Arts and Sciences
Biology Department Testimonials
Students
Karisa Kaye, Biology B.S.
“LeTourneau University's biology program is way ahead of its competition. My understanding from friends who've completed this program and have headed into professional schools, is that LETU students are beyond well prepared for their field of study. LeTourneau alumni apparently end up as big-time leaders in their first few years of professional school because of their preparatory work here at LETU.”
“For me, the biology program at LeTourneau has demanded nothing short of excellence in every area of my work and has been a stretching experience for me as a student. I believe the end result will benefit me in more ways than I might recognize.”
Carolyn Dotti, Biology B.S., pre-vet
Q. What are some special memories of your time here at LeTourneau University?
A. I have really enjoyed how I have been able to get to know the students and the professors in the biology program. We “bio majors” get to know each other well through the various classes, study sessions, labs and in-between time. We really have a tight-knit group. Also, the biology professors are very friendly and make the time to help us students out whether discussing a test outside of class time or talking about life over a cup of Dr. Jarstfer’s coffee.
Q. What advice do you have for students interested in our Biology/Pre-Med program?
A. Go for it! The classes are challenging, but they prepare you for a career in biology after graduation. Make sure you are willing to spend the time it will take to do well. But, also, realize the rewards for doing well.
Q. How do you feel LeTourneau University is preparing you (for your medical career)?
A. As a pre-veterinary student, I feel well prepared. I had to take a few extra classes outside the school for prerequisites, but I have also gained experience that I would not have at other schools (such as cat dissections in Integrate Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology class).
A. I have really enjoyed how I have been able to get to know the students and the professors in the biology program. We “bio majors” get to know each other well through the various classes, study sessions, labs and in-between time. We really have a tight-knit group. Also, the biology professors are very friendly and make the time to help us students out whether discussing a test outside of class time or talking about life over a cup of Dr. Jarstfer’s coffee.
Q. What advice do you have for students interested in our Biology/Pre-Med program?
A. Go for it! The classes are challenging, but they prepare you for a career in biology after graduation. Make sure you are willing to spend the time it will take to do well. But, also, realize the rewards for doing well.
Q. How do you feel LeTourneau University is preparing you (for your medical career)?
A. As a pre-veterinary student, I feel well prepared. I had to take a few extra classes outside the school for prerequisites, but I have also gained experience that I would not have at other schools (such as cat dissections in Integrate Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology class).
Lydia Fisher, Biology B.S.
Lydia just completed six weeks of work (internship) at the El Paso Zoo.
She worked from 8 am to 5 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 2 to 5 on Sunday afternoon.
“Beginning June 7th I embarked on several different projects. The main project I was invited to assist with was the compiling of animal data sheets. These sheets included information on the following: status, distribution, habitat, diet, length, weight, reproduction, longevity, a general description, behavior, a fun fact "Did you know?" and whether or not you could find the animal in any particular protected areas other than the zoo and their natural habitat.
“In addition to obtaining this information from reliable internet sites or printed literature, I was responsible for following a strict format and bringing all existing data sheets up to this standard.
“When I first arrived, the education curator (my boss), also had me glance through the existing data on the Web site and look for any information that was missing. Conveniently enough, this information was in the same format expected of the data sheets so this task made my later work a little easier, although there were many animals not currently on the Web site.
“The idea behind these data sheets is to have a printable, black and white handout that can be given out to the general public or anyone who has a question about an animal we have at the zoo.
“Interestingly, my knowledge of handling poultry landed me the challenging task of taming a common white-eyed duck. This duck was, and in most ways still is, a wild duck for all intents and purposes. The volunteers and staff, however, wanted me to handle this animal for a bit every day, so that they could eventually take it into the schools for their education programs.
“After handling this duck four days a week for 45 minutes at a time, I am pleased to say that I made some progress, (it stopped biting me and launching itself out of my hands when I said "no" instead of waiting for me to hold it down). However, there is still much progress that remains to be made, but in the meantime, I think I learned quite a bit about animal behavior and persistence.
“Another task assigned to me was to write a walking tour of the zoo with the list of animals in each exhibit embedded in the tour. This was rather enjoyable, and as I had already updated their current list of animals for them, the assignment was a good fit. If you ever want to know what animals the zoo has, believe me, I can tell you!
“I was also asked to look up some conservation information on some of their animals. I even learned about how to set up a marketable education center about our sea lions and elephants. (i.e. How to get people to see that they are supposed to come in, make the atmosphere comfortable, present an overview of the information the center has to offer, and ultimately get them to sit, watch a 15 minute video and answer some questions for a certificate.)
“As far as experiencing the zoo, I was given several unique opportunities. I attended the Wednesday education staff meetings, as well as a few zookeeper meetings.
“Furthermore, I was allowed to shadow a zookeeper behind the scenes of the tiger, leopard and sun bear exhibits. Not only did this mean I got to see the animals up close (tigers are rather large, I'd say), I also watched the staff perform all the necessary cleaning and feeding required that morning.
