August 2008: After celebrating another successful graduating class, we are now resting up for another full year, busting at the seams with students seeking tutelage in some flavor of chemistry. Helping us out with this task are our three newest members of the department. The first is really not the new in a couple of ways. David Goode (2002 BS grad in chemistry from Mercer University) joined us in January to help us in the organic chemistry area. David completed his PhD at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign focusing on BioOrganic Chemistry research last December and will be contributing to Organic and Biochemistry among other things. Newer to the department are our two recent Inorganic Chemistry hires. Jennifer Look and Adam Kiefer will face their first students later this month. Jennifer got her undergraduate degree at Rice University, a PhD at the University of Washington, and completed post-doctoral appointments in South Africa and at the University of Wyoming. Adam hasn't traveled quite as far, earning his BS degree at Allegeny College and he just received his PhD from the Uniersity of Illinois-Urbana Champaign (apparently we have a thing about Illinois). We welcome all of our newcomers and look forward to a great year.
May 2007: It has been a while since we updated our news, and a
lot of things have happened. Here's a brief list:
Mercer University College of Liberal Arts hosted a
research symposium for all Mercer University Undergraduates on April 20, 2007. By all
accounts, it was very successful, bringing together students from the sciences (and
Latin!) to present their accomplishments to students, staff, faculty, and members of the
administration. Many thanks to Dr. Kevin Bucholtz for his hard work bringing this event to
campus for the first time. We look forward to next year's event where we can see what our
students accomplish during the next 12 months.
We had another really good graduating class of chemists: Toluope
Adeyemo BA is going to Meharry Medical School, Mei Mei Dong (Vivy) BS is going to graduate
school (we just don't know where yet), Erin Judkins BA is off to the University of Iowa
Medical School, Stephanie Kofsky BS is taking an internship with Imerys, and Brian Krieg
BS is off to graduate school at Penn State. Way to go y'all!
We've added to the department in a couple of ways:
First, we've hired Paul Winget as a Visiting Assistant Professor for the 07-08 school
year. Paul is a physical chemist working for the EPA here in Georgia.
Finally, Bridget Trogden (and Dewayne) have added to their family, celebrating the arrival
of their first child, Jacob.
October 2006: Two items of most excellent news to report:
First, I am very pleased to announce that the
Mercer University Student Affiliate Chapter of the American Chemical Society has once
again been selected as an outstanding chapter. This is the third time in four years that
this group has received the top award from the American Chemical Society. For the current
award, the 2005 - 2006 academic year, only 34 of the more than 980 student affiliate
chapters received an outstanding award (with an additional 56 earning a commendable
designation, and 75 honorable mentions).
For the 2005 - 2006 year, Dr. Nancy Dopke and Dr. Brian Rood were the
faculty advisors for our student chapter. They deserve special thanks and recognition for
the dedication, hard work, and direction provided to the many students involved in what
has become one of the most successful student affiliate groups nationwide. We anticipate
the continued success of our student affiliate chapter as we move forward.
Second, Dr. Kevin
Bucholtz's graduate student research has resulted in a publication in the journal Organic
& Biomolecular Chemistry. In fact, this prestigious journal, put out by the Royal
Society of Chemistry, saw fit to feature Kevin's research on the cover. For those so
inclined, you can read the paper here. Way to go Dr. K.
June 2006: We are sad to report that Emeritus Prof. Frank James has passed away. Dr. Franklin "Frank" James graduated from Louin Mississippi High School. His college years were interrupted by World War II when he served in the Army Air Corps as Captain in the Air Transport Command in Hawaii. After the war, he returned to Mississippi College where he majored in Physics and Chemistry. He received a B.S. Degree with the highest GPA in his class. Frank then attended University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and received a Ph.D. in Chemistry. He was Professor of Chemistry at Milsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi for seven years. He worked as Senior Research Chemist for Texaco Inc., for three years. Missing teaching, he came to Mercer University in 1961 as Professor of Chemistry and Chairman of the Department. In 1971, Frank was appointed as Mercer's first Callaway Professor. He retired in 1988. He will be missed. Donations in Dr. James' memory can be made to the Franklin W. James Endowed Scholarship fund for chemistry majors, College of Liberal Arts, at Mercer University, 1400 Coleman Avenue, Macon, GA 31207.
June 2006: We've filled Arthur's shoes, hiring Vicki Guarisco
(the apple lady) in our Visiting Assistant Professor slot. Vicki was previously at Dalton
State College in the Carpet Capitol of the World, and was well known for bring apples to
Pre-Pharmacy Advisor meetings.
The Department is currently out of our building while they replace our
asbestos laden flooring. We are hoping to get back in time for classes to start. In the
interim, we are spread over campus with several of us enjoying the hospitality in the 24
hour study area of our Main Library.
May 2006: Another year has gone with no new news. Plenty of things to report,
just poorly updated. So...
