The biology honor society
of Southwestern College has been named the top chapter of its kind
in
the nation,
the best among
425 chapters located at four- and two-year colleges and universities
throughout the United States.
SC’s Beta Beta Beta chapter received
the Lloyd M. Bertholf Chapter Award for its outstanding academic achievements
and activities during
the 2001-2002
school year. Advisor Pat Ross described the award as especially significant considering
the relatively small size of the group.
Others chapters in the competition are major institutions such as Kansas State,
Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Emporia State.
“Although we are one of the smallest schools in our district, we have consistently
had one of the largest delegations at our annual district conferences,” Ross
says. “This past year, our students swept the research poster competition.”
Ross
points out that the group’s 25 members have promoted outreach in
the community, research, and scholarship, and as well as friendship:
- Delta
Chapter was involved in a number of activities that benefited
the local community. For example, the annual Science Kids Day involved
local
grade school
children who came to campus to witness a series of demonstrations
(presented by chapter members) covering biology, chemistry, and
physics.
- The group invited student, faculty,
and guest speakers to present topics including ecosystems, evolution,
genes, enzymes,
metals,
and public health.
Delegates of
the Delta Chapter attended conventions in Steelville, Mo.,
and in San Antonio, Texas.
- Students presented award-winning poster
presentations at the annual Tri-Beta district convention. Rachel
Copeland, Ali Wait,
and Carina McGowan
won
all three of the top awards for the John C. Johnson research
poster competition.
- Social activities of the group included
a pizza party and biology Pictionary tournament; the BBB movie
night featuring
a documentary (“Cane Toads: An
Unusual History”), and an orientation session for
biology students covering such topics as which faculty
has the loudest
clothing. The group also lost volleyball
matches to both the science faculty and the business club,
but won the Homecoming float competition.
Ali Wait, (president
during the 2001-2002 year), described the chapter
as one that reflects its home institution.
“
Southwestern College sets itself apart from other colleges through the interconnectedness
of its students and professors; the same is true of our chapter,” Wait
says. “The members of our group hang out together,
study together, travel together, frequently eat together,
and in the common case of roommates, live
together.”
Biology is one of the largest
academic major groups at Southwestern College
and has a distinguished
tradition
at the school.
Lloyd Bertholf, for
whom the Beta
Beta Beta award is named, was a Southwestern
alumnus and is a member of the SC Natural
Science Hall of Fame.
Bertholf
died
this year at age
103.
Photos: (top) Shown above are chapter members (l. to
r.) advisor Pat Ross, Luke Vierthaler, Aron Fast, Casey Dreitz, Carina
McGowan, Bret Bement, Elda Perales, Railynn Adelhardt, Margo Straub,
Kari Good, and Kristi Weaver. (left) Aron Fast, junior from Hesston,
carries the "votes" (plastic bottles) cast in Tri-Beta's recent ecology
focus contest. The activity represents Tri-Beta's active role on
campus, a role that led to its being named oustanding chapter in
the nation.
Krug Accepts Top Finance Post at SC
Sheila R. Krug has been named vice president
for finance at Southwestern College. As the top business officer
of the
college,
she now oversees
budgeting, forecasting and planning, investments, accounting, and control,
as well as human resources. She serves on the president’s administrative
council.
Krug had been controller at the college since 2001,
and was an auditor for Ernst and Young LLP in Kansas City, Mo., before
joining
the SC
administration.
She received a master of professional accountancy from Wichita State
University where she graduated with high honors.
“
We were pleased to have someone of Sheila’s ability to promote into this
position,” says President Dick Merriman. “During difficult economic
times, it is crucial to have needed information readily available, and Sheila’s
mastery of the budgeting and finance processes are proving invaluable.”
Leadership
Through Service
SC’s 2003 Retirees
|
|
|
|
| Ruth Archambeau, campaign coordinator, SC staff
since 1976. Other positions at SC: institutional advancement
office assistant, management of alumni programs, director of
development. |
David Nichols, vice president for academic affairs
and dean of faculty, Southwestern College administrator/faculty
member since 1978. Other positions at SC: vice president for
development; chairperson, division of management; professor of
social science and business. |
Sharon Shetlar
Taylor, professor of nursing,
SC faculty since 1986. Other positions at SC: director of assessment,
associate dean of faculty. |
Bill Stephens,
director of athletics, SC faculty since 1969. Other positions
at SC: Basketball coach (total of 11 years);
tennis, football, and golf coach. |
