It was all part of activities designed to introduce the 76 students from the Pontotoc Middle School science club to careers in the sciences. Darth Vader was only part of the discussion, said

Murrell Godfrey, associate professor and director of UM’s forensic chemistry program.“It’s all about exposing these kids to the fun side of science,” said Godfrey, who joined the group of fifth- and sixth-graders as they watched a demonstration on how laser beams really work. “There is a shortage of scientists in the USA, and we know if we can get them exposed at a young age, then we can keep them involved.”

The students spent the morning touring the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry before having lunch in the Grove, complete with ice cream frozen on the spot using liquid nitrogen. The afternoon included tours and demonstrations in the university’s Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Godfrey, who coordinated the visit with the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, said the goal is to get students excited about science and to give them an “opportunity to see what real-world science is like.”

Godfrey and NOBCChE also used the visit to expose the students to the world of forensic chemistry, which involves the scientific analysis of evidence in crime scene investigations. The students even got to participate in some hands-on activities. The university’s forensic chemistry program is one of only two nationally accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Gary Brown, NOBCChE national student representative, said he considered the visit to be “pretty successful.”

“Across the board, you see a decline in people going into the sciences,” said Brown, a doctoral candidate in chemistry from New Orleans. “We’re trying to inspire youth, especially low-income individuals and minorities, to think about how science impacts their everyday lives. On top of that, we simply want to expose them early and hopefully leave a lasting impression so that they will one day pursue this awesome degree in chemistry.”

John Chaz “CJ” Keith, a 12-year-old from Pontotoc, said he enjoyed the demonstrations and hopes to come back soon.

“It was pretty cool learning about how you can use tree bark to discover the condition of the environment 10 years or even 50 years ago,” said Keith, son of Gerald and Christina Keith of Pontotoc.

Jaryd Paige, the 12-year-old son of Patrick and Tonya Adams of Pontotoc and Terry Paige of Tupelo, agreed.

“The laser beam demonstration was great, too,” Paige said. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but the light show was cool.”

Murray Collum, teacher and science club adviser, said the activities were a total success.

“They’re having a great learning experience and that’s so important when educating teens,” Collum said. “The faculty and staff here made it their goal to find ways to interest students in science. And I appreciate their efforts to help our students see a connection between their lives and the joy of science.”

For more information on the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry or the forensic chemistry program at Ole Miss, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/chemistry/. For more information on the Department of Physics and Astronomy, go to http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/physics_and_astronomy/.

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-01

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-02

Dr. Murrell Godfrey, Director of Forensic Chemistry at Ole Miss, talks to a group of middle school students from Pontotoc Middle School. The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Ole Miss senior Dave Crasto talks to students from Pontotoc Middile School.   The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Ole Miss senior Dave Crasto and Dr. Amala Dass, assistant professor of Chemistry, prepare a demonstration for students from Pontotoc Middile School.   The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Ole Miss senior Dave Crasto and Dr. Amala Dass, assistant professor of Chemistry, prepare a demonstration for students from Pontotoc Middile School.   The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Dr. Amala Dass, assistant professor of Chemistry, shows students from Pontotoc Middle School how different elements burn with different color flames.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Students from Pontotoc Middle School in Pontotoc, MS get to view a laser shown to them by Louis McNamara, far right, a graduate student in physical chemistry from Georgia.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-07

Dr. Amala Dass, assistant professor of Chemistry, shows students from Pontotoc Middle School how different elements burn with different color flames.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Green Light to Education

Students from Pontotoc Middle School in Pontotoc, MS get to view a laser shown to them by Louis McNamara, far right, a graduate student in physical chemistry from Georgia.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-09

Students from Pontotoc Middle School in Pontotoc, MS get to view a laser shown to them by Louis McNamara, far right, a graduate student in physical chemistry from Georgia.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-11

Dr. Kerri Scott, associate professor of forensic chemistry, shows students from Pontotoc Middle School cool things in chemistry, such as lighting a twenty dollar bill on fire without actually burning and destroying the bill.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-12

Dr. Kerri Scott, associate professor of forensic chemistry, shows students from Pontotoc Middle School cool things in chemistry, such as lighting metal on fire.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of MississippiPhoto by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-13

Dr. Kerri Scott, associate professor of forensic chemistry, shows students from Pontotoc Middle School cool things in chemistry.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-14

Pontotoc Middle Schoolers Haley Brock, 12, Tishuna Blanch, 11, and Jaylon Conner, 11, dissolve styrofoam in a chemistry lab at Ole Miss.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-15

Dr. Kerri Scott, associate professor of forensic chemistry, shows students from Pontotoc Middle School cool things in chemistry, such as a banana frozen by liquid nitrogen.  And then using that banana to hammer a nail into a board.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-16

Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-17

Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-18

Students from Pontotoc Middle School, Pontotoc, MS, help make ice cream with liquid nitrogen.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Middle Schoolers at the Department of Chemistry-20

Katie Shettles, 11,  from Pontotoc Middle School, Pontotoc, MS, helped make her ice cream with liquid nitrogen.  The University of Mississippi’s Department of Chemistry is hosting the 75-100 middle school students today, May 15, 2012, for a morning of science and fun. Photo by Kevin Bain/The University of Mississippi

Although Caleb Herod looked at schools as far away as Missouri and Iowa, he eventually decided to stay close to home at the University of Mississippi. And after a college career that has included two Washington internships and dozens of hours of volunteer service, the Abbeville native would make that same decision again, he said.

