strong academic and spiritual preparation,” he said.
Donating to the Campaign for the Sciences at SNU is an excellent way to join Dr. Hyde in supporting Christian higher education. Your financial support will ensure a first class education at SNU – where faith and learning result in science graduates prepared to impact their world for Christ.
REACHING FOR THE STARSDr. Truell Hyde
“There is a powerful need for Christians to enter [science and engineering] with both strong academic and spiritual preparation.”
Mary Siems presenting in an elementary school
8
For Dr. Todd Moore, Bethany Nazarene College wasn’t just the school next door, it
“was part of growing up” for him. In the same town he fondly remembers visiting
his grandparents and attending family functions, Moore attended a university he
still calls home, and we now call Southern Nazarene University.
As an undergrad at SNU, Moore majored in Chemistry and also minored in
Spanish, which was a passion he developed after spending summers on mission
trips to South America. Moore then attended Northwestern University where he
received his M.D. and completed his residency at the University of Missouri-
Kansas City. After practicing for two years, Moore accepted a fellowship in
Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston
for one year.
Moore and his family then moved to Kansas City, and he started a fellowship
program affiliated with St. Luke’s Hospital where he still serves today. The
program mentors young surgeons entering the medical field, helps develop
their skill sets, and prepares them for a career in medicine. Moore acts as
chairman of the department and is involved at the health system level on
boards and committees that pay close attention to governance, efficiency, and
strategic planning.
Looking back on his experience at SNU, Moore values the
mentorship of professors and the investment they made in his
education. “A unique thing about SNU,” says Moore, “is how you
can become so close to your professors and how they can have a significant role
in not just your education, but your life as a whole.” The university strengthened
Moore’s belief system and helped him confidently assert himself and his faith
into a world of science.
SNU’s pre-med program prepared Moore for a successful career and provided
resources to integrate his faith and profession. “Medicine has its limitations
and then God has to take over,” says Moore. The Campaign for the Sciences
is providing resources for future students to share in Dr. Moore’s experience
and is creating a framework for future alumni to make a lasting impact on the
world, while holding tightly to God as their foundation. The University’s mission
of transforming lives through higher education in Christ-centered community is
building a core of educated and faith-centered men and women in medicine.
BUILDING UP AND INVESTING IN WHAT MATTERS MOST
Dr. B. Todd Moore
“Medicine has its limitations and then God has to take over.”
Dr. Moore in surgery
Quick fact: Of the SNU students who applied for PA School, Medical School and Vet School in 2014, 100% were accepted.9
Since its inception, Southern Nazarene University strived for excellence in the sciences, a hallmark that would not be possible without a foundation of committed and passionate faculty. One such faculty member is Dr. Ed Neuenschwander, who has served the SNU community as a physics professor for nearly thirty years. During his time at SNU, Dr. Neuenschwander has not only garnered a reputation as a scholar in his field but also among students for his zeal for science and life.
Dr. Neuenschwander’s ability to inspire students is largely due to his own journey and the invaluable contributions of peers, role models, and mentors along the way. From an 8th grade English teacher to undergraduate and graduate science faculty, the authentic teaching styles of invested instructors left a lasting impression that is evidenced in Dr. Neuenschwander’s classroom today.
For faculty at SNU, however, investment in students’ lives goes beyond the classroom, and Dr. Neuenschwander is no exception. “I learn more from my students than they learn from me,” he says. Long van rides on field trips with physics majors enable conversations about life, and his general education Science, Technology, and Society course requires students to engage with complex and relevant issues.
The significance of these conversations is not lost on Dr. Neuenschwander, who works to stay relevant in his field so he can continue to challenge students and prepare them for success. His column, “Elegant
Connections in Physics,” a collection of over a hundred articles, has been featured in the Society of Physics Students and the Sigma Pi Sigma physics honor society magazines. Additionally, he has published two books with Johns Hopkins University Press, one of which is scheduled for release this October, and is currently working on a third.
Dedication and expertise of faculty like Dr. Neuenschwander are key in developing the potential of SNU science students. The J.D. & Mary West Science Laboratory will give professors the resources to match their proficiency. Dr. Neuenschwander adds, “It takes creativity and passion to consistently do much with little. The faculty at SNU consistently do much with little. Having learned how to do that, what would happen if the resources available to them caught up with their dreams?”
Continued development of SNU’s science facilities will equip professors to best transform their passion for science into exceptional classroom instruction, building upon the foundation of excellence laid by current resources.
For more on Dr. Neuenschwander, go to snu.edu/cfts
A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCEDr. Ed Neuenschwander
SNU professors and physics students make biennial treks to the Very Large Array of telescopes near Socorro, NM.
Dr. Neuenschwander with recent graduate Johnnie West.
Quick fact: Of the SNU students who applied for PA School, Medical School and Vet School in 2014, 100% were accepted. Quick fact: In 2014 100% of SNU applicants from the Kinesiology Program were accepted into a doctoral program in Physical Therapy. 10
“I learn more from my students than they learn from me.”
OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
snu.edu/cfts
6729 NW 39th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008
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