Autumn 2002 Wheaton

Autumn 2002 Wheaton The Natural Sciences at Wheaton d ear friends— The Apostle Paul urged Christians to look “not to the things which are seen but to the things that are unseen” (2 Cor. 4:18). Since science by definition deals with the world of the “seen,” and scientists, when speaking as scientists, wisely rule out addressing what Paul means by the “unseen,” is the Apostle here warning Christians away from scientific investigation? Surely not. Jesus demonstrated God’s love for the seen by becoming part of it.The Bible graphically stresses His oneness with the world of our physical senses.“We have looked upon [him] and touched [him] with our hands,” says John (1 John 1:1). God made the seen and He is not through with it. He has set humans as stewards over it and we honor Him by giving it our full atten- tion. Yet Christians will always practice science in the end to learn also of the unseen. Paganism is marked by its focus merely on the created order: the stars, the earth, a rock, a tree. But biblical religion has always insisted on more. When viewed through the lens of Scripture,“the heavens tell of the glory of God, and their expanse declares the work of his hands” (Ps. 19:1).The Christian will often possess a passion for science—“Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them,” says the Psalmist (111:2)—but if our passion is to rise above a pagan fascination with the world of the seen, it will always manifest itself, in the end, in a “Who then is this?” wonder at the One who created and sustains it. As you will see in this issue of Wheaton, this is the way we aspire to teach science at Wheaton College,“one generation commending to the next the mighty works of God” (Ps. 145:4). Duane Litfin President volume 5 number 5 Ta ble of Contents Editor Georgia I. Douglass ’70, M.A. ’94 Managing Editor p. 2 Sciences at Wheaton Michael Murray Designer p. 10 9/11 Remembered Michael Johnson Editorial Consultant p. 42 Portable Art Katherine Halberstadt Anderson ’90 Editorial Assistant Jackie Noden Inouye ’00 Class News Editor Donna Antoniuk Editorial Advisers Marilee A. Melvin ’72 R. Mark Dillon Alumni Association President Features Charles V. Hogren ’58 2 The Natural Sciences at Wheaton College: President-elect Robert D. Dye ’73 Journeys Toward Discovery Executive Director Students use the latest technology and on-site learning to Marilee A. Melvin ’72 participate in original research, pursue careers in science, Professor Emeritus LeRoy H. Pfund ’49 and develop a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. Alumni Trustee Representatives 10 September 11, 2001, Remembered Robert D. Dye ’73 Charles V. Hogren ’58 President Litfin speaks at outdoor chapel service commemorating 9/11. A.Thomas Paulsen ’70 Board of Directors Departments Class of 2003 Randal Ellison ’77 12 Profiles Marilyn L. Himmel ’55 Dwight E. Nelson ’72 David Treadwell ’65 is executive director of Central Union Leilani Perez ’01 Mission in Washington, D.C., which provides homeless shelters, Shane A. Scott ’96 Brian J.Wildman ’85 recovery programs, distribution centers, and spiritual guidance. Class of 2004 Susan Fitzwilliam Alford ’77 William R. Alford ’78 14 Under the Tower Ruth E. Bamford ’50 Fifteen join Wheaton’s faculty, four say goodbye, and six are C. Kevin Bell ’81 Carol McEwing Harding ’68 honored for their achievements; Homeschoolers find Wheaton Barbara Anderson Kay ’83, M.A. ’93 Estella Moore Tolbert ’82 a good fit;Alumni Association trip to Greece is a spectacular Class of 2005 and spiritual experience. Daniel R. Branda ’61 Frederick W. Claybrook ’73 On My Mind: Lon Allison talks with Billy Graham about a giant Laurelyn Domeck Claybrook ’73 of the faith. Carlene Ellis Ellerman ’77 Jennifer M. Fichera ’02 Scholarly Pursuits: Art Professor John Walford describes the Matthew C. Hsieh ’93 Judith Hamer Whitecotton ’64 motivation behind and the production of his new textbook. Wheaton College President 22 Sports Dr. Duane Litfin Provost Dr. Stanton L. Jones 24 A Word With Alumni / Alumni News Senior Vice President Dr. David E. Johnston ’65 42 The Journal of Jonathan Blanchard Vice President for Advancement Diverse notes on activities at Wheaton Dr. R. Mark Dillon Vice President for Alumni Relations 47 Letters Marilee A. Melvin ’72 Vice President for Student Development 48 At Last Dr. Samuel Shellhamer Wheaton is published winter, spring, special (catalog), summer, and autumn by Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187-5593, 630-752-5047, and COVER PHOTO:BRIAN MACDONALD.Dr. Greta Bryson, assistant professor of chemistry, works with Aaron mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of Kamer ’02 using a rotary evaporator in the lab. Read more about advanced technology and collaborative Wheaton College. Periodicals postage paid at Wheaton, IL (USPS016326). research in the natural science departments in “Journeys Toward Discovery,” pages 2-9. Postmaster: Please send address changes to Wheaton College,Wheaton,IL 60187-5593. Opinions expressed are those of the