�鶹��Ƶ to Offer Bachelor of Science Degree Beginning Fall 2026</h1> <article> <h1>�鶹��Ƶ to Offer Bachelor of Science Degree Beginning Fall 2026</h1> <p>mreed — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 19:20:14 +0000</p> <span>�鶹��Ƶ to Offer Bachelor of Science Degree Beginning Fall 2026</span> <span><span>mreed</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-10-16T15:20:14-04:00" title="Thursday, October 16, 2025 - 15:20">Thu, 10/16/2025 - 15:20</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The new degree gives students pursuing a wide range of eligible majors—from biochemistry and computer science to psychology and economics—the opportunity to graduate with either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS), depending on the balance of their coursework. Students who complete at least one BS-eligible major and 16 full courses carrying the Natural Science and Mathematics designation may choose to receive the BS degree.</p><aside class="pull obj-right"><div class="basic-box basic-box--light"><h2 class="small-headline">Majors Eligible for</h2><h2 class="small-headline">the Bachelor of Science:</h2><ul class="list--clean"><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="5124b507-99df-4595-9104-bdb9c6a22310" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry">Biochemistry</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="5954f263-77c8-4106-80db-2cb993408d8a" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Biology">Biology</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/business/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="8ad7fc7e-532c-4cd8-9b35-8391defc685b" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Business">Business</a></li><li><a href="/biochemistry" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="755c73bb-f2ba-4bbe-bfb4-8fc57b94dd7c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Biochemistry">Chemistry</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="b1e2c8e5-2a8b-4967-8a6d-f8ce5cea4476" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Computer Science">Computer Science</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="fe3d12fe-2a64-4438-b738-5fe696675b00" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Data Science">Data Science</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="30752c27-cce4-4efa-9ba3-c310d98b61a7" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Economics">Economics</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-science/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="66900a61-06bd-4aa7-9555-e85efa26654b" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Environmental Science">Environmental Science</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/finance/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="6911f8f3-bb76-4a72-a710-9869a094b462" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Financial Economics">Financial Economics</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="0a12379d-58d4-489b-a75d-68d46edd4214" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Geosciences">Geosciences</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/global-health" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="cf90288b-047f-4d2f-ac3a-91691901fde1" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Global Health">Global Health</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="50eb3820-b9e6-4a08-b060-92ebf3b1a4eb" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Mathematics">Mathematics</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/neuroscience/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="8e28996c-7931-4f76-912f-28f4ec621121" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Neuroscience">Neuroscience</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="d36e1693-1165-4e42-ac58-9f9bfb1b9a0d" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Physics and Astronomy">Physics</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2655a549-4d67-4820-a808-9a7fb471e11f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Psychology">Psychology</a></li></ul></div></aside><p>“This is an important evolution for �鶹��Ƶ,” says David Kamitsuka, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “The Bachelor of Science degree reflects the strength of our existing programs and the multidisciplinary nature of scientific work today. It gives our students new ways to signal the depth of their scientific training. For example, in all of the eligible majors, undergraduates routinely co-author with their faculty mentors in scholarly peer-reviewed scientific journals.”</p><p>Kamitsuka noted that several programs outside traditional STEM areas—such as economics, business, and psychology—also qualify for the BS. “That reflects how today’s problems are solved,” he says. “Understanding markets, managing complex organizations, and studying human behavior all require the same analytical and evidence-based thinking we teach in the natural sciences. The BS degree captures that spirit of interdisciplinary inquiry grounded in the liberal arts tradition that is at the heart of an �鶹��Ƶ education.</p><p>The new degree will also broaden �鶹��Ƶ’s appeal to prospective students. Across U.S. higher education, more than half of all international students pursue <a href="/arts-and-sciences/sciences-at-oberlin" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="6b83b150-0f8e-435b-9594-08382bdb4e2f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Sciences at �鶹��Ƶ">degrees in STEM or science-related fields</a>—a trend that makes �鶹��Ƶ’s new BS degree especially attractive to global applicants.</p><p>For people like Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Jason Belitsky, the degree represents a way to better acknowledge the work many students already do.</p><p>“Our students in chemistry, physics, biology, and related disciplines already engage in extensive lab work, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving that meet the expectations of a Bachelor of Science education,” Belitsky says. “This new degree formally recognizes that rigor and affirms the quality and breadth of scientific preparation our students bring to graduate study and professional work.”</p><p>Belitsky emphasizes that the BS option doesn’t change �鶹��Ƶ’s approach to teaching—it enhances it. “What’s exciting is that students will be able to show both sides of their education: deep technical and analytical expertise, and the creativity and communication skills that come from a liberal arts environment.”</p><p>The degree was endorsed by the college’s Educational Plans and Policies Committee earlier this year and approved by the College Faculty. The Bachelor of Science will be available to students beginning in fall 2026.</p><hr><h3>How to Qualify for the BS Degree</h3><p><em>To earn a Bachelor of Science at �鶹��Ƶ, students must:</em></p><ol><li>Declare at least one major from the list of BS-eligible programs.</li><li>Notify the Office of the Registrar of their intention to convert their Bachelor of Arts degree to a Bachelor of Science.</li><li>Complete at least 16 full courses designated as Natural Science and Mathematics.</li></ol><p><em>Students who meet the criteria may choose to graduate with either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science—but not both.</em></p><hr></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The new degree option expands academic pathways in the sciences, social sciences, and interdisciplinary fields. </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-10-16T12:00:00Z">Thu, 10/16/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>�鶹��Ƶ will begin offering a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/bachelor-of-science" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="122754f5-47f5-4c43-a02d-0fce89dcb008" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Bachelor of Science (BS) at �鶹��Ƶ">Bachelor of Science</a> degree option to students in the<a href="/arts-and-sciences" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c6983a98-0d9e-4cc8-b7f9-ba6f11fa4cbb" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="College of Arts and Sciences"> College of Arts and Sciences</a>, expanding pathways in the natural sciences, social sciences, and emerging interdisciplinary fields. Students may elect to pursue the BS program beginning in fall 2026.