Another great graduating class. Condolences (for leaving the comfort of
college life) to: Kelli Ashe, Akosua (Nana) Boateng , Holly Cagle, Lashay Coles,
Sharon Eanes, Shaedra Hill, Omar Khatib, Delaram Moshkelani, Julia Riggs, and Sarah
Wright. Sharon, Omar, Delaram, Julia, and Sarah did a great job with their senior research
reports. We wish them well in their future endeavors.
We regret to say that Arthur Salido will be leaving us for Western
Carolina University. Good luck Arthur, you've left big shoes to fill.
January 2006: We welcome Ruth Seney to the Department. Ruth is
the daughter of Caryn (and Rod) Seney, currently on sabbatical (Caryn - not the baby).
Also in January, we say goodbye to Ms. Johanne Dattilo as she enters her
golden years down in Florida. Best wishes on your retirement. Have a cocktail on us!
It was hard to replace Johanne, but we found a great new addition to our
department. Nicole Word joins us as our Departmental Secretary (read that as "the
person who gets things done and reminds the chair of his meetings"), coming to us
from Wisconsin (Racine even).
May 2005: Another year has come and gone and we have a new graduating class. This year, eight students have graduated and will be heading out into the cruel world. Congratulations to Matthew Brooker, Adrianne Ferguson, Tiffany Gibson, Matthew Golden, Faraa Mobini, Randall Phillips, Larissa Spell, and Joshua Yelverton.
April 2005: UPDATE: I've been informamed that the University of Rochester does have a basketball team. The University of Rochester Yellow Jackets men's basketball team was the NCAA Div. III national runner-up losing to the perennial "powerhouse" of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (the Ponters). Many of us here have strong Wisconsin (and Big Ten) ties and this victory over the boys from the east comes as no surprise.
March 2005: We just inducted a new class of students into our Mu Gamma Chapter of Gamma Sigma Epsilon. Do you have to be a nerd to become a member of this prestigious Chemistry Honor Society? Look at this list and I'll let you be the judge!
Also: The Chemistry Honor Society - Gamma Sigma Epsilon - now has a home page. Our department is host to the Mu Gamma chapter formed in 1942, inviting students who have demonstrated an aptitude (okay, high GPA) for chemistry to join this prestigious honor society. We have recently been given a copy of an article that describes the Mercer Chapter. You can find a scan of that article (with a picture of the Grand Alchemist!) here (this is a big file -~600 kB). Some interesting facts from 1942: The officers were Sunshine Taylor (Grand Alchemist), Frederic Marshall (Vice Alchemist), Robert Greene (Recorder), Howard McCollough (Visor), and Frank Mazza (Publicity Chairman). I wonder where they all are now?
March 2005: We sent a couple of students and faculty members to the National American Chemical Society Meeting in San Diego. Watch this space for a blurb about what went on.
February 2005: We have completed our hiring for the year, and are bringing in two exceptionally fine prospects. Starting as Freshmen Faculty members this coming fall are Bridget Trogden and Kevin Bucholtz. Bridgette is currently finishing her PhD at the University of Illinois (of NCAA Basketball fame this year), and Kevin is finishing up his PhD at the University of Rochester (the editors don't recall the UofR basketball record for this year).
November 2004: Senior Chemistry Major Joshua C. Yelverton won first place for his undergraduate research poster titled "Studies of Antigen/Antibody Interactions with Nanoparticles" in the Undergraduate Research Poster Session II at the 2004 Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, November 10 - 13. Josh has been working under the guidance of Dr. Caryn Seney in the Department of Chemistry on this National Science Foundation funded project. There were 69 undergraduate research posters presented by students from institutions in the southeastern region of the United States. Josh is just the latest student to win an award at a SERMACS meeting. We have had several awardees over the years, demonstrating our interest in involving undergraduates in high quality research activities.
October 2004: The Student ACS web page is now active. Check it out!
September 2004: We have had two successful grant
proposals recently funded by the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Caryn S. Seney, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry,
in collaboration with Dr. Robin Bright from Fort Valley State University, has recently
received a three year grant from the National Science Foundation Research for
Undergraduate Institutions. Mercer University will receive $178,552 of the total $244,752
to fund the project entitled “Studies of Antigen/Antibody Interactions with
Nanoparticles.” The project goal includes attracting and retaining students in the
sciences by providing opportunities at Mercer University and Fort Valley State University
to participate in basic research involving several areas of chemistry. The project
involves attaching proteins to small particles (nanoparticles) made of silver or gold.
Students will then use lasers to study how the proteins interact with each other under a
variety of conditions. It is hoped that the instruments and analytical techniques
developed through this project will be useful for developing highly sensitive and rapid
tests to measure biological interactions both in the laboratory and in living organisms.