“I learned about their animal enrichment schedules; I observed the precise order of tasks the zookeeper had to perform, and I asked about their level of education/experience.
“Another day, I observed the keepers giving an elephant a bath. Their animal hospital on zoo grounds was also fascinating as was the food prep area or the "commissary". I was allowed to assist the animal hospital zookeeper with feeding on my last weekend at the zoo.
“Speaking of weekends, I was also responsible for helping the education employees keep track of under-eighteen volunteers (learned a little something about just how difficult keeping track of, much less motivating, a group of young people can be).
“All in all, I learned an enormous amount about animals, people, and the zoo, finishing roughly 125 data sheets, and amassing about 200 hours, and I have to say I enjoyed every minute of it.”
She worked from 8 am to 5 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 2 to 5 on Sunday afternoon.
“Beginning June 7th I embarked on several different projects. The main project I was invited to assist with was the compiling of animal data sheets. These sheets included information on the following: status, distribution, habitat, diet, length, weight, reproduction, longevity, a general description, behavior, a fun fact "Did you know?" and whether or not you could find the animal in any particular protected areas other than the zoo and their natural habitat.
“In addition to obtaining this information from reliable internet sites or printed literature, I was responsible for following a strict format and bringing all existing data sheets up to this standard.
“When I first arrived, the education curator (my boss), also had me glance through the existing data on the Web site and look for any information that was missing. Conveniently enough, this information was in the same format expected of the data sheets so this task made my later work a little easier, although there were many animals not currently on the Web site.
“The idea behind these data sheets is to have a printable, black and white handout that can be given out to the general public or anyone who has a question about an animal we have at the zoo.
“Interestingly, my knowledge of handling poultry landed me the challenging task of taming a common white-eyed duck. This duck was, and in most ways still is, a wild duck for all intents and purposes. The volunteers and staff, however, wanted me to handle this animal for a bit every day, so that they could eventually take it into the schools for their education programs.
“After handling this duck four days a week for 45 minutes at a time, I am pleased to say that I made some progress, (it stopped biting me and launching itself out of my hands when I said "no" instead of waiting for me to hold it down). However, there is still much progress that remains to be made, but in the meantime, I think I learned quite a bit about animal behavior and persistence.
“Another task assigned to me was to write a walking tour of the zoo with the list of animals in each exhibit embedded in the tour. This was rather enjoyable, and as I had already updated their current list of animals for them, the assignment was a good fit. If you ever want to know what animals the zoo has, believe me, I can tell you!
“I was also asked to look up some conservation information on some of their animals. I even learned about how to set up a marketable education center about our sea lions and elephants. (i.e. How to get people to see that they are supposed to come in, make the atmosphere comfortable, present an overview of the information the center has to offer, and ultimately get them to sit, watch a 15 minute video and answer some questions for a certificate.)
“As far as experiencing the zoo, I was given several unique opportunities. I attended the Wednesday education staff meetings, as well as a few zookeeper meetings.
“Furthermore, I was allowed to shadow a zookeeper behind the scenes of the tiger, leopard and sun bear exhibits. Not only did this mean I got to see the animals up close (tigers are rather large, I'd say), I also watched the staff perform all the necessary cleaning and feeding required that morning.
“I learned about their animal enrichment schedules; I observed the precise order of tasks the zookeeper had to perform, and I asked about their level of education/experience.
“Another day, I observed the keepers giving an elephant a bath. Their animal hospital on zoo grounds was also fascinating as was the food prep area or the "commissary". I was allowed to assist the animal hospital zookeeper with feeding on my last weekend at the zoo.
“Speaking of weekends, I was also responsible for helping the education employees keep track of under-eighteen volunteers (learned a little something about just how difficult keeping track of, much less motivating, a group of young people can be).
“All in all, I learned an enormous amount about animals, people, and the zoo, finishing roughly 125 data sheets, and amassing about 200 hours, and I have to say I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Eric Wait, Biology B.S.
“We just returned from a trip to the Body Worlds exhibit at the Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas. I thought it was pretty amazing. I don't know how person can go into a place like that, see all the parts and intricacies of the human body, and think that we descended from a single celled organism.
“If I were an evolutionist, just one look at the blood vessel network on the human face would have turned me towards creation. The trip was something that everyone in this field should experience.”
Kendall Smith, Biology B.S.
“This system is brand new. We (the university) just got it last semester. We spent last semester learning how to use it. We did a clench test to see how your muscles can fatigue over time, and then it graphs it on the computer. We also did electrical stimulus test for muscles, which is pretty cool—we got to electrocute ourselves!
“If we are in the medical field, we are going to have to do EEGs and know a lot about the muscles. In class, we all get to do it. We have state-of-the-art equipment, and we get to use it because we have small classes! At bigger schools, you couldn’t do this with 50 kids in a lab class because it costs a lot. I think this is pretty unique to LETU.
“It’s great to have the kind of relationship (with professors) where we can ask questions whenever we want to. . . We are planning a micro party on Friday night in the little theatre. We are going to watch the life of Louis Pasteur and bring food!”