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4112">New Programs</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25246">Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25251">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=187731">Business</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=415031">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25341">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=468171">Financial Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25366">Geosciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25401">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4861">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25411">Physics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25286">Psychology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/business" hreflang="und">Business</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-science" hreflang="und">Environmental Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/finance" hreflang="und">Financial Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences" hreflang="und">Geosciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/global-health" hreflang="und">Global Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/neuroscience" hreflang="und">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy" hreflang="und">Physics and Astronomy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" hreflang="und">Psychology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Mike Crupi</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Building Blocks</h1> <p>awillia2 — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 22:50:18 +0000</p> <span>Building Blocks</span> <span><span>awillia2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-03-05T17:50:18-05:00" title="Wednesday, March 5, 2025 - 17:50">Wed, 03/05/2025 - 17:50</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Those goals may be within reach for Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry <a href="/node/253486" target="_blank">Shuming Chen</a>. </p> <p>Harnessing the computing power available through �鶹��Ƶ’s supercomputing cluster, she uses quantum chemistry software to program computational models, creating virtual experiments and chemical reactions that in the past required extensive laboratory testing. She and her students build up complex molecules on a screen like virtual Legos and manipulate them in different ways to test out hypotheses just like experimentalists do on a lab bench. </p> <p>“It’s still a challenge to predict the outcomes of chemical reactions,” Chen said. “It’s something we increasingly want to phase out because experimentation takes a lot of human and energy resources, along with environmental costs. The holy grail we’re working toward is replacing those initial exploratory experiments with simulated reactions.” </p> <p>Chen caught the chemistry bug early in her undergraduate career at Grinnell College, when she learned about valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory as a model to predict molecular structures. “VSEPR theory made me realize that molecules actually have characteristic three-dimensional shapes,” explained Chen. “If you know the number of electrons and bonds connected to central atoms, you can even predict the twists and sheets of something as complex as proteins, the bases of life.”</p> <p>Chen’s fascination with molecular architecture led her to study the potential of manipulating those structures. Slight variations in molecules can make a drug safer and more effective—or, potentially, deadly—but as she noted, chemistry experiments are often a matter of serendipity with a lot of trial and error involved. Chemical reactions can require a significant amount of energy, and many reagents and solvents essential for chemical experimentation pose severe environmental or health hazards.</p> <p>One focus of Chen’s lab is using metals as chemical catalysts. This has important real-world implications. For example, platinum and other metals in catalytic converters react with car exhaust to reduce harmful emissions. Biological organisms—including humans—also use metals in their bodies to enable basic metabolism and detoxification.</p> <p>But metals can also catalyze reactions that wouldn’t normally take place in nature, leading to the creation of novel molecules that treat diseases. After using computational chemistry to identify chemical reactions of interest, scientists can use lab experiments to refine the most desirable molecules and manufacture better drug candidates.</p> <p>For example, Chen recently published a paper in <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.orglett.4c03130" target="_blank"><em>Organic Letters</em></a> with undergraduate biochemistry and clarinet performance major Marisa Ih ’25 on using iron as a more sustainable catalyst to create amino acids that don’t occur in nature; this approach can be used to develop antibiotics that mimic the body's natural defenses against pathogens. “Unnatural amino acids allow us to make interesting modifications to protein structures that can dramatically alter their functions,” said Chen. “They actually underpin a lot of new and exciting developments in biological chemistry.”</p> <p>Chen’s contributions to pharmaceutical development also include a recent project to synthesize rauvomine B, a molecule produced by the poison devil’s-pepper plant (<em>Rauvolfia vomitoria</em>). Total synthesis is an area of chemical research that focuses on assembling simpler, smaller building blocks to make larger and more complex molecules that already exist in nature. Through total synthesis, natural molecules that hold promise as new pharmaceutical drugs can be made in virtually any quantity on demand. In addition to facilitating pharmaceutical development, this also prevents the natural sources of such molecules—often vulnerable plant or animal populations—from being overexploited for global drug supplies. </p> <aside class="pull obj-right"> <div class="basic-box basic-box--light"> <h2 class="small-headline">Student Researchers</h2> <ul class="list--clean"> <li>Sofia Bielinski Leitão ’25</li> <li>Zachary Cheng ’25</li> <li>Olivia Coyle ’27</li> <li>Sam Guarino ’26</li> <li>Shuxiu Jiang ’27</li> <li>Lilly Kramer ’26</li> <li>Brielle Lam ’25</li> <li>Namu Makatiani ’26</li> <li>Andrea Muliawan ’26</li> <li>Gabriel Negrao de Morais ’25</li> <li>Aurora Wildes-Payne ’27</li> <li>Lucas Zimmer ’27</li> </ul> </div> </aside> <p>For a paper published in the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.4c07669" target="_blank"><em>Journal of the American Chemical Society</em></a>, Chen and undergraduate chemistry student Gabriel Negrao de Morais ’25 collaborated with Myles Smith and colleagues at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center to synthesize rauvomine B. </p> <p>The �鶹��Ƶ team contributed by conducting quantum chemical computations to reveal the key to making the ambitious synthetic endeavor work. Insights from these computations showed that the clever attachment of what chemists call a “protecting group” to a critical part of the molecule had the effect of directing the molecule to take its final, desired shape. Now, scientists can test rauvomine B’s potential to fight inflammation and pathogens while sparing the poison devil’s-pepper. </p> <p>“So many useful drugs already come from the plant family the devil’s-pepper is part of,” Chen explains. “If we can create more molecules like rauvomine B and even tweak their structures to make them more effective, we could produce them in much larger quantities and for a lower price than if they were extracted from the plants themselves.