Herod, a student in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi, is among 3,363 candidates for degrees who graduate Saturday (May 12). He graduates with a degree in public policy leadership and a minor in mathematics.

“When I was thinking about colleges to go to, Ole Miss wasn’t on my radar, but as I started doing campus visits, Ole Miss started to stand out because everyone I met with sold me on the fact that Ole Miss could provide me with the same opportunities I would get anywhere else, plus I would have the Lott Institute and the Honors College,” he said. “I knew I wanted to get into politics and eventually go to law school, and I wanted to have a policy focus and not just study political science. I also wanted to be comfortable and have a feeling of familiarity.”

Herod is a Lott Scholar and a Luckyday Merit Scholar. He has been actively involved in campus activities, including serving as an Honors Ambassador, Associated Student Body chief of staff and an intern in the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation. He also was retreat moderator and coordinator for One Mississippi. He was inducted into the Ole Miss Hall of Fame, was a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class and the Black Student Union. He belongs to Phi Kappa Phi and National Society of Collegiate Scholars and was president of ODK.

His volunteer service includes work with city of Oxford Downtown Safety Task Force, Habitat for Humanity and So Others Might Eat.

Herod grew up understanding the importance of education. His father, James Herod, was principal at Lafayette Elementary School in Oxford and his mother, Ann, who was a fifth-grade English teacher.

He is thankful he was able to have great professors in his time at Ole Miss, including Curtis Wilkie, Cook Chair and associate professor of journalism, and Robert Haws, former public policy leadership chair.

“I was taught by so many different people who are amazing at what they do and really care about you,” Herod said. “I enjoyed Curtis Wilkie’s class because it was great to listen to his stories about the things that he’s done throughout his life. It was around the time he was finishing writing ‘The Fall of the House of Zeus’ and so I look back at that and think, wow, I was right there when he was putting the finishing touches on it.”

John Samonds, SMBHC associate dean, said Herod has been a terrific member of the Honors College and the university community these past four years.

“Through his work with One Mississippi and the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, he has epitomized what it means to be a citizen-scholar,” Samonds said. “He is also just a great guy with a terrific sense of humor. We are proud of what he has accomplished and anticipate celebrating his future successes.”

Last summer, Herod was able to put his political knowledge to the test during two internships in Washington, D.C., with the Department of Defense and with U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran’s office.

“I was able to go with people who were testifying in front of the House Arms Committee and it was a great opportunity to think on my feet, apply my knowledge and contribute to the conversation,” Herod said. “It cemented in my mind that I wanted to do this in the future.”

William Gottshall, executive director of the Lott Leadership Institute, was especially proud of Herod’s internship at the Department of Defense.

“What a surprise when at an event in Washington, D.C., when I was accompanying Sen. (Roger) Wicker to a hearing for the new Chief of Staff for the Army, to look in the audience and see Caleb with the group from DOD,” Gottshall said. “I was proud to introduce him to Sen. Wicker as a Lott Scholar. In addition to Caleb being an exceptional student he has become a good friend, and friends like to see friends succeed.”

After graduation, Herod is joining Teach for America for two years to teach students in the Mississippi Delta, with plans for law school after that.

When he graduates, he will tie the record for most hours in the honors program, so he knows how to utilize his time wisely. His advice for other Ole Miss students is to make sure they work hard.

“Take classes that are fun, but also challenging, and study as if you are going to fail,” Herod said. “It’s like working out; you need to build muscles you never knew you had.”

For more information on programs in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, go to http://www.honors.olemiss.edu/.

“Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible,” will be on display at the J.D. Williams Library beginning May 29. The exhibit examines the little-known story behind one of the most widely read books in the world.

“We are delighted to have been selected as a site for this exhibition,” said Julia Rholes, UM dean of libraries. “The captivating history and influence of the King James Bible will interest many viewers.” The library is among only 40 locations throughout the country selected to host the exhibition. The successful application benefited from the support of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and the departments of Philosophy and Religion, English, and History.

