Celebrating 50 Years of Science at Gordon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT
Natalie Ferjulian
Office of College Communications
978.867.4249
[email protected]

WENHAM—This fall Gordon’s newest students have already made history as part of the largest first-year class ever. But 57 have also made a historic choice by majoring in biology, making them the largest cohort since the program’s first five graduates in 1963.

They join the many alumni who have studied science at Gordon for the past 50 years, merging Christian faith with scientific scholarship in a division that includes six majors and 19 concentrations. Majors include: biology, chemistry, kinesiology, mathematics, computer science and physics. 

“We are especially looking forward to Homecoming this year, when we can celebrate 50 years of science at Gordon with alumni who have gone on to do important work throughout the world,” says Dale Pleticha, who has been a professor of physics at Gordon for 27 years. “It will be encouraging to hear their stories and fun to welcome them to our state-of-the-art Ken Olsen Science Center.”

Celebrations will kick off on September 29 with a special presentation from Ruth Bancewics, research associate at the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, at 3:30 p.m. in room 104 of the Ken Olsen Science Center. Bancewics will discuss the topic of her book Test of Faith: Spiritual Journeys with Scientists, which addresses questions such as Does science threaten belief in God?

On October 7 Homecoming Weekend will commence with chapel at 10:20 a.m. in A. J. Gordon Memorial Chapel, where science alumni awardees will speak about their work and lives.

Friends and members of the Gordon community are invited to reconvene on October 7 at 7 p.m. in the Chairman’s Room of the KOSC for hors d’oeuvres followed by awards to Alumna of the Year—Carrie Dahl Tibbles ’93; Young Alumnus of the Year—Owen Webb ’03; Jack Good Community Service Award—Jason Revilla ’01 and James Grumbine ’01; Winifred Currie Award in Education—Harry Hesketh Jr. ’63; A. J. Gordon Missionary Service Award—Robert ’97 and Heidi (Walker) ’97 Winslow; Lifetime Achievement—retired professor Theodore (Ted) Wood.

The following day, October 8, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Lane Student Center, alumni and students are invited to Through the Grapevine, a time of networking for the Gordon community. At 1:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Ken Olsen Science Center, science alumni are invited to enjoy light refreshments at the Science Division reception. 

Also on October 8, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in MacDonald Auditorium of the KOSC, President D. Michael Lindsay will moderate a discussion panel with three alumni: Carrie Tibbles ’93, Ted Malloch ’74 and Fran Brown ’85.

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Gordon College is a multidenominational Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston’s North Shore, offering majors in 38 fields with graduate programs in education and music education. Gordon is nationally recognized for excellence in academics and in character building, and ranks as one of the nation’s top Christian colleges. www.gordon.edu

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