Alumni
Shannon Toews, Biology, B.S. ‘ 06
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Q. What degree are you seeking?
A. My M.D.
Q. Are you working in addition to school, if so, where and what are you doing, and what's your title?
A. Not working
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for medical school?
A. I have felt very prepared during my first semester here. LeTourneau gave me a great base of knowledge.
LETU biology classes tested us in a very similar format that we have in medical school. We have very detailed and tricky multiple choice tests.
In the anatomy lab, we have a practical test where the professor will pin or put string around a certain structure on our cadavers and we have to name it. We rotate stations at a buzzer. I felt I had a head start because my biology lab tests were exactly like that at LETU (except we were looking at sharks and cats instead of humans).
One time at LETU, we even dissected a fresh bird who'd had an unfortunate meeting with a power line... our professor had a license to pick it up when she discovered it during a morning run, so we were able to look at a very fresh specimen!
Also, at LETU, the clinical observation course was a great way to get experience observing in a hospital/clinic setting as well as to give us opportunities to have conversations with various doctors.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. This is not a very fair question because they all had a huge impact in different ways. Dr. Jarstfer, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, taught my very first and last biology classes. He was also my academic advisor. I never left his office without him praying for me and my future.
Dr. Elliott's devotions before class always came straight from her heart. She found a balance between gaining great respect and genuine friendship with her students. Her teaching style left us laughing a lot, and I won't soon forget the time we made frozen yogurt at her house for our microbiology class.
Mrs. Rispin took on the responsibility of teaching a class on comparative anatomy in a school that unashamedly believes in God as Creator. She always had such an enthusiasm for the awesomeness of God's creation—His "variations on a theme" which are so often downplayed to simple accidents of nature. I cannot count the number of times in medical school that I have heard the phrases "so well engineered" or "complex design of this organ."
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school?
A. I have no regrets.
Q. Why or why not?
A. I had only been in the public school system before LETU, but I wanted to study biology at a Christian university in order to learn different perspectives on the biological world than I would have gotten at a state school. I really enjoyed the intellectual debates on the history of the earth, evolution, etc. that the science department hosted several times.
In addition, I had the privilege of playing collegiate sports. I also had numerous leadership opportunities, one-on-one time with professors and the incredible opportunity to work on the LEGS project.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. I miss the unique atmosphere, and I left some of my best friends when I graduated. I miss random fights with roommates with marshmallow guns, sliding down the berm in the rain, playing soccer with my team, water balloons through my window at 2 am... the little things.
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. Right now, learning how our bodies are designed gives me a greater perspective on God's creative power. Later, when we are working in the hospitals and clinics, we will be sharing God's compassion and love through our actions.
During times of sickness and uncertainty, many people feel the most vulnerable and are receptive to the Gospel. I am a part of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) which organizes many opportunities to go to the underserved, and share that Jesus is the Great Physician.
Q. What exciting things are you working on/studying right now?
A. We are studying the renal system, which happens to be my favorite. The kidney filters 180L/day then reabsorbs most of it so that you only excrete about 1.5L of that—you have to believe there is a master designer.
But, my favorite dissections on our cadaver have probably been the heart and lungs, simply because they are hard to miss, and the lungs feel so cool... like a combination of a sponge and bubble wrap with super tiny bubbles. Hard to believe that it has the surface area of a tennis court!
Q. What degree are you seeking?
A. My M.D.
Q. Are you working in addition to school, if so, where and what are you doing, and what's your title?
A. Not working
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for medical school?
A. I have felt very prepared during my first semester here. LeTourneau gave me a great base of knowledge.
LETU biology classes tested us in a very similar format that we have in medical school. We have very detailed and tricky multiple choice tests.
In the anatomy lab, we have a practical test where the professor will pin or put string around a certain structure on our cadavers and we have to name it. We rotate stations at a buzzer. I felt I had a head start because my biology lab tests were exactly like that at LETU (except we were looking at sharks and cats instead of humans).
One time at LETU, we even dissected a fresh bird who'd had an unfortunate meeting with a power line... our professor had a license to pick it up when she discovered it during a morning run, so we were able to look at a very fresh specimen!
Also, at LETU, the clinical observation course was a great way to get experience observing in a hospital/clinic setting as well as to give us opportunities to have conversations with various doctors.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. This is not a very fair question because they all had a huge impact in different ways. Dr. Jarstfer, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, taught my very first and last biology classes. He was also my academic advisor. I never left his office without him praying for me and my future.
Dr. Elliott's devotions before class always came straight from her heart. She found a balance between gaining great respect and genuine friendship with her students. Her teaching style left us laughing a lot, and I won't soon forget the time we made frozen yogurt at her house for our microbiology class.
Mrs. Rispin took on the responsibility of teaching a class on comparative anatomy in a school that unashamedly believes in God as Creator. She always had such an enthusiasm for the awesomeness of God's creation—His "variations on a theme" which are so often downplayed to simple accidents of nature. I cannot count the number of times in medical school that I have heard the phrases "so well engineered" or "complex design of this organ."