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">How Shuming Chen uses virtual chemistry to develop real-world solutions</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-03-21T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/21/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jen DeMoss</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>What if chemists were able to speed up the creation of new medications using computer-simulated experiments? Or foster lab processes with fewer environmental impacts?</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4292">�鶹��Ƶ Research Review</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25246">Biochemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/shuming-chen" hreflang="und">Shuming Chen</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-cte-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes (Individual Images)</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Matt Chase</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40340" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <hr> <p><em>Shuming Chen’s research leverages the synergy of computation and experiments to discover what drives chemical selectivity. The insights generated in turn aid the design of reactions that are more selective, efficient, and environmentally friendly. She earned her PhD at Yale University.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="field field--name-field-bio-card-el-biography field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="biography-card"> <figure> </figure> <div class="biography-card__content"> <h2><span>Shuming Chen</span> </h2> <ul class="item-list list--clean" style="margin-top: 0px;"> <li class="professional-title">Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry</li> </ul> <a class="view-more" href="/shuming-chen">View Shuming Chen’s biography</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40376" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <h2 class="small-headline" style="margin-top: 1.25rem;">About the Illustration</h2> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right" data-cte style="margin-bottom: 1.75rem;"> <figcaption><em>Click the image to expand</em></figcaption> </figure> <p class="subhead" style="margin-bottom: 0; color: var(--darkgray);">Illustrator: Matt Chase</p> <blockquote data-add-quotes data-no-attribution> <p>Quantum chemical computation isn’t something that an illustrator (generally) knows much about. Hence my relief at DeMoss analogizing the process to LEGOs, which as a child held a near monopoly on my interest, and which I often used as prototypes for things I would later build with other materials. The digital molecule here acts in much the same way: a blueprint for its future, real-world counterpart.</p> </blockquote> <p class="icon-text"><span aria-label="Phone" class="icon-text__icon fas fa-fw fa-link" style="color: black;"></span><a href="https://chasematt.com/" target="_blank">chasematt.com</a></p> <p class="icon-text"><span aria-label="Instagram" class="icon-text__icon fas fa-brands fa-instagram"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/doble_entendre" target="_blank">@doble_entendre</a></p> <hr class="hr--light" style="clear: both; margin: 1.25rem 0;"> <p><a class="view-more" href="/node/488025">Return to <em>�鶹��Ƶ Research Review</em></a></p> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40341" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p class="header-tag no-show" id="header-tag">�鶹��Ƶ Research Review</p> <style> .no-show { display: none } </style> <script> (function() { var header = document.querySelector(".story-header"); var headerTag = document.getElementById("header-tag"); header.insertBefore(headerTag, header.firstElementChild); headerTag.classList.remove("no-show"); })(); </script>  <script> (function() { var credit = document.querySelector(".top-combo__figure .figure__credit"); credit.innerText = credit.textContent.replace("Photo credit","Image credit"); })(); </script>  <style> aside .list--clean li { margin-bottom: 0.25rem; } aside ul.list--clean { margin-top: .5rem; font-family: var(--font-sans-serif); font-size: 0.875rem; } aside .basic-box { margin: .5rem 0; max-width: 240px; } aside .basic-box .small-headline { font-size: 1rem; } </style> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Chemistry Professor Shuming Chen Receives $550,000 NSF Award</h1> <p>eburnett — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:51:25 +0000</p> <span>Chemistry Professor Shuming Chen Receives $550,000 NSF Award</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-04-25T10:51:25-04:00" title="Thursday, April 25, 2024 - 10:51">Thu, 04/25/2024 - 10:51</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="/node/253486">Shuming Chen</a>, an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at �鶹��Ƶ College, has received a prestigious NSF CAREER award from the National Science Foundation. The award will provide $550,000 in support of the integration of research and education over a five-year period for Chen’s project, “Understanding and Directing Selectivity in Functionalizations of Strong Covalent Bonds Utilizing Coordination-Sphere Effects.”</p> <p>NSF CAREER is the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious program for early-career faculty. It is awarded to junior teacher-scholars “who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.”</p> <p>Chen completed a PhD at Yale University in 2016 and has been a member of the �鶹��Ƶ faculty since 2020.</p> <p>The CAREER program is highly competitive, and proposals come from both research universities and primarily undergraduate institutions. As a result, it is unusual for a faculty member at a liberal arts college to receive a CAREER award. “Shuming’s receiving this award illustrates the caliber of research that goes on in her lab and that is possible at �鶹��Ƶ,” says professor Catherine Oertel, chair of the <a href="/node/3336">Chemistry and Biochemistry Department</a>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Provided over five years, support fuels ongoing faculty-student research as well as education-access initiatives.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-04-25T12:00:00Z">Thu, 04/25/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25246">Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/shuming-chen" hreflang="und">Shuming Chen</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/catherine-oertel" hreflang="und">Catherine Oertel</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Professor Shuming Chen (left) works with a student in �鶹��Ƶ’s chemistry labs. A newly secured grant from the National Science Foundation will support ongoing student research opportunities and initiatives that support access to STEM education.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Mike Crupi</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32139" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class data-text-color-red data-text-size-giant data-add-quotes> <p>It is an immense honor and a wonderful springboard into the future for my lab,” Chen says of the award. “It enables us to do what we are passionate about: involving more students in the incredibly empowering act of creating new knowledge.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27988" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Shuming Chen (photo by Mike Crupi)</figcaption> </figure> <p>In her CAREER-funded project, Chen and her students will use computational models to help understand and steer selectivity in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions that can yield usefully functionalized compounds with potential as pharmaceutical drug candidates, as well as other applications.</p> <p>In addition, the project includes initiatives intended to foster involvement in science research among students from underrepresented backgrounds, bolstering �鶹��Ƶ’s deep commitment to increasing access to STEM education.</p> <p>As with most faculty labs at �鶹��Ƶ, Chen’s research involves substantial student participation. The NSF CAREER award will allow for the contributions of an even greater number of students and support wages for students conducting summer and academic-year research. It will also fund the creation of a workshop that enables �鶹��Ƶ’s first-year chemistry and biochemistry students to engage in authentic research.