“The library hopes that this exhibit will help viewers gain a better understanding of how the book influenced 400 years of our culture in surprising ways,” said Melissa Dennis, outreach and instruction librarian and assistant professor. “This is not an exhibit designed for just one discipline. People from different departments on campus and members of the local community may examine the display in different ways.”

The exhibit includes high-quality reproductions of rare and historic books, manuscripts and works of art from the collections of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., and the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford. Full of rich images and information, the exhibition consists of 14 graphic panels combining narrative text with numerous high-resolution images of rare books, manuscripts and works of art, printed on double-sided, freestanding banners. It not only focuses on the fascinating story of the Bible’s creation but also examines the book’s afterlife and its influence on personal lives and local communities.

“While I love the history of the translating and writing of the King James Bible, the most fascinating aspect to me personally is how the language and worldview represented there is still influencing our world today,” said Christina Torbert, head of serials and associate professor. “We hear echoes of well-loved phrases in sermons, literature, politics and casual conversations. As a society, we are still having similar conversations about the power of government and the church’s role in politics and law.”

The King James Bible influenced literary works in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Many authors have demonstrated the influence of the language and style of the King James Bible on their work; among them John Milton, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

In conjunction with the exhibit, Archives and Special Collections will display some interesting Bibles from the collections and other materials related to religious and biblical influences in Southern history and culture.

The traveling exhibit was organized by the Folger Shakespeare Library and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. It is based on an exhibit of the same name developed by the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Bodleian Library, with assistance from the Harry Ransom Center of the University of Texas. The exhibit was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible,” will be on display on the first floor of the library during regular hours through June 29. For more information on the exhibit, visit http://www.manifoldgreatness.org/.

Rich, a student from Madison in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi, is one of the 3,363 candidates for degrees who graduate Saturday (May 12).

She turned her enthusiasm for math into her honors thesis, “Technology Use in High School Mathematics Classrooms in North Mississippi.” She observed four teachers in area teaching two different math classes and interviewed them about their opinions on how technology should be applied in the classroom.

“There are so many new education technologies, and many teachers are not informed about effective technology use or trained in use of educational technology, but some are,” Rich said. “So the reason I wanted to write my thesis (on this) was to see how Mississippi teachers are doing.”

Both of Rich’s older brothers, Tom and David, attended UM, and she discovered that the university offered everything she was looking for in a school. “The University of Mississippi was a great value for their education, and I knew I would be challenged academically in the Honors College,” said Rich, daughter of Neal and Cindy Rich.

She credits William Staton, UM professor of mathematics, with encouraging her career path.

“He teaches with enthusiasm and inspires you to want to learn more,” Rich said. “He is gracious with his time, devoted to his students and his classes are challenging.”

She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board and Pi Mu Epsilon and a volunteer with Leap Frog tutoring. She earned the Alfred Hume Award for Outstanding Senior this spring. Although she has maintainted a 3.93 GPA, she said that grades are not the most important part of college life.

“What you learn is the most important part, not just the grade you receive. The learning experience is equally important. I had two physics classes I worked really hard in, and I earned a B, but I learned so much,” Rich said.

During the fall of her freshman year, she joined the Center for Mathematics and Science Education, and was the first Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, double major scholarship recipient, enabling her to pursue both a mathematics and a mathematics education degree. In return, she worked two hours a week at the center.

“While working at the CMSE, Mary Margaret was able to interact with graduate students pursuing their master’s and doctorates in mathematics education, as well as interact with faculty involved in mathematics and mathematics education,” said Alice Steimle, CMSE associate director.  “Mary Margaret played key roles in helping us achieve our mission of improving mathematics and science education in Mississippi.

“We have had the opportunity to watch her grow professionally into an outstanding student and someone who is passionate about mathematics and mathematics education.”

After graduation, she plans to relax in Madison for a few weeks, then return to Oxford this summer as a lead instructor of Math Camp before she begins her master’s program in the fall.

Steimle said she is pleased Rich will return after graduation. Rich has been offered a graduate fellowship, which will allow her to become even more involved in the professional learning community that has been created at CMSE.

“Mary Margaret has led the initiative to create a seminar and virtual learning community for Future Math Teachers of Mississippi, and I have been extremely impressed with her,” Steimle said. “Her determination, passion, content knowledge and enthusiasm are to be commended. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with her thus far and are looking forward to a longstanding relationship and bright future ahead.”

And what is Rich’s advice about math? “Don’t let a past experience with math influence your feelings. Give it a chance, because everything in the world is based on math. It is the most consistent subject we have,” she said

Friday evening (May 11), the university graduated three African-American students with doctorates in chemistry, an exceptional number for any university.

“On average, about 50 African-American students receive Ph.D.s in chemistry nationwide each year, so UM produced 6 percent of the national total,” said Maurice Eftink, associate provost and professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

The history-making candidates who received their degrees Friday were Kari Copeland of Coldwater, Margo Montgomery of New Orleans and Jeffrey Veals of Gloster. And a fourth African-American student, Shanna Stoddard of Louisville, Ky., is on track to earn her doctorate in chemistry in December.