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school?
A. I have no regrets.
Q. Why or why not?
A. I had only been in the public school system before LETU, but I wanted to study biology at a Christian university in order to learn different perspectives on the biological world than I would have gotten at a state school. I really enjoyed the intellectual debates on the history of the earth, evolution, etc. that the science department hosted several times.
In addition, I had the privilege of playing collegiate sports. I also had numerous leadership opportunities, one-on-one time with professors and the incredible opportunity to work on the LEGS project.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. I miss the unique atmosphere, and I left some of my best friends when I graduated. I miss random fights with roommates with marshmallow guns, sliding down the berm in the rain, playing soccer with my team, water balloons through my window at 2 am... the little things.
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. Right now, learning how our bodies are designed gives me a greater perspective on God's creative power. Later, when we are working in the hospitals and clinics, we will be sharing God's compassion and love through our actions.
During times of sickness and uncertainty, many people feel the most vulnerable and are receptive to the Gospel. I am a part of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) which organizes many opportunities to go to the underserved, and share that Jesus is the Great Physician.
Q. What exciting things are you working on/studying right now?
A. We are studying the renal system, which happens to be my favorite. The kidney filters 180L/day then reabsorbs most of it so that you only excrete about 1.5L of that—you have to believe there is a master designer.
But, my favorite dissections on our cadaver have probably been the heart and lungs, simply because they are hard to miss, and the lungs feel so cool... like a combination of a sponge and bubble wrap with super tiny bubbles. Hard to believe that it has the surface area of a tennis court!
Sabrina Shandley, Biology, B.S. ‘ 02
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Q. What degree are you seeking?
A. Ph.D.
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. The wonderful lab work and techniques taught have transferred to my graduate research resulting in carefulness and understanding in the lab.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. Dr. Jarstfer gave me the opportunity to be a lab assistant for three years that has developed into a real appreciation for research and bench work. Not only that, but I also came to realized my passion for teaching students.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school?
A. No
Q. Why or why not?
A. I truly believe I would not have had the opportunities to develop my passion and drive for teaching science had I gone to a larger school. Not only that, but it is very difficult to be a scientist and be a Christian. At LeTourneau the two coexist.
Q. What was your favorite undergrad class at LETU? Why?
A. It would be easier for me to pick the ones I didn't like! There is something to be said about most of the classes I took, whether it was the personality of the professor, the friends I made or my enjoyment of the actual coursework.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. Being able to see my best friends everyday.
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. I see God everyday—that is the beauty of science!
Q. What exciting things are you working on right now?
A. I am doing research on the autoimmune disease Myasthenia gravis and working toward graduation and contributing to the MG field!
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease of skeletal muscle. Traditionally, when studying an autoimmune disease, researchers focus on the immune system, how it has gone wrong and the pathology it causes. In the lab I am working in, we study how muscle contributes to its own fate during myasthenia gravis.
Not all muscles are affected equally and we have found some muscle to be highly active in recruiting autoimmune T cells, aiding in pathology. Other muscles are able to induce programmed cell death in the autoimmune T cells thereby ameliorating disease. This interaction between muscle and autoimmune cells is the focus of our lab's work.
It is very difficult to be a scientist and be a Christian, at LeTourneau the two coexist. In my experience, the scientific community views God as a child's imaginary friend. Meaning, science sees believers as children, less knowledgeable, naive, even gullible, and God is their imaginary friend. He doesn't exist, they all know it. Some humor the children ("Yes, what a nice God you have") and some simply roll their eyes at the child who doesn't know any better. This is the best analogy I can think of.
This attitude, of course, is not necessary to be a good scientist. Every Christian, who is a scientist, must reconcile this to his or her own satisfaction. Without a doubt, a believer sees science differently than a non-believer. Where I see beautiful, elegant design, they would see a puzzle or a sequence of evolutionary events leading to an end process. The co-existence of science and Christianity is truly special at LeTourneau.
Q. What degree are you seeking?
A. Ph.D.
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. The wonderful lab work and techniques taught have transferred to my graduate research resulting in carefulness and understanding in the lab.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. Dr. Jarstfer gave me the opportunity to be a lab assistant for three years that has developed into a real appreciation for research and bench work. Not only that, but I also came to realized my passion for teaching students.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school?
A. No
Q. Why or why not?
A. I truly believe I would not have had the opportunities to develop my passion and drive for teaching science had I gone to a larger school. Not only that, but it is very difficult to be a scientist and be a Christian. At LeTourneau the two coexist.
Q. What was your favorite undergrad class at LETU? Why?
A. It would be easier for me to pick the ones I didn't like! There is something to be said about most of the classes I took, whether it was the personality of the professor, the friends I made or my enjoyment of the actual coursework.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. Being able to see my best friends everyday.
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. I see God everyday—that is the beauty of science!
Q. What exciting things are you working on right now?
A. I am doing research on the autoimmune disease Myasthenia gravis and working toward graduation and contributing to the MG field!