</p> <p>“It is an immense honor and a wonderful springboard into the future for my lab,” says Chen. “�鶹��Ƶ’s chemistry and biochemistry faculty have an extremely strong track record for securing competitive grants and awards. It enables us to do what we are passionate about: involving more students in the incredibly empowering act of creating new knowledge.”</p> <p>Learn more about the award on the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2338438&HistoricalAwards=false">NSF website</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Five Faculty Earn Excellence in Teaching Honors</h1> <p>eburnett — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:48:43 +0000</p> <span>Five Faculty Earn Excellence in Teaching Honors</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-03-14T10:48:43-04:00" title="Thursday, March 14, 2024 - 10:48">Thu, 03/14/2024 - 10:48</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Five �鶹��Ƶ faculty members have been recognized with Excellence in Teaching Awards for the 2022-23 academic year.</p> <p>Presented annually, the awards recognize faculty in the college and conservatory who have demonstrated sustained and distinctive excellence in the classroom and beyond.</p> <p>Though they approach their teaching across widely varied disciplines, the honorees are united by several key characteristics, says <a href="/node/4921">David Kamitsuka</a>, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences:</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;">“All of them are beloved and visionary teachers, they are deeply admired by their colleagues, they do a superb job connecting their area of expertise to its importance in real life, and they find great joy and meaning in the growth of their students.”</p> <p>A dinner reception was held March 11 at the home of President Carmen Twillie Ambar. The honorees (pictured above at the reception) are as follows:</p> <p><strong><a href="/node/6671">Jay Ashby</a><br> Associate Professor of Jazz Studies<br> Teacher of Jazz Composition and Trombone<br> Director of the Division of Jazz Studies</strong></p> <p>Dean of the Conservatory <a href="/node/49511">Bill Quillen</a> praises Jay Ashby’s commitment to students, his stewardship of the <a href="/node/3231">Division of Jazz Studies</a>, and his development of the Performance and Improvisation program, as well as his ongoing ties to �鶹��Ƶ athletics as co-chair of the General Faculty Athletics Committee.</p> <p>“Jay Ashby has played a leading role in continuing the legacy of jazz studies at �鶹��Ƶ, and he works tirelessly in support of our students,” Quillen says. “He has expanded the realm of jazz studies and created opportunities not just for our jazz students, but for students across our campus.”</p> <hr> <p><strong><a href="/node/6761">Jonathan Moyer</a><br> David S. Boe Associate Professor of Organ<br> Chair of the Organ Department</strong></p> <p>“Jonathan Moyer is one of the most outstanding organ performers and pedagogues in America,” Quillen says. “He stands out not only for his artistic excellence, but also for his deep-seated care for his students. He has continued �鶹��Ƶ’s rich tradition of organ study and placed the students and their needs at the heart of everything he does.”</p> <p>Quillen praises Moyer for his commitment to creating immersive learning experiences in organ centers across Europe and fostering career connections for his students throughout Northeast Ohio and around the world.</p> <hr> <p><strong><span id="cke_bm_37257S" style="display: none;"> </span>Lynn Powell<br> Emerita Assistant Professor of Creative Writing<br> Director of �鶹��Ƶ Writers in the Schools</strong></p> <p>Kamitsuka cites Lynn Powell’s extraordinary and longstanding commitment to the <a href="/node/3221">Creative Writing Department</a> and the community. For more than two decades, she provided visionary leadership to �鶹��Ƶ’s <a href="/node/178921">Writers in the Schools</a> program, a collaboration between the college and �鶹��Ƶ public schools. “It’s truly unimaginable how much work Lynn has put into this labor of love,” Kamitsuka says of Powell, who retired in summer 2023.</p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><strong><a href="/node/5706"><span id="cke_bm_37257E" style="display: none;"> </span></a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="/node/5261">Lisa Ryno</a><br> Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry</strong></p> <p>“What is so impressive about Lisa Ryno is her incredible efforts and success in involving students in every facet of her research,” says Kamitsuka. “No one has done more than Lisa to ensure that all students thrive.” Kamitsuka notes that Ryno spearheaded—while on sabbatical—implementation of the Chemistry Climate Survey, which was intended to assess students’ sense of belonging and engagement with the department.</p> <p>Ryno’s many student collaborations are evidenced in the great number of student researchers who participate with <a href="/undergraduate-research">�鶹��Ƶ Undergraduate Research</a> and present at departmental symposiums—and also in the contingent of five students who will present alongside Ryno at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference this month in San Antonio.</p> <p>“Nothing is better than watching someone gain confidence in the lab and take ownership of their project,” Ryno says.</p> <hr> <p><strong><a href="/node/5706">Md Rumi Shammin</a><br> Professor of Environmental Studies<br> Director of the Environmental Studies Program</strong></p> <p>“Rumi Shammin models genuine modesty and humility as the foundation of all learning,” says Kamitsuka.</p> <p>Shammin is regarded among students and fellow faculty as a master of group projects and collaborative work, including his National Science Foundation-funded project “Perspective-Taking and Systems-Thinking for Complex Problem Solving.” Shammin founded <a href="/node/3196">Environmental Studies</a>’ Career Day, which offers a highly successful model for forging professional connections.</p> <hr> <p><strong>About the Excellence in Teaching Awards:</strong> Each year, College of Arts and Sciences faculty are selected for consideration through nominations presented to the College Faculty Council, which are then reviewed by a faculty committee. An award is presented in each division of the college: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and natural sciences and mathematics. The conservatory dean recommends a number of conservatory faculty to the Conservatory Faculty Council for consideration, and together they review and narrow the recommendations to two recipients.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Annual awards celebrate distinguished and sustained leadership across the college and conservatory.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-03-14T12:00:00Z">Thu, 03/14/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34896">Jazz Composition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25351">Environmental Studies and Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25326">Creative Writing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25246">Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=28886">Historical Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=40211">Historical Keyboard Instruments</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=32966">Organ</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/jay-ashby" hreflang="und">Jay Ashby</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/jonathan-william-moyer" hreflang="und">Jonathan William Moyer</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/lisa-ryno" hreflang="und">Lisa Ryno</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/md-rumi-shammin" hreflang="und">Md Rumi Shammin</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/historical-performance" hreflang="und">Historical Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/creative-writing" hreflang="und">Creative Writing</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">�鶹��Ƶ’s 2022-23 Excellence in Teaching honorees (from left): Jonathan Moyer, Lisa Ryno, Rumi Shammin, Lynn Powell, and Jay Ashby.