contrib- The purpose of the Wheaton College Alumni Association is to unite all alumni of Wheaton College into a compact utors or the editors and do not necessarily organization for effective communication with each other and with the College, to arrange alumni reunions, to encourage represent the official position of the College. the formation of Wheaton Clubs throughout the world, to foster and perpetuate enthusiasm for the College and fellow © 2002 Wheaton College,Wheaton, IL alumni, and to promote alumni giving. www.wheaton.edu The Natural Sciences at Wheaton College Journeys Toward While pursuing study in the natural sciences, students delve into areas of inquiry, problem-solving, and Christian thought. by Dr. Dorothy F.Chappell Dean of Natural and Social Sciences Dr. Lynn Baatz ’82 came to Wheaton with faith when confronted by my a plan.“I was going to be a physician. I had own doubts, or the barbs of a course of study all mapped out.” Her plan unbelieving students, professors, succeeded. She now practices medicine as an and colleagues. oncologist hematologist at The Cancer Care “I realize now that it was Mem. Family Holy Hosp. Dr. Lynn Baatz Center in Manitowoc,Wisconsin—and she my time at Wheaton that set the left Wheaton with more than just the necessary mortar between the foundation stones of my scientific fundamentals. character, strengthening me for the tests that “Fortunately, the Wheaton faculty under- would come.” stand the paramount importance of integrating Similarly, Dr. David Gieser ’71, Board our Christian faith into the very fabric of our of Trustees member, glaucoma researcher, and lives . that we must be people of Christ-like ophthalmologist at the Wheaton Eye Clinic, character in order to be fit instruments in the recognizes the critical nature of the training hand of God.” he received, not just for medical school, but Courses such as the biology senior seminar for “a lifetime of thinking and learning.” challenged her to grapple with issues surround- “During my college years,” he continues, ing science and the Christian faith, enabling “we could not have begun to anticipate her, years later, she says,“to stand firm in my the bio-ethical landscape of our day: the 2 Wheaton Toward Discovery sacrifice of a healthy fetus or a newborn infant As we have entered the new century, for the purpose of stem cell recovery and Wheaton’s mission in the sciences remains research, cloning and patenting of organs and steadfast and alumni continue to have an humans, organ harvesting of death row inmates, impact worldwide.As technology and research and utilitarian dispositions of the helpless techniques develop and change, however, so (euthanasia).” do methods of study.To understand the new He credits Wheaton’s rigorous curriculum trends in our science programming, it is Dr. Dorothy F. and its emphasis on the value of Christian important to first understand Wheaton’s Chappell, dean of scholarship with setting important patterns biblical foundations and the caliber and range natural and social sci- of inquiry and Christian thought.“My profes- of programs offered today. ences, taught biology sors encouraged me to regularly study the work for 25 years. Seventeen of those of godly scholars across the disciplines, and to A Solid Foundation years were at always view all things through the lens of Through a science education at Wheaton, Wheaton, where she Scripture,” he says, adding that,“By God’s grace, students discover characteristics of the created served as chair of the the Wheaton graduate will utilize the skills world, theories about creation, and the department of biology learned while a student and developed over relationship of the Creator to His handiwork for 15 years.After serving as academic the years to thoughtfully consider contemporary in nature. Faculty at Wheaton recognize dean at Gordon challenges, engage society, and respond humbly, that, when conducted well, science is honoring College and on carefully, and creatively with a Christian argu- to God, and the valid findings of the sciences Wheaton’s Board of ment and apologetic.” are consonant with the inspired and authorita- Trustees, she returned to Wheaton as dean. Graduates in science are contributing tive revelation of Scripture.The science faculty She has received the in service leadership roles in the developed affirm students in their “calling” to become Wheaton College and developing world. Some have earned scientists who study creation, which bears Junior Teacher of the recognition for integrating faith and learning. the marks of the Creator, Jesus Christ.These Year Award (1981- 82), an Outstanding Don Munro ’59, executive director of the same professors also are committed to training Educator of the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA), leads students who will become respected members Chicago Region the organization in bringing rich conversations of the larger scientific community, where Award (1994), and of science and religion together.

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