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease of skeletal muscle. Traditionally, when studying an autoimmune disease, researchers focus on the immune system, how it has gone wrong and the pathology it causes. In the lab I am working in, we study how muscle contributes to its own fate during myasthenia gravis.
Not all muscles are affected equally and we have found some muscle to be highly active in recruiting autoimmune T cells, aiding in pathology. Other muscles are able to induce programmed cell death in the autoimmune T cells thereby ameliorating disease. This interaction between muscle and autoimmune cells is the focus of our lab's work.
It is very difficult to be a scientist and be a Christian, at LeTourneau the two coexist. In my experience, the scientific community views God as a child's imaginary friend. Meaning, science sees believers as children, less knowledgeable, naive, even gullible, and God is their imaginary friend. He doesn't exist, they all know it. Some humor the children ("Yes, what a nice God you have") and some simply roll their eyes at the child who doesn't know any better. This is the best analogy I can think of.
This attitude, of course, is not necessary to be a good scientist. Every Christian, who is a scientist, must reconcile this to his or her own satisfaction. Without a doubt, a believer sees science differently than a non-believer. Where I see beautiful, elegant design, they would see a puzzle or a sequence of evolutionary events leading to an end process. The co-existence of science and Christianity is truly special at LeTourneau.
Rebekah A. Fisher, Biology, B.S. ‘ 00
Q. Are you in graduate study? If so, where, and what degree are you seeking?
A. I have completed graduate studies, having obtained a master's of Medical Science (MMS) in Physician Assistant Studies, qualifying me to become a certified Physician Assistant, which I now am.
Q. Are you working? If so, where, and in what field?
A. I am a physician assistant, employed at a family medicine practice in the greater Chicago area.
Q. What is your title?
A. Certified Physician Assistant.
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. My premedical classes allowed me to get my foot in the door initially as a medical assistant, so that I could gain job experience needed for graduate school. Additionally, I gained all the prerequisites needed from my degree.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. Devotions given by two of my professors, Dr. Amiel Jarstfer and Dr. Mark Jones, were very instrumental in initiating needed personal and spiritual reflection. Also, I was greatly encouraged by Martin Batts to seek to influence pagan culture with the Gospel—instead of running from it. His words on that subject have stuck with me for six years now. I constantly remind myself that being the best you can be in your field, without compromise, is one of the best witnesses to the world.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school? Why or why not?
A. No, I haven't. It's been hard paying off the debt I accrued, but my life would never have been the same without Christian guidance at that time in my life. I also just really had a good time! Where else do you find such a large group of Christian peers?
Q. What was your favorite undergrad class at LETU? Why?
A. Though totally outside my major, Paul Kubricht's Western Civilization class was a hoot. He has an amazing sense of humor and irony. I've never enjoyed another history class.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. My friends being at such close range.
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. I am fortunate enough to currently practice medicine in a Christian clinic. Therefore, it is very easy to share my faith with patients, or to pray with them. Yes, there are many areas of medicine that are complicated for the Christian clinician: abortion, certain forms of birth control, medico-legal issues, and end-of-life, just to name a few.
However, on the up side, I have had the opportunity to share Christ with patients on their deathbeds; talk about feeling sent by God! Finally, the entire world is in need of medical care; the ministry opportunities are endless.
Q. What exciting things are you working on right now?
A. I have recently joined a solo physician whose clinic mission is to provide healthcare to all who come to her door. Those who know anything about the inner workings of the healthcare industry know this is no easy task. We are currently seeking to collaborate with many volunteers to help us organize, serve and raise funds to further this cause.
Maggie Sleigh, Biology, B.S. ‘ 06
Creighton University School of Pharmacy
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. It was wonderful. When I took the Pharmacy College Aptitude Test (PCAT), I had seen everything on the test—I knew I was really prepared. The spiritual education has equipped to be strong in faith and my biblical knowledge has helped in my walk with God.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. The encouragement, even once I was into grad school. The professors are always praying for me and there are so many people at LeTourneau who care about me and want to support me. I could always go sit down with any of my teachers in their office and share with them academic or spiritual conflicts I was experiencing, and I knew they would always help me and support me.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school? Why or why not?
A. I transferred here from another larger school and the difference was obvious. The class sizes are smaller which helped to meet with professors, and I felt free to ask questions at any time. Plus, it has a really good learning environment.
Q. What was your favorite undergrad class at LETU? Why?
A. I loved Genetics with Dr. Jarstfer because it was very interesting, and I learned a lot.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. Definitely the friendships I made because I wouldn’t have been able to have those anywhere else.
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. It was wonderful. When I took the Pharmacy College Aptitude Test (PCAT), I had seen everything on the test—I knew I was really prepared. The spiritual education has equipped to be strong in faith and my biblical knowledge has helped in my walk with God.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. The encouragement, even once I was into grad school. The professors are always praying for me and there are so many people at LeTourneau who care about me and want to support me. I could always go sit down with any of my teachers in their office and share with them academic or spiritual conflicts I was experiencing, and I knew they would always help me and support me.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school? Why or why not?
