2021 Natural Science Hall of Fame
Saturday, November 13
Deets Library
5:00 pm Natural Science Hall of Fame Dinner RSVP Required
6:00 pm Natural Science Hall of Fame Ceremony
2021 Inductees
Dr. David Brooks '60
Scott Carter '80
Dr. Steven Short '78
Cost for the meal is $25/person. To RSVP, email alumni@sckans.edu or call 620.229.6155. RSVP deadline is November 5.
2021 Inductees
Dr. David Brooks '60 is board-certified in family practice and osteopathic manipulative medicine. He graduated from Southwestern College in 1960 with a bachelors of science in chemistry and mathematics. After a semester at the University of Kansas doing graduate studies, David was accepted into A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Kirkville, Mo., where he completed medical school—ranking 15 out of 110 students. After completing his medical internship in 1966, Dr. Brooks entered into private practice with Dr. Charles Lyon in Ypsilanti, Mich., where they remained in partnership for 55 years. He was also on faculty at Michigan State University and on staff at Beyer Hospital in Ypsilanti for many years. Dr. Brooks and his wife, Peggy, live in Ann Arbor, Michigan where they are enjoying their retirement. They have four children, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Scott Carter '80 is the Chief Life Sciences Officer for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). He is the executive leader of the mission of the DZS, including animal care, health, welfare, and conservation as well as education programs serving students of all ages in Southeast Michigan and beyond. In addition to the bachelor’s degree in biology he earned at Southwestern College, he holds a master’s degree in liberal studies from Wichita State University. He began his career as a zookeeper at the Sedgwick County Zoo and was formerly the mammal curator and director of conservation and animal welfare for the Detroit Zoo. He helped found the DZS’s Center for Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare and Ethics and helps to lead the programs of science, advocacy and training that it encompasses. A career working with and for animals has many highlights, including forming relationships with amazing animals, working in the field conducting primate surveys in the Amazon, immersion and learning in wild places all over the world, being part of what became a landmark decision to no longer house elephants for ethical reasons, and advocacy for animals and wildlife at local, state, and federal levels. He is a Professional Fellow, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and a Fellow of the Noyce Leadership Institute.
Dr. Steven Short '78 who graduated cum laude with majors in both biology and chemistry while also earning a minor in sociology. He also remained busy as a student participating in several extracurricular activities. After graduating, he attend A. T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Mo. He spent his internship in Flint, Mich., and completed his residency in 1987 in Wichita at the KU Medical Center. He then completed mission work in Bolivia. He served the Indian Health Services in Tahlequah, Okla., until 1991. He also served a pulmonary research fellowship with the Center for Disease Control from 1991 to 1995. Since then, he has served as board-certified pulmonologist with expertise in critical care and internal medicine. Dr. Short continues his private practice in Manhattan as a pulmonologist with a special emphasis in critical care and sleep medicine. Additionally, his office serves multiple other clinics in North Central and Western Kansas. He has also served a confirmation teacher his church for the last 20 years.
