2018 FALL LC MAGAZINE

Current trends in both biology and chemistry are moving toward a greater emphasis and understanding of areas that study and interact with both disciplines. According to Chriss McDonald, Ph.D., Frank and Helen Lowry Professor of chemistry at Lycoming College, the intersection between biology and chemistry is currently one of the most dynamic areas in pure science. McDonald noted that seven of the last 12 Nobel Prizes in chemistry were awarded in the subfield of biochemistry. In addition, he believes that biochemistry is one of the key programs that will attract high-performing prospective students with research, medical, dentistry, and pharmacy degree aspirations. Students pursuing degrees in pharmacy and pharmaceutical research, especially, could benefit from the new major. “The pharmaceutical industry is trending toward biomolecules as medicinal agents,” explained McDonald. “There are at least ten biologic medicines on the market with sales of greater than $1 billion. This biochemistry major will provide Lycoming graduates with the background to participate in that part of pharma.” Funding for the new major was established by Peter ’69 ’15H and Joyce Lynn through the Peter ’69 & Joyce Lynn Endowed Program in Biochemistry. No strangers to philanthropy at Lycoming, the Lynns have witnessed the power of impactful gifts realized in brick and mortar through the Lynn Science Center — the multi-curricular facility named after the couple for their leadership gift to the building. The Lynns’ continued generosity will further enable the College to support and encourage students with a passion for the sciences to pursue their goals of academic and professional success. “What we find most important are the new educational possibilities that the program will offer students,” said the Lynns. “We are excited for the new biochemistry major to become part of the fabric of what is a transformative educational experience for future generations at Lycoming.” The addition of the biochemistry major places Lycoming in the company of the best national liberal arts and sciences colleges, which offer the program to students who are largely interested in medical and pharmaceutical fields. The major is expected to attract new science students to the College, while offering opportunities for a more competitive edge in the job market. “The biochemistry program is an example of Lycoming’s commitment to the type of curricular innovation that lends itself to a 21 st -century liberal arts and sciences education,” said President Kent C. Trachte, Ph.D. “We are grateful to the Lynns for their continued support of Lycoming, and the reminder of the extraordinary generosity that enables the College to expand its programs and innovate across the curriculum. We are profoundly grateful to Peter and Joyce for advancing this critical enhancement to the sciences at Lycoming College.” py ENCE THE s part of an ongoing commitment to enhance its curriculum in the sciences, Lycoming College has added a new major in biochemistry to its program offerings. The major will provide students with the concepts, technical knowledge, laboratory skills, and research experiences necessary to engage this field in its many facets. McDonald and Cassandra Bendyk ’18 13 www.lycoming.edu