A. I transferred here from another larger school and the difference was obvious. The class sizes are smaller which helped to meet with professors, and I felt free to ask questions at any time. Plus, it has a really good learning environment.
Q. What was your favorite undergrad class at LETU? Why?
A. I loved Genetics with Dr. Jarstfer because it was very interesting, and I learned a lot.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. Definitely the friendships I made because I wouldn’t have been able to have those anywhere else.
Lindsey Brown Biology, B.S. ‘ 05
University of Iowa
Q. What is your title?
A. Graduate Student
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. LETU provided me an environment in which I was able to grow both spiritually and academically, preparing me for entering the workforce as an adult. I am so thankful that biology classes at LETU are taught from a Biblical worldview that gives God credit for His creation. It is so helpful to have that as grounding when graduate school tries as hard as possible to indoctrinate students to a secular humanistic worldview.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. My LETU biology professors were my mentors, cheerleaders, motivators and, most importantly, my friends. I learned so much about my field, life, and faith from my professors. They became like family to me, especially Dr. Elliott, whom I still correspond with regularly and count as a dear friend.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school? Why or why not?
A. No, never! LETU was one of the best decisions I made. It grounded me in the Truth, which is so important for young adults that are then living and working in a secular environment where lies come at them from all directions.
Q. What was your favorite undergrad class at LETU? Why?
A. Cell Biology. It was a small class, there were only 3 of us students and I loved the atmosphere of one-on-one instruction that it contributed to. I learned so much in that class and had a hoot doing it!
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. The dear friends I made and the Christian fellowship that was always right at my fingertips. It is a lot harder to find people with whom I share life values now outside of LETU.
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. I believe that as a Christian, and a scientist, I have a distinct advantage over my colleagues. The patterns and coincidences I have seen in biological systems, my colleagues must contribute to randomness. I acknowledge the pattern and expect more of the same as God is a God of order, not chance and chaos. Studying His creation is studying how He orders and patterns.
Q. What exciting things are you working on right now?
A. I am starting my first year of graduate school and am in the middle of lab rotations before deciding on a thesis project.
Q. What is your title?
A. Graduate Student
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. LETU provided me an environment in which I was able to grow both spiritually and academically, preparing me for entering the workforce as an adult. I am so thankful that biology classes at LETU are taught from a Biblical worldview that gives God credit for His creation. It is so helpful to have that as grounding when graduate school tries as hard as possible to indoctrinate students to a secular humanistic worldview.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. My LETU biology professors were my mentors, cheerleaders, motivators and, most importantly, my friends. I learned so much about my field, life, and faith from my professors. They became like family to me, especially Dr. Elliott, whom I still correspond with regularly and count as a dear friend.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school? Why or why not?
A. No, never! LETU was one of the best decisions I made. It grounded me in the Truth, which is so important for young adults that are then living and working in a secular environment where lies come at them from all directions.
Q. What was your favorite undergrad class at LETU? Why?
A. Cell Biology. It was a small class, there were only 3 of us students and I loved the atmosphere of one-on-one instruction that it contributed to. I learned so much in that class and had a hoot doing it!
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. The dear friends I made and the Christian fellowship that was always right at my fingertips. It is a lot harder to find people with whom I share life values now outside of LETU.
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. I believe that as a Christian, and a scientist, I have a distinct advantage over my colleagues. The patterns and coincidences I have seen in biological systems, my colleagues must contribute to randomness. I acknowledge the pattern and expect more of the same as God is a God of order, not chance and chaos. Studying His creation is studying how He orders and patterns.
Q. What exciting things are you working on right now?
A. I am starting my first year of graduate school and am in the middle of lab rotations before deciding on a thesis project.
Jeannie Thompson, Biology, B.S. ‘ 04
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Department
Q. Are you working? If so, where, and in what field?
A. Yes, I work as a graduate research assistant on a longitudinal adolescent development research study in the College of Public Health at Oklahoma University (OU). I am also teaching a Statistics course as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City Community College
Q. What is your title?
A. Graduate Research Assistant, Adjunct Professor
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. My experience/education at LETU gave me a solid foundation on which to build. The rigor of the classes at LETU prepared me for graduate level courses. I also feel like I have a well-rounded education and I am not only prepared with knowledge/education, but with life skills.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. LETU professors had a major impact on my life. They showed their care for me as a student and encouraged me to succeed, not only in schoolwork, but in life. They not only spoke to us about living a life for Christ, but they modeled it in their everyday life.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school? Why or why not?
A. No, I do not regret attending LETU for my undergraduate degree—I feel like I have a quality education that I am very blessed to have.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. I miss the people and the sense of community from LeTourneau—there are not many places that have the community aspect. The friends that I made at LETU are life-long friends, and I miss having them all in such a close distance to me. I also miss the uplifting and encouraging environment.
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. My faith is such an important part of my everyday life/school/work. The majority of my classmates/coworkers do not have a personal relationship with Christ, and it is evident in their life. I have been asked about why I act the way I do, and why I believe what I do. Also, in the science field there are so many people who attribute everything to evolution and not to God’s design. However, I can see God’s design and hand in everything.