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Scott Shaw</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Students Present Research at Chemical Society Conference</h1> <p>eburnett — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:11:34 +0000</p> <span>Students Present Research at Chemical Society Conference</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-04-11T09:11:34-04:00" title="Tuesday, April 11, 2023 - 09:11">Tue, 04/11/2023 - 09:11</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>�鶹��Ƶ chemistry and biochemistry students and faculty traveled to the American Chemical Society’s National Meeting in Indianapolis in late March to present posters on their research and learn about cutting-edge science.</p> <p>Seven students took part in the conference, along with professors <a href="/node/52501">Will Parsons</a> and <a href="/node/5261">Lisa Ryno</a>.</p> <p>“We are proud to be �鶹��Ƶ chemists!” says Ryno (pictured far right; Parsons far left).</p> <p>Following are the students who participated and the subjects of their research:</p> <p><strong>Cassie Davies ’24:</strong> Competitive activity-based protein profiling of RHBDL2 and RHBDL4 for inhibitor discovery</p> <p><strong>Anna Francis ’23:</strong> <a href="/undergraduate-research/our-featured-researchers/anna-francis-23">Transcriptomic analysis of rhamnose treatment on E. coli planktonic and biofilm cells</a></p> <p><strong>Jenna Frizzell ’23:</strong> Influence of RpoH and RpoF overexpression on quinolone, macrolide, and glycopeptide antibiotic tolerance and biofilm growth in E. coli</p> <p><strong>Ellie Ko ’25:</strong> Influence of overexpression of the phosphodiesterase YhjH on E. coli biofilm formation and composition</p> <p><strong>Allison Lupatkin ’24:</strong> Development of whole-cell sensors for low concentration antibiotic detection</p> <p><strong>Kyogo Nagashima ’24:</strong> Exploring the influence of environmental lactose on Biofilm formation and composition in E. coli</p> <p><strong>Ryan Taylor ’23:</strong> Changes in tolerance of amphenicol and tetracycline antibiotics with stress-responsive transcription factor overexpression in E. coli</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Areas of focus include antibiotic resistence and protein profiling.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-04-11T12:00:00Z">Tue, 04/11/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25246">Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/lisa-ryno" hreflang="und">Lisa Ryno</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/will-parsons" hreflang="und">William (Will) Parsons</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Seven students, joined by professors Will Parsons (far left) and Lisa Ryno (far right), presented research at the American Chemical Society's March conference.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Lisa Ryno</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Elizabeth Rigby Selected for Prestigious CBYX Fellowship in Germany</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 15:18:23 +0000</p> <span>Elizabeth Rigby Selected for Prestigious CBYX Fellowship in Germany</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-07-27T11:18:23-04:00" title="Wednesday, July 27, 2022 - 11:18">Wed, 07/27/2022 - 11:18</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Elizabeth Rigby, a spring graduate of �鶹��Ƶ College, is one of 75 Americans selected to live and study in Germany for a year as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program. The 2022-2023 cohort departs in July and returns in June 2023. </p> <p><a href="https://culturalvistas.org/programs/abroad/congress-bundestag-youth-exchange-young-professionals/">CBYX</a> is a joint program of the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag (Parliament). Cultural Vistas administers the CBYX Young Professionals program through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participants come from a wide variety of career fields and from all over the United States. </p> <p>Rigby, who majored in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry">chemistry</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/german">German</a>, will attend a two-month intensive language course, study at a German university, and complete a chemistry internship. Participants are usually placed with host families throughout Germany, where they act as citizen ambassadors of the United States.</p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Rigby most recently worked in the lab of Assistant Professor Rachel Saylor, left. Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</figcaption> </figure> <p>While German language ability is not required for the fellowship, Rigby studied German all four years at �鶹��Ƶ. </p> <p>“I met some of my best friends and housemates in these courses, and I particularly enjoyed working with Visiting Assistant Professor Peter Woods,” says Rigby, who is a resident of Clancy, Montana. </p> <p>From October 2022 to January 2023, Rigby will live in Mainz, Germany, and study at the Johannes Gutenberg University. For the proceeding internship, she hopes to work in Yafang Cheng’s lab at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz, where the research will focus on studying climate change, aerosols, and air quality. </p> <p>Rigby has collaborated on chemistry research with several �鶹��Ƶ faculty members, including Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry <a href="/manish-mehta">Manish Mehta</a>, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry <a href="/shuming-chen">Shuming Chen</a>, and Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry <a href="/rachel-saylor">Rachel Saylor</a>.</p> <p>After the fellowship year, Rigby intends to pursue a graduate program in chemistry. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-07-27T12:00:00Z">Wed, 07/27/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2367">Science & Math</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25371">German</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/german" hreflang="und">German Language and Literatures</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Elizabeth Rigby is a spring 2022 graduate in chemistry in German.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Shira Presberg '24 Receives NOAA Hollings Scholarship</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 04 May 2022 14:44:45 +0000</p> <span>Shira Presberg '24 Receives NOAA Hollings Scholarship</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-05-04T10:44:45-04:00" title="Wednesday, May 4, 2022 - 10:44">Wed, 05/04/2022 - 10:44</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Second-year chemistry major Shira Presberg is a 2022 recipient of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship">Hollings Scholarship Program</a> awards undergraduates with academic assistance (up to $9,500 per year) for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. The internship between the first and second years of the award provides scholars with hands-on, practical experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include travel funds to attend a mandatory NOAA Scholarship Program orientation and the annual Science & Education Symposium, scientific conferences where students present their research, and a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship.</p> <p>Presberg is currently a research assistant in Professor of Chemistry <a href="/matt-elrod">Matthew Elrod</a>’s atmospheric chemistry lab, where they are working on projects to understand secondary organic aerosols. </p> <p>“Secondary organic aerosols are very prevalent in the atmosphere, yet we know very little about what they are made up of and what reactions happen in them,” Presberg explains. “These aerosols play a role in both climate change and pollution, so it is important to learn as much as possible about what they could contain.”