One distinct aspect of a Manchester education is the liberal arts emphasis. Students develop skills in reasoning and thinking that enable them to communicate more effectively and to be problem solvers. These traits pave the way for successful careers in a rapidly changing world.

Manchester's chemistry program has a long and respected tradition of producing a high percentage of graduates who go on for Ph.D. s. A recent survey of liberal arts colleges which produce doctoral graduates indicates that Manchester ranks 25th in the nation among the 900 studied.

Historically, Manchester chemistry graduates who apply to graduate programs are accepted and do well in those programs. Two well known Manchester chemistry graduates are Roy Plunkett, who invented Teflon® for the Dupont company, and Paul Flory, who won the Nobel Prize in chemistry.

The department of chemistry, housed on the third floor of the Science Center, includes computers, software, video and demonstration equipment, and computer controlled Fourier Transform infrared and ultraviolet/visible spectrometers as well as other instruments. Students majoring in Chemistry as well as those students in upper level courses have access to most of the departmental instrumentation.

During January Session, various nontraditional courses are offered. Dr. Terrie Salupo-Bryant, Manchester chemistry professor, takes a team of doctors, dentists and Manchester College students to set up medical clinics in developing countries. This trip was originally led by retired Manchester chemistry professor, Dr. Ed Miller.  The 1995 team went to Nicaragua, but over the past 13 years, teams have served in six Central American countries.

If you have an interest in chemistry, you should visit Manchester College. Talk with faculty, sit in on classes, and see our facilities. To arrange a visit, call us toll-free at 800-852-3648 or send email to admitinfo@manchester.edu

A selection of graduates:
• Julie Heckman '04 is employed at Zimmer in Warsaw, Ind.
• Alex Blevins '00 is enrolled in graduate school at Michigan State University.
• Yvonne Yoder '97 is employed at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis.
• Chriss McDonald '81 is chair of the chemistry department at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania.
• Sarah Kurtz '79 is a research scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory at Boulder, Colo.
• Dr. Dale Oxender '54 is adjunct professor at the University of Michigan where he has been involved world wide as a significant contributor to research in genetic engineering. He also serves as vice president of biotechnology at Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Corporation, Ann Arbor, Mich.