Autumn 2000
STEPHEN ROYER JOINS
FERNWOOD BOTANIC
GARDENS
Steven Royer (MS Biology, '95) recently took a position as
Special Projects Manager for Fernwood Botanic Gardens, located seven miles
south of Berrien Springs, Michigan.
He comes to Fernwood from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he worked
for the American Association of Botanic Gardens and Arboreta (AABGA) from
1996-2000. At AABGA, Royer
organized the World Botanic Gardens Congress held in Asheville, North Carolina,
in June of 2000, and two national botanic conferences. He also ran a plants collections
consortium, which coordinated among botanic gardens to preserve the germ plasm
of many different plant groups.
"Each garden specializes in a particular plant group," notes
Royer, and coordination among gardens insures that a broad diversity of plants
are preserved.
Royer
is happy to be back in Michigan, his home state, and looks forward to his work
at Fernwood. "I'll be
responsible for planning a regional meeting of AABGA," says Royer,
continuing his involvement with this organization. "I'll also lead out in horticulture education, grant
writing, and curation at Fernwood."
In addition, Royer will start an outdoor fern garden and work on
reorganizing the fern conservatory.
"I took the job because I love the work."
Biology
at AU will no doubt benefit as Royer builds even stronger relationships between
Fernwood and the botany program in biology. Dennis Woodland, Professor of Botany at AU, regularly takes
his students there, especially to visit the tall grass prairie. "This is the largest reconstructed
tall grass prairie in the area," says Woodland. Fernwood is a privately endowed botanical garden that serves
as a leader in conservation and nature and art education in southwestern
Michigan.
STOUT LEAVES CHAIRMANSHIP, HEADS UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
After 17 years as chair of biology, John Stout has stepped
away from this position and taken on new responsibilities as Dean of Scholarly
Research for the University. He
will continue as a member of the biology faculty. The new chair is David Steen (see related story).
When
asked to identify the most rewarding aspects of his tenure as chair, Stout
replied without hesitation.
"First, we've assembled a faculty team that is exceptional in all
ways–in teaching, advising and research. Andrews is a place where talented biologists want to
work. Second, we've seen student
success steadily improve, building on what had been done before, and this is
especially rewarding." Stout
points to a loyal and generous alumni as an area of special satisfaction. "We've seen alumni giving grow
from about $1,000/year in the late 80's to an average of over $22,000 per
year."
It
is this overarching vision, this commitment to see the biology department
become more effective at teaching and mentoring students as they prepare for
careers of service, that was a hallmark of Stout's chairmanship. Bill Chobotar, a long-time colleague in
biology, agrees. "His
leadership resulted in the development of academic tracks that best serve our
students, whether they have chosen pre-professional areas… or tracks that
prepare them for graduate school…" Chobotar also notes that Stout has "set a campus wide
standard for promoting undergraduate, graduate and faculty research."
Stout's
new position as Dean of Scholarly Research will build on his rich experience in
research that has attracted about $1,300,000 in funding during his 31 years
with Andrews University. "I
have really enjoyed teaching and being able to continue a productive research program,"
says Stout. "We've developed
an excellent research team, almost continuously funded, and have worked with
numerous, talented undergraduate and graduate students." Indeed, Stout is arguably the most
influential research mentor among the current generation of biology teachers at
Seventh-day Adventist colleges, with over 12 former MS students employed at
various institutions around the world.
One of these, Jim Hayward at Andrews, says "Stout, more than anyone
before or since, taught me how to do science."
Stout's
vision as Dean of Scholarly Research is to expand opportunities to support more
effective and creative professional contributions among the University faculty,
and to more effectively couple this activity with mentoring opportunities for students. He will also continue his lead role in
shaping the University's strategic plan.
"This is a comprehensive plan for the undergraduate experience at
Andrews University," notes Stout.
"The focus is on attracting students we can best serve spiritually,
socio-culturally, and academically–on developing something we can define
as the 'Andrews University experience' for undergraduates." Given what Stout accomplished for
biology as chair of the department, the University's Strategic Plan is in good
hands.
STEEN NAMED BIOLOGY CHAIR
D
avid Steen, a member of the AU biology faculty since 1986,
became department chair on July 1, 2000.
He replaces John Stout, chair of the department since 1983 (see related
article). Recently, Steen was
honored as "Teacher of the Year" by the Andrews University faculty
(2000), a well-deserved honor.
"Steen was one of the best teachers I ever had," notes
colleague Tom Goodwin, who took General Biology from him many years ago at
Southern Adventist University.
"He expected much but also gave much."
When
asked about his vision as chair, Steen mentioned several issues. Of particular concern is "quality
of life" in the department–keeping added burdens to a minimum and
enhancing social interactions among faculty and students. Other themes include a more intentional
focus on the department's mission, developing a focused student recruiting
strategy, and maintaining and building relationships with alumni. According to Steen, the alumni database
has expanded to include pictures when available. "This allows us to connect a face with a name,"
notes Steen. This strong
"visual" sense is evident in the classroom as well. For example, Steen carries around a
stack of pictures of every student in Foundations of Biology, so he can
associate a name and face for each.
This simple strategy helps build a positive learning environment for
students.
Steen
is not new to the position of chair.
He served as chair of biology and director of the Division of Natural
Science at Southern Adventist University from 1981 to 1986 and as interim chair
of biology at Andrews University from 1994-1995. We look forward to his leadership in the coming years.
