Hesston College chemistry students will benefit from a National Science Foundation grant awarded to college chemistry professor Jim Yoder. The grant comes in the form of a Faculty Fellowship in the research Site for Educators of Chemistry (RSEC) program at Wichita State University.

During that 10-week fellowship beginning at the end of May, Yoder will teach and conduct research at WSU. “The experience will make me a better teacher,” Yoder explained, “coupled with a significant experience with current research in chemistry. It will update my skills and experience in that area.”

As a result, Yoder expects to be able to do some research with second-year chemistry students at Hesston College. “This grant should make WSU’s instrumentation available to us,” Yoder said. “Ultimately, the continuing cooperation and interaction between Hesston and WSU on a research level should be a significant benefit to our science majors.”

One of the RSEC program goals is to develop long-term relationships and partnerships between two- and four-year colleges and universities in Kansas, southwestern Missouri, and northern Oklahoma. “Students at WSU are able to conduct research,” Yoder said, “but we can do very little since we don’t have the equipment, the graduate program, or the graduate students. So this program is designed for institutions like Hesston and people like me.”

Yoder emphasized that this grant only continues the relationship between the two chemistry departments. “I’ve spent two sabbaticals there and taught chemistry there numerous summers. In addition, the WSU chemistry department was a supporting institution of the Fulbright grant I received, enabling me to teach and lead student research at the University of Swaziland during the 2007-08 school year.”

Yoder is also quick to point out that one of the goals of the RSEC program are relationships that enhance the effectiveness with which faculty develop the career potential of students from under-represented groups. “That goal is also part of our Science Department’s strategic plan to be more effective with minority students in the U.S.,” he said.

“We are proud of Dr. Yoder’s receiving this prestigious award,” said Dr. Sandra Zerger, Hesston College vice president of Academic Affairs. “It speaks well of his work and will allow Hesston College students to benefit from these research opportunities.”