Dr. Arthur Salido, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry,
with contributions from Dr. Ajaz Karim (Environmental Sciences) and Dr. Andre Butler
(Environmental Engineering), has recently received a grant from the National Science
Foundation’s “Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement” program
totaling $102,000. Funding will be used to increase student-learning opportunities through
the addition of cutting-edge analytical instrumentation, namely Inductively-Coupled Plasma
Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES), to the Chemistry, Environmental Science, and
Environmental Engineering curricula. This will provide Mercer with sufficient analytical
capabilities to facilitate environmental inquiry, equip students with needed technological
understanding, and build critical scientific skills. The new technology will facilitate
research investigating air and water contamination, metal cycling in wetlands, and
environmental remediation of heavy metals. This project will also promote collaboration
between Mercer undergraduates and local high school students, which will improve
Mercer’s community ties, accelerate high school students’ college preparation,
provide a mentoring context for Mercer undergraduates, and advance future collaborations
between Mercer and the local school system.
July 2004: We have had a few changes in the department this summer. Dr. Scott Davis has been appointed Vice-Provost of the University. Dr. Moore is now an Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, relinquishing the position of Chair of Chemistry to Dr. Hugdahl. Dr. Butler will be leaving the University this summer as she moves to North Carolina. We wish her well in her future endeavors.
May 2004: Congratulations to Dr. Pounds who has been give tenure and promoted to Associate Professor.
May 2004: The department would like to congratulate another fine class of graduates including Ben Coursey, Jason George, Ronald Hunter, Umar Khokhar, Steven Lambert, Ketan Patel, and Trey Rahn. Sean Lynch and Kelly Wade graduated in December of 2003.
February 2004: Jeff Hugdahl was the victor in a cross-college chicken wing eating contest held at halftime of the February 19, 2004 Men's Basketball game. In addition to prevailing over four students, it should also be noted that as faculty representative of the College of Liberal Arts, Jeff also beat Dr. Mary Jo Vaughan from the Stetson School of Business and Economics. CLA rules (at least for one more year). Parameters for a rematch are being negotiated.
January 2004: We now have a new GC/MS. The Shimadzu GCMS QP5000 is up and running.
December 2003: At this time of year, the chemistry family typically expands. This year is no exception as we welcome Andrew "AJ" Pounds, born to Andy and Laura Pounds this month. Best wishes to the whole Pounder family.
September 2003: We are extremely pleased to announce that the American Chemical Society will be recognizing the tremendous efforts of the Mercer University chapter of the American Chemical Society Student Affiliates at the 227th ACS National Meeting (Anaheim, CA, March 28, 2004) with an Outstanding Chapter Award, the highest honor for a student affiliates chapter. Based on the 2002-2003 activities of all ACS Student Affiliate chapters, the ACS is making 29 outstanding awards, 52 commendable awards, and 77 honorable mention awards.
August 2003: Scott Davis has expanded his administrative role at the University by appending the additional title of Associate Executive Vice President to his Associate Dean of CLA position. He will be working on the Student Success Initiative.
May, 2003: Another year is finished, and the following students
graduated on Mother's Day: Owmy Bouloute, James Brock,
Natasha Lee, Neal Lovett,
Arash Seratnahaei, and Robin Sibert.
January, 2003: The chemistry family is expanding. Congratulations to Arthur and Tiffany Salido on the birth of their second son, Solomon.
November, 2002: SERMACS 2002 in Charleston saw the department well represented. Those presenting their work include Drs. Jeffrey Hugdahl, Scott Davis, Nancy Dopke, and Joel Dopke. Students attending the meeting include Ben Coursey, Ron Hunter, and Ketan Patel. Heather Voegtle and Mark Perpall, two of our recent graduates were there presenting the research they are doing in graduate school. For more details, go to the SERMACS02 page.
August, 2002: The new school year has begun.
July, 2002: We have a new MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer up and running. This Matrix Assisted "Laser" Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer was obtained by Nancy Dopke through the National Science Foundation CCLI grant program (total cost of the instrument approached $160,000 with Mercer providing a matching contribution to the $80,000 provided by the NSF). We are already incorporating the instrument into General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry labs.
July, 2002: We congratulate Dale Moore and Caryn Seney for their recent promotions to Associate Professor with tenure. Dr. Dale has also assumed the duty of Chair for the next three years. We wish him the best. The reason for his elevation to the level of chair is...Congratulations to Scott Davis as he moves to the other side of campus to become the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Good Luck.