Q. What exciting things are you working on right now?
A. I am working with the Oklahoma State Department of Health doing data analysis on several non-reportable parasitic diseases in which not much information is known about their occurrence in Oklahoma.
Q. Are you working? If so, where, and in what field?
A. Yes, I work as a graduate research assistant on a longitudinal adolescent development research study in the College of Public Health at Oklahoma University (OU). I am also teaching a Statistics course as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City Community College
Q. What is your title?
A. Graduate Research Assistant, Adjunct Professor
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. My experience/education at LETU gave me a solid foundation on which to build. The rigor of the classes at LETU prepared me for graduate level courses. I also feel like I have a well-rounded education and I am not only prepared with knowledge/education, but with life skills.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. LETU professors had a major impact on my life. They showed their care for me as a student and encouraged me to succeed, not only in schoolwork, but in life. They not only spoke to us about living a life for Christ, but they modeled it in their everyday life.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school? Why or why not?
A. No, I do not regret attending LETU for my undergraduate degree—I feel like I have a quality education that I am very blessed to have.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. I miss the people and the sense of community from LeTourneau—there are not many places that have the community aspect. The friends that I made at LETU are life-long friends, and I miss having them all in such a close distance to me. I also miss the uplifting and encouraging environment.
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. My faith is such an important part of my everyday life/school/work. The majority of my classmates/coworkers do not have a personal relationship with Christ, and it is evident in their life. I have been asked about why I act the way I do, and why I believe what I do. Also, in the science field there are so many people who attribute everything to evolution and not to God’s design. However, I can see God’s design and hand in everything.
Q. What exciting things are you working on right now?
A. I am working with the Oklahoma State Department of Health doing data analysis on several non-reportable parasitic diseases in which not much information is known about their occurrence in Oklahoma.
Christopher Schwan, Biology, B.S. ‘ 02
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Q. Are you working? If so, where, and in what field?
A. I worked this past summer on two medical research projects:
Project 1: Studying lesion expansion in Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and its correlation with different physiological parameters. My goal of study was to improve the treatment of TBI patients and help neurosurgeons in predicting lesion expansion.
Project 2: Detecting Suicidal Ideation/Major Depressive Disorders in ED (Emergency Department/ ER) patients. The goal was to determine the effectiveness the QPD (Quick Patient Diagnostic) in the ER setting. This is an electronic diagnostic evaluation for detecting suicidal ideation and major depressive disorders in patients in the ER setting.
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. LETU helped me prepare for the academic rigors that I now face; however, more importantly, it was the crossroads of many people with similar values and goals who became life-long friends.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. I’ve got to brag on “Dr. J” a little here; I had no idea what I wanted to do when I showed up at LETU. I started in computer science, then business and took a biology course in there somewhere. I loved the Biology course and decided maybe I’d shoot to get into Physical Therapy (PT) school, though, I thought that was doubtful. Dr. J and I had a few advising sessions, where he strongly encouraged me to consider medicine as a future career. When I finally decided to pursue medicine, I was very behind in the prerequisites and admissions process, but Dr. J and I talked through a lot of it, and I really benefited from a lot of his sound advice.
On a different note, I really appreciated the professors that were genuine in their devotionals at the beginning of class. Dr. Forringer, Dr. DeBoer and Dr. J were always very real about struggles and issues of living a sincere Christian life.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school? Why or why not?
A. I have to say, I would have loved to go to one of the schools with a huge sports program, but God knew what he was doing when he put me at LETU. I don’t think I would be in medicine, nor have the incredible friends that I do now, had it not been for my time at LETU.
Q. What was your favorite undergrad class at LETU? Why?
A. I studied overseas in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Nicaragua in the Latin American Studies Program, with the help of Dr. Kubricht. This was by far my favorite academic experience during my time at LETU. This program combined Biology of ecosystems, sustainable agriculture, and Latin American Studies together in a very rich academic experience.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. You mean besides Bodacious, right? No really… It’s the people. I miss everybody in the Biology Department, Doug and Deadre from Student Affairs, Dr. Batts and the great library…
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. Christ said, “Whatever you do for the least of these you have done for me.” As a doctor, you have the opportunity to do a great deal for the “least of these.” I’m pretty stoked about that privilege. Also, in a lot of ways the medical field is about trust. Who wants to go to a doctor they don’t trust, right? When Christians are walking with God, they should exemplify an excellent patient/doctor relationship because the patient is able to have a great deal of trust in their personal integrity.
Q. What exciting things are you working on right now?
A. My colleagues and I are finishing writing papers on the two projects that I spoke about above.
Project 1: Plan to present at the American Neurological Association where we will submit papers to various medical journals.
Project 2: Will submit a paper to various medical journals. We are also helping plan a medical missions trip with the Southwestern Christian Fellowship (a chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association) for spring break.
Coordinating volunteers from UTSW for Dallas Life Foundation, a clinic and ministry to the homeless.