</p> <p>This summer, Presberg will continue to work in Elrod’s lab. “I love the work that I am doing in the Elrod lab because it combines my interest in chemistry with my desire to contribute to our knowledge about the environment and how humans have changed it. I applied to the Hollings Scholarship because it would give me an opportunity to work with career researchers at a NOAA facility and see what it would look like to pursue that path myself. I am very excited both for the summer internship opportunity and to meet new mentors in the field of environmental chemistry.”</p> <p>A resident of Rochester, New York, Presberg participates in club tennis and takes secondary lessons in piano through the conservatory. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Presberg will use the award to continue atmospheric chemistry research with Professor Matt Elrod.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-05-04T12:00:00Z">Wed, 05/04/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2367">Science & Math</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/matt-elrod" hreflang="und">Matthew (Matt) Elrod</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Professor Matt Elrod and Shira Presberg work in Elrod's atmospheric chemistry lab.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jonathan Clark '25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Jane Sedlak ’19 Studies the Chemistry of Wildfire Smoke</h1> <p>swargo — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 16:06:39 +0000</p> <span>Jane Sedlak ’19 Studies the Chemistry of Wildfire Smoke</span> <span><span>swargo</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-04-20T12:06:39-04:00" title="Wednesday, April 20, 2022 - 12:06">Wed, 04/20/2022 - 12:06</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><hr> <p> </p> <p><strong>Describe the work you are doing at UC San Diego?</strong></p> <p>I am currently a first-year graduate student in the lab of Vicki Grassian at UC San Diego in the chemistry and biochemistry department. My research focuses on the chemistry of wildfire smoke. Growing up in California, I’ve seen the wildfires get worse and worse every year, to the point where smoke from one fire impacts the entire state and sometimes even the rest of the United States. In my research, I’m working to understand what people are exposed to when they breathe wildfire smoke, and how the smoke changes as it travels in the atmosphere.</p> <p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your current work?</strong></p> <p>That’s a tough question—it’s all fun. Right now, I’d say teaching an introductory chemistry lab. Students are excited to be back in lab after remote learning, and helping them carry out their first reactions reminds me why I decided to be a chemistry major.</p> <p><strong>What was your overall experience like at �鶹��Ƶ and how did you spend your time?</strong></p> <p>I really enjoyed the fact that �鶹��Ƶ allowed me to combine my interest in science and the arts. In high school, I used art to explore challenging concepts in science such as climate change; the process helped me to hone my ideas about science. At �鶹��Ƶ, my science professors encouraged me to explore all my interests, whether that was taking a seminar on Pompeii in the classics department or traveling to Indonesia as part of a <a href="/winter-term/about">Winter Term</a> course about culture and sustainability.</p> <p>A big part of my �鶹��Ƶ experience was attending talks, seminars, and performances. There are incredible scholars at �鶹��Ƶ, and the college brings incredible speakers to the campus. I loved hearing about the research that my peers and professors were carrying out on different parts of campus. The students at �鶹��Ƶ are talented, and it was always mind-blowing to attend a recital, theater performance, or an opera and see another side of my lab partner, the kitchen crew at Keep Co-op, or my friends. Being at �鶹��Ƶ and around such talented people inspired me to expand my interests. �鶹��Ƶ also provided me with an incredibly supportive and loving community. Being a part of Keep (I still miss baking in an industrial kitchen) and my study groups for chemistry classes helped me through challenging semesters. The people I met at �鶹��Ƶ continue to be an incredibly important part of my life.</p> <p><strong>How did your �鶹��Ƶ experience lead you to your current position?</strong></p> <p>During my senior year at �鶹��Ƶ I wasn’t sure where my science journey was headed next. I knew I wanted to go to graduate school, but I wasn’t sure what kind of chemistry I wanted to specialize in. I’ve always wanted to study applied chemistry, and use chemistry to solve environmental problems, but I’m also drawn to fundamental chemistry and am fascinated by mechanisms and kinetics. My senior thesis in the lab of <a href="/matt-elrod">Professor Matt Elrod</a> helped me find an area of research that combines these interests: atmospheric chemistry. Although atmospheric science is incredibly complex, Professor Elrod helped me to simplify the system to study a class of compounds that are frequently detected in the atmosphere, but no one knows how they’re formed. For my senior thesis, I used spectroscopic methods taught in organic chemistry to generate mechanisms to explain the formation of these compounds (work that we recently published). My experience in Professor Elrod’s lab made me realize I wanted to continue to study atmospheric chemistry, which is what I’m doing now in graduate school. </p> <p><strong>You were a Nexial Prize winner, what opportunities did this create for you?</strong></p> <p>The <a href="/news/chemistry-major-jane-sedlak-receives-2019-nexial-prize">Nexial Prize</a> was a game changer for me. It enabled me to study with a team of researchers at the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France, the research and restoration lab in the basement of the Louvre Museum. I focused on understanding the photodegradation of art objects using laboratory methods I had learned at �鶹��Ƶ. This experience was beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I had the chance to see the Louvre’s conservation studios, to talk with conservators about restoration theory and techniques, and to immerse myself in learning a new language (the working language was French). The Nexial Prize gave me the freedom to design my own experiments and to collaborate with researchers at some of the best institutes and museums in Europe.</p> <p>When the Louvre closed due to COVID in March 2020, I returned to the U.S. to work with a beamline scientist at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, studying the chemistry of historical art pigments. Having the chance to work through an X-ray dataset piqued my interest in using X-ray spectroscopy. I hope to use the methods I learned at Stanford in my aerosol research.</p> <p><strong>What are your plans for the future?</strong></p> <p>I recently received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program award to continue studying the heterogeneous chemistry of wildfire smoke, and I look forward to immersing myself in that project this summer. In the long term, I hope to continue to explore my passions for environmental chemistry, teaching, and integrating art into science curriculums.</p> <p><br> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-04-20T12:00:00Z">Wed, 04/20/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Myles McPartland ’24</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Jane Sedlak graduated from �鶹��Ƶ College in 2019 with a degree in chemistry and was named the winner of �鶹��Ƶ’s Nexial Prize. Given to a student who demonstrates academic excellence and an interest in cultural study, the Nexial Prize comes with a $50,000 award, which afforded Sedlak the opportunity following graduation to study art conservation at the Louvre in Paris. She is currently a graduate student at University of California San Diego.