chemistry

From Biostatistics to Harry Potter and Religion: Register now for summer online courses!

Student talking to professor through a chat window on a laptop

Randolph College is once again offering summer online courses for both Randolph and non-Randolph students seeking undergraduate level academic credit in a wide range of subjects. Registration is now available for summer 2019 online courses at http://online.randolphcollege.edu/. This summer’s selection includes 24 courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, education, geography, Greek, math, sport and... READ MORE >>

A Glowing Recommendation: Matthew Williams '20 manipulates phosphoric material for summer research project

Close-up of glowing phosphor

A 17th century alchemist discovered that phosphor could glow, and believed he had found the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. It was nearly 400 years later when scholars discovered its true properties.... READ MORE >>

Turning hydrogen peroxide green

Yuriy Snyder '19 (left) and chemistry professor Jesse Kern test a molecule using computational modeling software

In addition to its antiseptic properties, hydrogen peroxide is used in water treatment, textile and paper bleaching, as detergent, and as an oxidizing agent. But despite its many uses, the production process can be expensive and harmful to the environment. This summer, Randolph chemistry professor Jesse Kern and Yuriy Snyder ’19 are working to find... READ MORE >>

Summer Research tests nutritional value of black rice

Valarie Osei-Akyeampong ’19 works to extract pigment from a sample of rice

One day recently, Ann Fabirkiewicz, the Charles A. Dana Professor of Chemistry, was reading about the rising popularity and health benefits of black rice. She had never seen the product in a grocery store, so when she read that it contained more antioxidants than blueberries, she decided to put it to the test. She recruited... READ MORE >>

Randolph presents 2018 Academic and Leadership Awards

Randolph College Banner

Randolph College presented numerous  students on Wednesday with academic and leadership awards. The annual Academic and Leadership Awards ceremony honors students who excelled in their academic performance as well as demonstrated leadership at the College. Academic Awards Art and Art History Rachel Trexler Ellis ’44 Art Prize for Excellence: Morgan Osburn and Stacey Samuels Best... READ MORE >>

Randolph announces 2018 inductees for national, international honor societies

Spring flowers in front of the Engagement Tower and Moore Hall.

On Tuesday, Randolph students from a variety of academic departments were officially inducted into international, national, and College honor societies. Randolph’s 2018 inductees are:   Psi Chi (Psychology) Tyana M. Martinez Brittany M. Lundy Kaitlyn R. Hevey Abigail M. Pannill   Iota Sigma Pi (Women in Chemistry) Valarie N. Osei-Akyeampong Katie M. Jones   Phi... READ MORE >>

Randolph chemistry professor co-authors paper in Chemical Communications

Jesse Kern

Chemistry professor Jesse Kern co-authored a paper that was published this month in the journal, Chemical Communications. The paper is titled “Catalytic Aziridination with Alcoholic Substrates Via a Chromium Tetracarbene Catalyst” and gives examples of aziridination catalysis with a chromium complex. Kern began his research on the topic as a post-doctoral research associate at the... READ MORE >>

Kern brings computational chemistry experience to Randolph faculty

Jesse Kern

When students think about chemistry, they don’t typically consider the creative aspects of the subject. New chemistry professor Jesse Kern is hoping to show another side of the chemistry to his students. “I want to bring an open-minded, softer, and more flexible approach to studying chemistry,” Kern said. “It’s not necessarily all about the exact... READ MORE >>

A World Apart: Two refugees find friendship, sense of home during college years

This photo of Matea Osti '08 (left) and Marwa Abdel Latif '09 ran in the New York Times in 2006. (Credit: Josh Meltzer/The New York Times/Redux)

Two refugees find friendship, sense of home during college years It was a cold January day in 2005, when a new international student sat down at the same table as Matea Osti ’08 in the College dining hall. Osti had noticed her a few days before, huddled in her winter coat while inside one of... READ MORE >>

Enjoying the ride

Nick Pollard '18

Even though the degree he earns from Randolph will be in chemistry, Nick Pollard ’18 can now add “motorcycle studies” to his academic profile. This summer, Harley-Davidson of Lynchburg created a special internship opportunity for Pollard that has allowed him to work on some of the finest motorcycles he has ever seen. Some of his... READ MORE >>