I’m the co-president of the Emergency Medicine Student Association here at UTSW.
Q. Are you working? If so, where, and in what field?
A. I worked this past summer on two medical research projects:
Project 1: Studying lesion expansion in Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and its correlation with different physiological parameters. My goal of study was to improve the treatment of TBI patients and help neurosurgeons in predicting lesion expansion.
Project 2: Detecting Suicidal Ideation/Major Depressive Disorders in ED (Emergency Department/ ER) patients. The goal was to determine the effectiveness the QPD (Quick Patient Diagnostic) in the ER setting. This is an electronic diagnostic evaluation for detecting suicidal ideation and major depressive disorders in patients in the ER setting.
Q. How did your experience at LETU prepare you for grad school or employment?
A. LETU helped me prepare for the academic rigors that I now face; however, more importantly, it was the crossroads of many people with similar values and goals who became life-long friends.
Q. What impact have your LETU professors had on you (who had the most impact) and why?
A. I’ve got to brag on “Dr. J” a little here; I had no idea what I wanted to do when I showed up at LETU. I started in computer science, then business and took a biology course in there somewhere. I loved the Biology course and decided maybe I’d shoot to get into Physical Therapy (PT) school, though, I thought that was doubtful. Dr. J and I had a few advising sessions, where he strongly encouraged me to consider medicine as a future career. When I finally decided to pursue medicine, I was very behind in the prerequisites and admissions process, but Dr. J and I talked through a lot of it, and I really benefited from a lot of his sound advice.
On a different note, I really appreciated the professors that were genuine in their devotionals at the beginning of class. Dr. Forringer, Dr. DeBoer and Dr. J were always very real about struggles and issues of living a sincere Christian life.
Q. Do you ever regret attending LETU for your undergraduate degree instead of a state school? Why or why not?
A. I have to say, I would have loved to go to one of the schools with a huge sports program, but God knew what he was doing when he put me at LETU. I don’t think I would be in medicine, nor have the incredible friends that I do now, had it not been for my time at LETU.
Q. What was your favorite undergrad class at LETU? Why?
A. I studied overseas in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Nicaragua in the Latin American Studies Program, with the help of Dr. Kubricht. This was by far my favorite academic experience during my time at LETU. This program combined Biology of ecosystems, sustainable agriculture, and Latin American Studies together in a very rich academic experience.
Q. What do you miss about LETU?
A. You mean besides Bodacious, right? No really… It’s the people. I miss everybody in the Biology Department, Doug and Deadre from Student Affairs, Dr. Batts and the great library…
Q. How does your Christianity incorporate into your field of study?
A. Christ said, “Whatever you do for the least of these you have done for me.” As a doctor, you have the opportunity to do a great deal for the “least of these.” I’m pretty stoked about that privilege. Also, in a lot of ways the medical field is about trust. Who wants to go to a doctor they don’t trust, right? When Christians are walking with God, they should exemplify an excellent patient/doctor relationship because the patient is able to have a great deal of trust in their personal integrity.
Q. What exciting things are you working on right now?
A. My colleagues and I are finishing writing papers on the two projects that I spoke about above.
Project 1: Plan to present at the American Neurological Association where we will submit papers to various medical journals.
Project 2: Will submit a paper to various medical journals. We are also helping plan a medical missions trip with the Southwestern Christian Fellowship (a chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association) for spring break.
Coordinating volunteers from UTSW for Dallas Life Foundation, a clinic and ministry to the homeless.
I’m the co-president of the Emergency Medicine Student Association here at UTSW.
Kim Dean, former biology, B.S. student
“I had attended UT Tyler before coming to LETU and ended up finishing my biology degree at the University of Iowa. I am still amazed that neither institution, with all their money, could compare to the education I received at LETU. The teaching staff (at LETU) was always superior and more accessible than at the other schools, but now the classrooms and labs are too.
“Not only that, but because the class sizes are smaller at LETU students can actually get some real experience with the technology—that’s hard to do when you're in a class with 200 other people.
“I remember what a shock it was when I start at the U of I because everything was taught from a book and almost nothing was hands on, even though I had labs and was paying huge lab fees.
“I had the opportunity to teach middle school science for a couple years before we started our family, and I can attest from that experience to the fact that students just can't learn subject matter from a book. If there isn't that personal experience with the topic, it just doesn't sink in and is quickly forgotten.
“My husband and I are both forever grateful for the education we received at LETU, and we look forward to sending our kids there one day.”
“Not only that, but because the class sizes are smaller at LETU students can actually get some real experience with the technology—that’s hard to do when you're in a class with 200 other people.
“I remember what a shock it was when I start at the U of I because everything was taught from a book and almost nothing was hands on, even though I had labs and was paying huge lab fees.
“I had the opportunity to teach middle school science for a couple years before we started our family, and I can attest from that experience to the fact that students just can't learn subject matter from a book. If there isn't that personal experience with the topic, it just doesn't sink in and is quickly forgotten.
“My husband and I are both forever grateful for the education we received at LETU, and we look forward to sending our kids there one day.”
