CONWAY, Ark. (August 2, 2016) – Five Hendrix College science students explored atmospheric chemistry, as well as graduate school and professional research opportunities, through an intensive two-week summer program in the Colorado Front Range titled the EPROACH (Experiences in
Professional Research Organizations and Atmospheric Chemistry at Hendrix).
Student EPROACH participants included:
- Kevin Bombinski ’18
- Megan Cassingham ’19
- John Gann ’17
- Sarah Glass ’19
- Grahm Valadie ’17
The EPROACH students were led and mentored by Hendrix chemistry professor and alumna Dr. Courtney D. Hatch ’00.
Funding for the EPROACH program was supported by the Morris and Ann Henry Odyssey Professorship, which is held by Dr. Hatch.
“I created the EPROACH program in response to my own ignorance of chemical research careers as an undergraduate at Hendrix. It is true that you don’t know what you don’t know. The intended outcome of this program was to enhance awareness of opportunities, skills, and pathways toward careers in the chemical
and geochemical sciences,” said Dr. Hatch. “My hope is that the students who have participated in EPROACH are now more aware of the vast array of opportunities for careers and will give themselves time to reflect on the experience to help them gain a greater understanding of their future role in
the chemical sciences.”
The EPROACH program included informal meetings with a variety of research scientists at all stages of their careers, personal tours of academic, professional and government laboratories, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the
National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and the National Water Quality Lab (NWQL), and high-altitude atmospheric measurements at Storm Peak Laboratory atop Mt. Werner in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
“The EPROACH trip has just begun to open my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities that are currently available to me, available after I graduate, and far beyond that,” said Cassingham. “The greatest strength of EPROACH in my opinion was being able
to immerse ourselves in research while we visited Storm Peak Lab. That was truly the most unique and engaging experience.” Glass agreed.
“I learned so much on this trip,” she said. “After visiting the labs, there were a couple of places that I could see myself working at and many more areas that I would like to research. I am still on the hunt for whether research is the best career for
me, but I am definitely closer to a decision and more informed about my choices.”
About Hendrix College
Hendrix College is a private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas. Founded in 1876 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884, Hendrix is featured in Colleges That
Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think about Colleges and is nationally recognized in numerous college guides, lists, and rankings for academic quality, community, innovation, and value. For more information, visit
www.hendrix.edu.