June, 2002: A lot has happened since this page was updated. Sorry about that. Here are some things to get us all up to speed. We have had a couple of visiting folks come through. Allison Calhoun (now at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington) and Melvin Hall (now at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia) were the last to come through. We have welcomed a few new faces to the department including Nancy and Joel Dopke (Inorganic Chemistry) who replaced Van Crawford now comfortably retired to North Carolina. This year we have Arthur Salido and Theunis van Aardt joining the department. Dr. Salido (Analytical Chemistry) replaced Kevin Chambliss who moved on and up to Baylor University in Waco, Texas. In a visiting assistant professor role, Dr. van Aardt (Organic Chemistry) is here for a year to teach mostly General Chemistry. We have had couple of smaller additions to the Chemistry family as we welcomed Natalie Pounds (early 2002) and Layne Davis (early 2002).
August 29, 2000: We are compiling a list of our graduates back to 1991. Since 1991: 28% of our students have gone to Graduate School, 30% have gone to Medical School, and 32% have taken jobs in Industry. See the whole list of our students at 1991-Present Chemistry Graduates.
August 24, 2000: Two Mercer Chemistry alumni studying chemistry at Emory University received fellowship awards for this year. John Ginn has been awarded a $5,000 fellowship from the Georgia Chapter of the ARCS Foundation (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists). Travis Anderson will receive a $2,000 Quayle fellowship. The Quayle fellowships were established in honor of Dr. Osborne Robinson Quayle, who was the chairman of the Department of Chemistry from 1950-1954.
August 23, 2000: Jeffrey Hugdahl has received a grant from the USDA (approximately $50,000 over two years) to pursue a biochemical research program looking at the interaction between herbicides and plant cytoskeletal proteins. Understanding the interactions of herbicides with plant proteins will provide insights into how plant cells function. The purpose of this project is to fully understand the interactions of carbamate herbicides (specifically chloroisopropyl-N-phenyl carbamate, CIPC) with proteins in plant cells. The objectives of this project are to synthesize and characterize radiolabeled CIPC analogs, and characterize their interaction with plant tubulins and microtubules both in vitro, and in living cells. Photoaffinity analogs of CIPC will be used to localize herbicide binding sites by activating CIPC analogs in the presence of tubulin proteins using light. The activated CIPC analog will irreversibly bind to the protein. In a series of similar experiments the CIPC derivatives will be used to identify and characterize non-tubulin targets. Finding non-tubulin targets may allow identification of proteins that play an important role in cellular events such as cell division.
Graduate student at Georgia Tech |
||
February 15, 2000: Congratulations to Dr. Andrew Pounds who was recently notified that his grant proposal to Sun Microsystems entitled "Real-Time Distributed Electronic Structure Visualization" has been funded. The computer equipment supplied by Sun Microsystems, which is valued at $28,000, will be used to unite existing high performance parallel computing systems at Mercer with high performance graphics systems at Georgia Tech. The complete system will provide a state of the art facility for molecular visualization research over the Internet. Details related to the project can be found at http://theochem.mercer.edu/movisdoc/.
January, 2000: The departmental family has grown by a couple of units (without involving searches) due to new additions to the Massey family (Hannah) and the Pounds family (Katherine). Congratulations to both research groups!
May 15, 1999: The chemistry department would like to congratulate our General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Award winners:
Undergraduate Award for Achievement in Organic Chemistry (Sponsored by ACS): David Rowan
Outstanding Student in Organic Chemistry: Wendy Joyner
Freshmen Chemistry Achievement Award (Sponsored by CRC Press LLC): David Goode
Outstanding Student in General Chemistry: Sarah Amdur
March 26, 1999: As the end of the spring semester nears, the
department would like to announce the following awards:
Physical Chemistry
Award: Donny Davis and Brian M. Varisco
Merck Index Award: Jason
Henry Smith
American Institute of
Chemists Award: Brent Mantooth
February 22, 1999: Following two rounds of the Major Field Test
in Chemistry, we are happy to announce that 100% of our students have passed on the first
try. Nine of our majors have taken the exam, and their scores have been compared with
students from schools across the nation. Our average student scores better than 75% of all
seniors taking the exam nationwide, with several of our majors scoring above the 99th
percentile. We want to congratulate our students for their fine performance on one of the
last hurdles preceding graduation.
The Major Field Test in Chemistry is an objective, end-of-program exam
sponsored by the Educational Testing Service and the Graduate Record Examinations Board.
The test seeks to assess the ability of students to analyze and solve problems, understand
relationships and interpret material related to the concepts, principles and knowledge
presented throughout the chemistry curriculum.
January 11, 1999: The Chemistry Department is pleased to announce that three Mercer University students have been awarded academic scholarships from the American Chemical Society Scholars program.
| Alexander Llanos from Columbus, GA Senior, Chemistry |
Taisha M. Rose from Stone Mountain, GA Sophomore, Environmental Science |
Henry W. Harris Jr. from Warner Robbins, GA Freshman |
The American Chemical Society selected 231 Scholars from approximately 900 students nationwide. The awards were given based on academic performance and financial need to African American, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaskan Native students who are majoring in a chemical science.
Send questions or comments to Jeffrey
Hugdahl
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Revised: July 30, 2008