Download the Summer 2004 PDF - Augsburg College

McNair Scholar Stephanie Perkins likes Augsburg’s personal touchA science fairproject in eighthgrade on theoxidation statesof iron hookedStephaniePerkins on thestudy of science.This fall theMcNair Scholar will be a senior atAugsburg College majoring in scienceand working with other students as apeer instructor under associate professorJoan Kunz in chemistry. Augsburghas transformed Perkins’ childhoodcuriosity about science into a meaningfuleducation that she will take out intothe world. A first-generation collegestudent, Perkins has found the McNairScholar program to be an indispensableguide along the way.When Perkins first visitedAugsburg, she was impressed with theway the chemistry faculty memberswent out of their way to make her feelwelcomed and special, a culture thatshe says is unique to a small collegelike Augsburg. Perkins has continued toexperience that personal attentionthroughout her education here.“This is what makes good scientists—theability to interact with thefaculty in this way,” Perkins said.“Science involves communicating withpeers and consensus about ideas.”While it was the faculty who attractedPerkins to Augsburg, she feels thatfacilities are important, too, becausethey help the school compete for thebest students and faculty. She believesthe new Science Building will beextremely beneficial to students, theJAMES AGRE ’72, M.D.Ministry Medical Group,Eagle River,Wis.LOREN BARBER, PH.D.3MGARY CARLSON ’953M, RetiredFRED FAXVOG, PH.D.Honeywell, Inc.STEVEN GRINDE ’81, D.D.S.Maple Grove Dental CenterJOEL L. HOULTONHoneywell, Inc.DAVID KNUTSON ’69Park Nicollet Medical CenterPAUL S. MUELLER ’84, M.D.Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.JOEL T. NELSON ’85, PH.D.University of Wisconsin-MadisonRICK PANNINGFairview Health ServicesRICHARD SEIME ’70, PH.D.Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.school, and the field of science.According to Perkins, a new facility willallow faculty and students to conductmore effective research and it willhouse additional and better instruments.After graduation, Perkins is planningto pursue graduate school and adoctorate in physical chemistry. ■AUGSBURG SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARDRALPH SULERUD, PH.D.Professor Emeritus of BiologyAugsburg CollegeNEAL O.THORPE ’60, PH.D.M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust,Vancouver,Wash.Augsburg Board ofRegents and Staff LiaisonsRUTH E. JOHNSON ’74, M.D.,Science Advisory Board ChairMayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.BEVERLY THOMPSONHATLEN, R.N., M.S.N.Minnesota Life CollegeEx officio—Augsburg CollegeCHRISTOPHER KIMBALL, PH.D.Vice President for Academic and StudentAffairs and Dean of the CollegeJOAN KUNZ, PH.D.Associate Professor of ChemistryNANCY STEBLAY, PH.D.Professor of PsychologyAssistant to the Dean for Special Projects9