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/matt-elrod" hreflang="und">Matthew (Matt) Elrod</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Jane Sedlak</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Pre-Med Student Gets on the Road Training</h1> <p>ygay — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 16:06:01 +0000</p> <span>Pre-Med Student Gets on the Road Training</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-11-03T12:06:01-04:00" title="Wednesday, November 3, 2021 - 12:06">Wed, 11/03/2021 - 12:06</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Slebonick, a fourth-year <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" target="_blank">biology</a> major and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" target="_blank">chemistry</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" target="_blank">economics</a> minor, is in �鶹��Ƶ College’s <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/pre-medicine-and-health-careers">Pre-Medicine and Health Careers Program</a>. Although her work as an emergency medical technician (EMT) is not a requirement, the direct patient care she experiences has proven to be a valuable asset.</p> <p>“The most meaningful part of my job is forming a rapport with patients,” says Slebonick, who began her work as a volunteer EMT in 2020 before becoming a full-time employee this past summer. </p> <p>“In emergency medicine, you have very little information about the patient prior to arrival. It is important to quickly form a meaningful relationship in order to learn about the patient’s condition and medical history. I learned how to show empathy while asking the right questions, which helped me successfully care for and treat patients. Establishing trust is an essential skill as a healthcare provider.”</p> <p>Emergency medical situations are something to which Slebonick has had a lot of exposure.</p> <p>While growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her brother had severe milk and nut allergies, which meant her family had to be very conscious of not only what they ate, but how food was prepared and what they touched after eating. The experience put a lot of stress and pressure on her parents. </p> <p>“As I got older, I realized how much of an impact my brother’s allergies had on our family,” she says. “Once it came time to think about college and possible careers, helping those who go through the same struggles that my brother and my family did felt very fitting.”</p> <p>During her course of study at �鶹��Ƶ, Slebonick’s interest in medicine deepened as she explored the sciences through research.</p> <p>In the fall 2020 <a href="/career/set/junior-practicum-program" target="_blank">Junior Practicum Program</a>, she was mentored by <a href="/joyce-babyak" target="_blank">Associate Professor of Religion Joyce Babyak</a> on a project that investigated technology, ethics, and privacy related to genetic testing—a topic of her choosing. </p> <div class="obj-center"> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>“There are classes that have intense workloads, but being a student athlete helped me develop time management skills,” says Slebonick. Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>After reviewing scholarly articles, recommendations written by medical organizations, and privacy policies of direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies, “I learned that clinical pediatric genetic testing raises less ethical and privacy concerns than direct-to-consumer genetic testing on children,” she explains. “The final product was a research paper that argues clinical pediatric genetic testing upholds more validity than direct-to-consumer genetic testing on children.” </p> <p>Slebonick’s recent research paper with Babyak explores the ethical issues with preimplantation genetic diagnosis and cross-border reproductive care. The paper “argues that using preimplantation genetic diagnosis and participating in cross-border reproductive care for nonmedical purposes contributes to the commodification of reproduction.” </p> <p>Slebonick maintains a busy schedule this academic year—while in �鶹��Ƶ’s pre-med program she continues to be on-call as an EMT and is a member of �鶹��Ƶ’s <a href="https://goyeo.com/sports/softball" target="_blank">softball team</a> but—she says, it can all be managed with a healthy respect for time management.</p> <p>“My best advice [to students interested in pre-med] is to face uncomfortable situations. It might feel intimidating starting new academic research or clinical experiences, but once you face the initial discomfort, you can learn so much about yourself and your interests. Entering new experiences is almost certain to open new opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.”</p> <p>After graduating from �鶹��Ƶ in the spring, Slebonick plans to take a gap year before entering medical school, where she will prepare for a career as an allergist. During her break, she plans to work either in research or as an EMT. </p> <p>“Right now, continuity of care interests me the most. As EMTs, we only see patients for a brief period of time. I found myself wondering what happened to my patients after we brought them to the emergency room. I’m excited for my career to have that continuity of care aspect and form longer-lasting relationships with my patients.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Anna Slebonick ’22 Gains Valuable Experience as a Pre-Med Student and EMT</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-11-03T12:00:00Z">Wed, 11/03/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Anna Slebonick spent most of the summer forging quick relationships with patients while the emergency unit she worked in raced down the road.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2771">Athletics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3830">Pre-Medicine</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25341">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25251">Biology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/joyce-babyak" hreflang="und">Joyce Kloc Babyak</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/pre-medicine-and-health-careers" hreflang="und">Pre-Medicine and Health Careers</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Anna Slebonick ’22</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Norm Craig '53, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Dies at 89</h1> <p>anagy — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 21:39:13 +0000</p> <span>Norm Craig '53, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Dies at 89</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-03-09T16:39:13-05:00" title="Tuesday, March 9, 2021 - 16:39">Tue, 03/09/2021 - 16:39</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Norman Castleman Craig (OC '53) was born in Washington, D.C. on November 12, 1931 to David Norman Craig (OC M.A. ′23) and Frances Castleman Craig. He arrived at �鶹��Ƶ College in the fall of 1949. In 1953 he graduated at the top of his class with a major in chemistry. While a student at �鶹��Ƶ, he met his future wife, Ann Williams (OC ′55). They were married in 1955. Upon completing his Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Harvard with George Kistiakowski in 1957, he returned to �鶹��Ƶ and served on the faculty for 43 years until his formal retirement in 2000. As professor emeritus, he continued to teach, guide student research, and sustain multiple international collaborations, in a very productive second phase of his career. Norm’s work at �鶹��Ƶ, spanning 63 years, resulted in over 150 publications, with many featuring �鶹��Ƶ undergraduates as coauthors.</p> <p>Norm taught chemistry to generations of �鶹��Ƶ students. His expansive portfolio included courses in general chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and organic chemistry. He pioneered a course in environmental chemistry, which was adopted nationally and is now a staple of current offerings. His love of thermodynamics led him to write <em>Entropy Analysis</em>, an uncommon and rigorous introductory text to the subject. It is still in use today. In any subject he taught, Norm’s style was grounded in clarity, organization, and rigor. A constant innovator, he experimented with new pedagogies and embraced new instructional technologies. His passion for demonstrations led to him incorporating “Demo-a-Day” in his classes. He treated his classes and his time with students as sacrosanct. As a teacher and advisor, he was demanding, yet he honored his students at every turn. Over the decades, countless alumni have attributed some of their best learning experiences to his dedicated advising and teaching. When the College established teaching awards in 1998, Norm was the first recipient in the natural sciences division.