HOT SELLING BOTANY TEXT
HITS 3RD EDITION
The 3rd edition of Contemporary Plant Systematics, authored by AU Professor of Botany Dennis Woodland, was
published in August of this year.
The book is used in over 110 colleges and universities around the world,
with adopters hailing from places as diverse as Norway, South Africa, Papua New
Guinea, and Russia. "Writing
this book has been possible because of an international network of
contacts," notes Woodland.
"The book is truly a global text."
The
3rd edition includes an updated photoatlas CD with over 4,700 images, developed
in cooperation with the Department of Botany at the University of Wisconsin at
Madison, and numerous enhancements to the text itself. Originally published by Prentice Hall,
the 2nd and 3rd editions were taken on by the Andrews University Press and have
become the "best seller" for AU Press.
On
September 13, 2000, Woodland was publically honored at a College of Arts and
Sciences faculty meeting.
“We acknowledged his contribution to knowledge and the good name
of Andrews University,” said press director Ron Knott.
SERVICE LEARNING
IN BIOLOGY
Biology students in Vertebrate Zoology–Mammalogy
(Fall semester, 2000) have a unique assignment. They must share with the community as part of learning about
mammals. Service projects
currently underway include leading out in Pathfinder mammal honors and doing
presentations to local schools on mammals and mammal conservation. "It
gave me an opportunity to really make a difference," noted Susan Mentges,
senior biology major. "I
really felt like I was appreciated where I served and I felt like the younger
children really benefited from having college-aged role models."
This
is the third section of Vertebrate Zoology to be taught with a service
component after revisions initiated in 1998 by Gordon Atkins and Tom
Goodwin. These faculty teach
Vertebrate Zoology on alternate years, with Atkins featuring Ornithology and
Goodwin Mammalogy. Participants in
previous classes have offered science enrichment classes for homeschool
families, participated with local nature centers in developing and maintaining
their resources, created a "bluebird" trail on the AU campus, and
helped develop museum and other resources for use in area schools. "I saw this as a very valuable
learning tool," said Atkins, who first taught Ornithology with a service
component in 1999. "Based on
the responses from the students in their evaluation, this first year was very
successful and much more beneficial than I thought it would be."
Service-learning
revisions to Vertebrate Zoology were supported by a grant from the Frederick F.
Upton Foundation. According to
Larry Ulery, on-campus coordinator for the Upton-funded initiative, this grant
funded about 30 such course revisions across numerous departments on
campus. "Every teacher
expressed that it went well," he noted.
About
40 college students, mostly from biology, have participated in another service
opportunity over the past four years.
This program, sponsored by Tri-Beta and coordinated by Biology's Rob
Zdor, provides hands-on science education for 4th and 5th grade classes at
Sylvester Elementary School in Berrien Springs. Grade school kids have cultured, stained, and visualized
bacteria from their hands and throats; done simple electrophoresis experiments;
and participated in frog dissections, among many other activities. Biology MS student Jason Jeffery has
participated in the program for three years. "I remember back to grade 4 and 5. It was exciting to have a visitor,
especially a demonstration…
I now get a chance to share a little bit of what I know."
BIOFEEDBACK CHANGES EDITOR
Jim Hayward has edited BioFeedback
since its inception in 1986. The biology faculty have greatly appreciated his
contribution and the way it has enhanced communication with our alumni. Jim has asked that this responsibility
be passed on, and the mantle has fallen on Tom Goodwin. David Steen has worked closely with
Hayward over the years, especially in layout, and will continue to oversee this
aspect of BioFeedback production.
Thanks, Jim, and we'll miss your expert editorial pen.
Alumni Notes:
Ross
O. Barnes
(BA
1967) earned a PhD from the University of California, San Diego, in Earth
Science. He owns Rosario
Geoscience Associates and enjoys keeping Fidalgo Island, Washington, (home of
the Walla Walla College Marine Station) "green and clean."
Daddiel
Castanon-V.
(BA
1965, BS 1968) received a DDS from Loma Linda University and, after many years
of service, recently retired from the faculty of the School of Dentistry at
Loma Linda. He has also served as
Director of Dental Services at the San Ysidro Health Center, and as Director of
Networking and Contracts Administration for the Community Health Group.
Jere
Clayburn
(MS
1996) is enjoying his work as a science teacher at South Lancaster Academy in
Massachusetts. He is collaborating
with a group of secondary science teachers from New England to more actively
involve students in the scientific process.
Marc
Daniel Gutekunst
(BS
1989), research associate with Emory University's Institute of African Studies,
is actively involved in conservation of mountain gorillas of Rwanda, his home
country. He recently published a
book, Majii and the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda, describing the plight of
these magnificent creatures. This
innovative book includes numerous illustrations made by elementary school
students in Georgia.
Wandyr
Moore
(BA
1951) holds an MD degree from Howard University and practiced as a
rheumatologist and allergist. He
is currently retired in El Cajon, California, but remains active in volunteer
work.
Barbara
Rodenberg
(BS
1968) went on to earn an MA from the University of Maryland and teaches on the
education faculty at Columbia Union College. She is currently busy with her
dissertation towards a PhD in curriculum and instruction.
Gerald
(Jerry) Snow
(Faculty 1971-1979) is currently working part-time for the U. S. Forest Service at the Rocky Mountain Research Station. He is interested in the effects of photoperiod on development of western spruce budworm. Snow also serves as a docent at the Museum of Northern Arizona, where he specializes in Hopi and Navajo Indian culture. He would love to hear from former graduate students and can be reached at jjsnow@earthlink.net