Chemistry Program News      beaker  Erlenmeyer flask

Staffing Changes, Fall 2008

Joe Workman returns from his year-long sabbatical leave in Australia, while Jennifer Muzyka is on sabbatical leave until February.

Keith Dunn has completed his extended term as Division III chair and is now the "building shepherd" for the new Science Center project (see below).

January Haile joins the program as Visiting Instructor of Chemistry.  January is a Ph.D. candidate in biochemistry at Virginia Tech and has her bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from Emory & Henry College.

Kerry Paumi joins the program as Visiting Assistant Professor (part-time).  She has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Wake Forest and a bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College.

Rafael Adrian, a Visiting Assistant Professor last year, has left for a tenure-track position at University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX.  He and Marsha are expecting a baby in December.

Volcano Course a Success Again

Keith Dunn and Conrad Shiba taught the NSC 250 course Physical Science of Volcanoes in New Zealand during the Centre Term.  This was the third offering of this course, and 38 students took the course this time.  Drs. Joe Workman and Melanie Hauser traveled with the group in a nonteaching capacity.  A Facebook group called "Note the Layering (NZ Centreterm 2008)" has been established by members of the course.

Summer 2008 Activities

Preston Miles and Jeff Fieberg directed students doing collaborative research in analytical chemistry and physical chemistry, respectively, this summer.  Conrad Shiba continued his exploration of volcanoes with a trip to the Cascades that covered the volcanoes from Mt. St. Helens in Washington down to the Lava Beds National Monument in northern California and is now setting up his new seismometer.  Joe Workman en route back from his sabbatical leave in Australia visited the South Island of New Zealand and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Melanie Hauser also made a trip to Oregon and Crater Lake.  Jennifer Muzyka began her sabbatical research in the pharmacy school at the University of Kentucky.

Chemistry Awards for 2007-08

    Freshman Chemistry Award:  Heather Walls
    Organic Chemistry Award:  Jeff SoRelle
    Analytical Chemistry Award:  Sarah Steele
    T. Hunton Rogers Prize:  Chase Wilson
    American Institute of Chemists Award:  Laura Steffen
    Preston Carter Chemistry Prize:  Nate Blank

Science Center

Click HERE for a description of the new Science Center that will be added on to the north and west sides of Young Hall.  The chemistry program will have new organic, inorganic, general chemistry, and research laboratories in the Science Center, as well as office space.  Groundbreaking will take place during Homecoming this fall.

Homecoming is the weekend of October 24-25.  Groundbreaking for the new science center will be at 4:00 PM on Friday, October 24, in front of Young Hall.  We invite all chemistry alumni to stop by and see us!  Also, please send us any updates for our alumni page.

National Chemistry Week Event information:
    When:  6:02 PM on Mole Day, Thursday, October 23rd  (6:02 p.m. 10/23)  (the event will go until 8:30 p.m.)
    Where:  Danville High School auditorium, 203 East Lexington Avenue, Danville, KY  40422
    What:  Chemistry Demonstration Show + hands-on activities for all ages!
    We will need lots of help late afternoon (4:00 – 6:00) to set up the event.  We will also be preparing for the event on the Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons (10/21 and 10/22) before the event.  Any help you can provide will be AWESOME!

Chemistry Seminar
When:  October 30, 4:10 PM
Where:  Olin 124
Title:  Y-12 – Protecting America’s Future (see attached abstract) Jonathan S. Morrell, Ph.D.  (Katie Hutchinson performed research with him last year) Compatibility and Surveillance Technical Manager, Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN

    Last updated 10/20/08.  This page is maintained by Conrad Shiba (conrad.shiba @ centre.edu)

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