</p> <p>Norm established a world-class research program in the synthesis and molecular spectroscopy of small organic molecules, all of it involving �鶹��Ƶ undergraduates. He and his students invented new methods to synthesize isotopically labeled compounds for analysis. High-resolution vibrational and rotational spectra of these molecules, done locally and via multiple collaborations, combined with high-level numerical computation, led to structures of unprecedented accuracy. The element fluorine figured prominently in his research, and he always made it a point to pronounce “fluorine” with added gusto. In the 1960s, Norm helped establish a tradition of undergraduate research, making the �鶹��Ƶ Chemistry Department one of the earliest adopters of this practice among liberal arts colleges. Along with his colleagues, Norm <a href="https://www2.oberlin.edu/alummag/spring2010/features/scientific.html">spearheaded efforts</a> to bring state-of-the-art instrumentation to �鶹��Ƶ, giving students hands-on experience. Support from the College and external agencies enabled teaching leaves at Princeton and in China, as well as research leaves at the University of Minnesota, University of California at Berkeley, the NIH, and in Germany. </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Courtesy of the Craig family.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Norm’s achievements were recognized with several national awards. In 1987, he received the Chemical Manufacturers Association Catalyst Award for Excellence in Teaching Chemistry. In 1996, he was given the American Chemical Society (ACS) Award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution. He is one of only two people to have won both awards. In 2010, he was selected to be in the first group of ACS Fellows, recognized for their outstanding contributions to science, the profession, and the Society. In 2010, he was awarded the Morley Medal by the Cleveland Section of the ACS for his body of research, the only person from a liberal arts college to have achieved this honor.</p> <p>Norm’s time on the faculty involved extensive service, including multiple stints as department chair and on elected faculty committees, and as associate dean. He was associated with �鶹��Ƶ Shansi for many years, also as the chair of its board of trustees, himself hosting several visiting scholars from India. Norm was also a keen chronicler of �鶹��Ƶ history. He documented in detail Charles Martin Hall’s discovery of the electrolytic process of isolating aluminum from ore, recreating Hall’s experiments at the centennial celebration, and he spearheaded efforts to establish �鶹��Ƶ as an ACS National Historic Chemical Landmark for Hall’s discovery. For his historical research he received the 2010 Heritage Guardian Award from the �鶹��Ƶ Heritage Center. Norm served on national committees and panels, which had a wide impact on chemistry research and education in the United States. These included the ACS Committee on Professional Training, the Advisory Board of the Petroleum Research Fund of the ACS, Project Kaleidoscope, Mathematical Association of America’s Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics, NSF Science Education Directorate panel, and many more.</p> <p>Humble and self-effacing, but never shy to voice his reasoned point of view, Norm sought opportunities to promote the accomplishments of alumni and colleagues. He and Ann were tireless fundraisers for �鶹��Ƶ College and generous donors themselves. Norm directed prize monies from his awards to strengthen various initiatives in the chemistry department and at the College. He cherished connections with former students, exchanging thousands of letters and emails over the years. Alumni showed appreciation for his devotion through donations that led to the Science Center’s Craig Lecture Hall, and the Ann Williams Craig ′55 and Norman C. Craig ′53 Lobby. The Alumni Association awarded him the Alumni Medal in 2002. Within the science division, Norm was a <a href="https://www2.oberlin.edu/alummag/spring2010/we.html#shoes">mentor to younger faculty,</a> generous with his time, gentle feedback, and thoughtful advice. Norm’s was an alert presence in the front row of seminars, and his office door was always open. Both are apt metaphors for the engaged commitment he brought to every endeavor and the kindness with which he gave of himself.</p> <p>Norm and Ann were active, concerned citizens, thoroughly embedded in their �鶹��Ƶ community. Both were longtime members of First Church in �鶹��Ƶ, UCC, where Norm was best known as a member and chair of the Stewardship Committee. Norm’s passion for scientific discovery was a natural outgrowth of his faith. The Craigs were patrons of the arts, with their sustained generosity to programs at the College and in Lorain County. A tireless advocate for free and fair elections, Norm was politically active as a local precinct leader, a participant in candidate town halls and in voter registration drives, often serving as a poll observer on Election Day.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Ann and Norm Craig. Courtesy of the Craig family.</figcaption> </figure> <p>An avid baseball fan, Norm was fiercely competitive on the softball diamond at the annual spring departmental softball games. He was also an avid skipper, who could be found racing his 18-foot Interlake sailboat on Lake Erie in the summers. He often invited students and colleagues to join him sailing, which usually ended in an ice cream treat at the local Baskin-Robbins, with pistachio almond fudge his favorite choice.</p> <p>Norm is survived by his wife, Ann, his sister, Elizabeth Tabbutt (OC ′55), his three children, Julie Lautens (Ralph Harding), Mary Craig (OC ′86) (Markus Vodosek), David Craig (OC ′87) (Jocelyn Sisson), five grandchildren: Margot Lautens (Kris), Nathan Lautens, Miriam Vodosek, and Claudia and Eliza Craig, as well as members of the extended Williams and Tabbutt families. He is preceded in death by his grandson, Simon Vodosek. The family are deeply grateful to the many staff at Kendal in �鶹��Ƶ who supported Norm and Ann through their respective health challenges over the last few years. A proud �鶹��Ƶian, dedicated husband, caring father, “teacher’s teacher,” world-class scholar, conscientious mentor, citizen activist, trusted colleague, and mensch, Norm leaves behind a towering legacy that will serve to inspire future generations of �鶹��Ƶians. </p> <p>A memorial service is being planned, which will be announced soon. The Craig family welcomes your remembrances of Professor Craig. Please submit your memories to <a href="mailto:communications@oberlin.edu">communications@oberlin.edu</a> and we will share with the Craig family upon receipt.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Craig taught chemistry to generations of �鶹��Ƶ students and embodied �鶹��Ƶ’s ideals.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-03-09T12:00:00Z">Tue, 03/09/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Manish Mehta and Julie Craig Lautens</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Norman Craig ′53 died on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Kendal at �鶹��Ƶ, in the presence of family. He was 89. Known as “Mr. Craig” to his students and “Norm” to his friends and colleagues, he was the embodiment of �鶹��Ƶ’s ideals.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2414">Faculty</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2412">Obituaries</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">From left, David Evans '63, Chuck Jonah ’65, Gene Switkes '65, and Norm Craig '53.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of 1963 graduates David and Sally Evans</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>