Homecoming 2015 Recap

Professor (and Chair) Eric Bradley and Marc Presler '10

Muri (Jacobs) Dueppen '91, Prof. Eric Bradley, and Patrick Dueppen '90

Emeritus Professor Norm Fashing, Ann Tate '75 and Margery Daughtery '75

Emeritus Professor Norm Fashing and Jim Welch '90 Jim Welch is now Assoc. Professor and Chair of the Biology Department at Wittenberg University. Julia Polentes '16

Stephanie Chambers '05 and Shivani Desai '05 Jim Welch is now Assoc. Professor and Chair of the Biology Department at Wittenberg University. Julia Polentes '16

Bethany Hsia '04 and daughter Addison Jim Welch is now Assoc. Professor and Chair of the Biology Department at Wittenberg University. Julia Polentes '16

Brooke Matson '11 Jim Welch is now Assoc. Professor and Chair of the Biology Department at Wittenberg University. Julia Polentes '16

Greenhouse Manager Patty Jackson and Joey Thompson '14 Joey Thompson was a long-term greenhouse volunteer and is pursuing a MS degree in Coastal Plant Ecology at VCU Julia Polentes '16

Caroline Golino '17 and Susan Hildebrand Ruegger '75 Alumna Susan Hildebrand Ruegger taught current student Caroline high school biology and was incredibly proud of Caroline's contribution to the award-winning iGem team. Julia Polentes '16

A group photo including staff, volunteers, and alumni Alumna Susan Hildebrand Ruegger taught current student Caroline high school biology and was incredibly proud of Caroline's contribution to the award-winning iGem team. Julia Polentes

Hannah Ritsema '15 Alumna Susan Hildebrand Ruegger taught current student Caroline high school biology and was incredibly proud of Caroline's contribution to the award-winning iGem team. Julia Polentes '16

Conor and Tracie Sipes '00 It was wonderful to have the next generation show up at the Biology Homecoming Reception Julia Polentes '16

Professor Paul Heideman and student Andy Halleran Current students presented research results in posters at the Biology Department homecoming open house Julia Polentes '16

Emily Anthony '13 and Emeritus Professor Norm Fashing Current students presented research results in posters at the Biology Department homecoming open house Julia Polentes '16

Hannah Brookes '16 and Prof. Laurie Sanderson Current students presented research results in posters at the Biology Department homecoming open house Julia Polentes '16

Jennifer and Eric Yttri ('05 and '04) Current students presented research results in posters at the Biology Department homecoming open house Julia Polentes '16

Merci Best '17 and Marquis Stokes '12 Current students presented research results in posters at the Biology Department homecoming open house Julia Polentes '16

MK Rieder '15, Veronica Gray '15, and Alvaro Aunon Current students presented research results in posters at the Biology Department homecoming open house Julia Polentes '16

Asst. Prof. Harmony Dalgleish with Ruth Mead '80 and Jim Mead Current students presented research results in posters at the Biology Department homecoming open house Julia Polentes '16

Assoc. Prof. Mark Forsyth and Anthony Bennia '15 Current students presented research results in posters at the Biology Department homecoming open house Julia Polentes '16

Emeritus Professor Norm Fashing Holding scorpion Julia Polentes '16

Assoc. Prof. Oli Kerscher (with his children) and Alyssa Beda '13 This reunion was full of hugs, as Dr. Kerscher's children remember his student Alyssa with much affection! Julia Polentes '16

by Beth Chambers | October 29, 2015

Professor Emeritus Norm Fashing with scorpion

The weather was beautiful, the Tribe won the football game, and the Biology Department was pleased to open its doors to alumni returning this year. The tradition of having alumni give the Department Seminar the week before Homecoming continued. This year two alumni spoke at the seminar: Lou Burnett (WM '73) and Karen Burnett (WM '72). Karen is a Research Associate Professor and Lou is a Professor of Biology at the College of Charleston and spoke to a large group of students, faculty, staff and other alumni on "Ocean Acidification Enhances Performance in Crustaceans: The Physiology and Transcriptomics of Resilience".

On Saturday, the department hosted alumni in several venues, from the second floor SEM room, the length of the Integrated Science Center (ISC) third floor, and Millington. This is the last year some of the Department is in Millington, so next year our Open House can show off the new teaching labs and other spaces in the last wing of the ISC--"ISC 3".

Highlights of the Open House included a poster presentation by the internationally award-winning iGem Team, Emeritus Faculty member Norm Fashing's hands-on insect display, and the last hurrah for the Millington Greenhouse. Check out the photographs above to see if you recognize anyone!