“This is a significant achievement for these three graduates and their families, and it is also significant for the university,” Chancellor Dan Jones said. “UM 2020, our new strategic plan, calls on us as the flagship university of our state to lead our state and region in preparing professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, especially from underrepresented groups.”

It is the second time in recent years that UM has set a benchmark in STEM fields. The university produced four African-American Ph.D.s in mathematics in 2006.

“That was an even more outstanding achievement given that there are only 15-to-30 African-American Ph.D.s in math granted each year. But the current achievement is still pretty noteworthy,” Eftink said.

Charles Hussey, UM chair of chemistry and biochemistry, lauded his faculty for their support.

“Our three students represent a significant proportion of the national graduates,” he said. “This department and its faculty are absolutely devoted to the success of minority students, regardless of whether they are undergraduate or graduate students.”

Besides the three African-Americans, four more UM students were awarded doctoral degrees in chemistry and biochemistry this commencement: Rajesh Kota of India, Debra Jo Scardino of Moss Point, Lei Wang of China and Ashley Wright of Texarkana, Texas.

Overall enrollment of minority graduate students in chemistry and biochemistry at UM has been noteworthy over the years. In addition to the three students who graduated, four more minority students have passed their prospectus and are moving on to begin Ph.D. work.

“Hopefully, these graduates will view their UM experiences as positive and will spread the word, so that others may become interested in taking advantage of similar opportunities,” Hussey said.

The newest alums have already begun cheering for their alma mater.

“I am elated to earn my doctoral degree from the University of Mississippi,” Copeland said. “I feel my degree is just as worthy as a degree from Harvard or any other Ivy League institution.”

“I am truly honored to become an Ole Miss grad,” Montgomery said. “I hope to become a role model for future scientists. I want to remind students that no matter how impossible things may seem at times, if you continue to study and work hard, everything and anything is possible.”

Veals said receiving his degree felt “surreal, but great.”

“If you would have asked me nine years ago as a freshman if I would have a Ph. D. by the time I was 27, I would have laughed and said, ‘Yeah, right,’” he said. “Ole Miss has grown on me over the years, so it does feel good to have received it from here.”

Faculty advisers said each student was exceptional in his or her respective field of study.

“Kari’s general area is computational quantum chemistry,” said Greg Tschumper, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Copeland’s adviser. “She worked on characterizing the subtle interactions between molecules that influence many important processes in chemistry and biology, including how molecules in our bodies – proteins and DNA, for example – recognize each other.”

Copeland completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biochemistry from UM. Her immediate plans are to continue research at Jackson State University as a post-doctoral researcher.

Walter Cleland, assistant chair and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and Montgomery’s adviser, said she proved herself during four years of teaching at UM and already has tenure track offers from several colleges, including one in Mississippi.

“Margo has had a long road to this achievement,” Cleland said. “She has endured a lot and is one of the bright spots in our program. Her research in bio-organic chemistry is exceptional, but she is very interested in teaching. She’s done a fantastic job with the students she has mentored. We’re terribly proud of her.”

Veals, whose field is computational chemistry, used computational methods to explore the possibilities of storing and releasing energy using strained molecular structures.

“Working with Jeffrey was every research adviser’s dream,” professor Steven Davis said. “He was very independent, hardworking and creative. One of the most memorable interactions was when he proposed a new method of interpreting strain energy in molecules that I had not even considered. It worked out remarkably well and will be a used in one of our publications.”

Copeland is a Southern Regional Education Board Scholar. One of the organization’s initiatives is to increase faculty diversity in America’s colleges and universities. “In light of this, I plan to eventually seek a faculty position,” Copeland said.

Montgomery holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana. Her dissertation was on “Synthesis and Characterization of Nickel Complexes with Relevance to Acireductone Dioxygenase.” She hopes to develop a summer science academy where students from all walks of life are exposed to the sciences in a nontraditional manner.

“Creating an interest for science at an early age will hopefully encourage more minorities to study science in college and beyond,” Montgomery said. “No longer will it be a phenomenon to have three African-Americans graduate with a doctoral degree in chemistry, but rather routine.”

Veals, who earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UM, is to be a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Missouri. His long-term goal is to become a chemistry professor.

“I think many otherwise qualified prospective African-American students in Mississippi may think that a Ph.D. in chemistry is beyond their grasp,” Hussey said. “Our graduates speak loudly to them and say, ‘Yes, you can do it!’ Have courage. You can succeed at the highest educational level in the sciences.”

For more information about chemistry and biochemistry education at UM, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/chemistry_biochemistry/.