Chemistry & Physics Moves To Head Of Class

Union's completely renovated Department of Chemistry and Physics is nearing completion and is about to thrust the department into an even greater position of respect in the academic and industrial communities.

The department is in the process of becoming ACS (American Chemical Society) certified, an accreditation that is highly respected in the discipline. "Industry and graduate schools take notice of whether applicants attended ACS certified schools," Charles Baldwin, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics, said.

The certification will involve an intense study of the department's facilities, faculty, students and curriculum. Baldwin hopes to have ACS certification by fall 1998.

The renovation is just one element that increases the likelihood of receiving the accreditation. The first phase of renovation is complete and plans are underway to finish phase II during the next school year.

"We're at the head of the class in terms of facilities," Baldwin said. "Students are actually performing better and have a better spirit in the labs because of the well-equipped, spacious environment."

Phase II will be the largest part of the renovation as it involves the most heavily used laboratories and storage areas. This phase will include renovations to the organic chemistry and physical science labs. Existing space will be converted into a nursing chemistry lab. Each lab will have supporting preparation and storage areas.

Baldwin said one of the most significant aspects of this phase is the upgrading of the principle solvent storage area and the creation of an area to handle chemical waste.

Phase I, which began in the summer of 1995, included the completion of the A section that houses two classrooms and 4 laboratories. The classrooms are equipped with the latest in educational technology including televisions, VCRs, laser disc players, Internet access, and computer and slide projection equip-ment. The classrooms also feature retractable hoods for chemical demonstrations.

Union To Host Second Annual Senior Adult Conference

Union is gearing up for its second annual Senior Adult Conference August 4-6. Senior Adults, ages 55 and older, are invited to participate.

The conference theme, based upon Genesis 5:24, is "Walking with God." Conference personalities and sessions have been designed to assist senior adults in enhancing their walk with God while enjoying life.

The conference will feature seven general sessions, an extravaganza banquet, and three opportunities to attend special interest sessions.

Participants will be able to hear conference personalities including John Phillips, Ron Dunn, Esther Burroughs, Bill and Marianne Klassen, Michael Duduit and James Pulliam.

Special interest topics include "Our Continuing Walk with God," "Grand-parenting by Grace," "Money Management," and more. Each participant will have the opportunity to attend three of the special interest sessions.

Registration began March 2. Two options exist for conference registration fees: (1) $20 per person includes the entire conference and extravaganza banquet, and (2) $43 per person includes seven additional meals served in the University's cafeteria.

Excellent arrangements have been made for motel accommodations within one mile of Union's campus. Reservations should be made directly with the motels. Blocks of rooms have been reserved until July 15. All reservations should be made prior to July 15.

For more information, call (901) 661-5160.

Union Contributes To City's Recognition in Forbes

Of 25 cities listed in Forbes magazine as "Cities of the Future," Jackson is the only one recognized for the impact of its educational institutions.

The October 21, 1996 issue of Forbes listed Jackson as one of the cities predicted to have the country's highest job growth through the year 2001.

Union is Jackson's oldest institution of higher learning and has offered a wide variety of excellent educational opportunities to the West Tennessee region for nearly 175 years.

Kyle Spurgeon, vice president for business development at the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, said the recognition by Forbes magazine is valuable publicity for everyone in the city. He explained that the ranking for education results from the dynamic growth of all the colleges and universities.

Jackson has four post-secondary educational institutions and many private and public K-12 schools.

Since Union relocated from its downtown campus to north Jackson, enrollment has increased by 150 percent. Enrollment for fall 1996 totaled 1,975.

"We took the step of faith and have been a key player in giving direction for growth in the city," says Gary Carter, `75, Union's vice president for business services. "Our move to north Jackson was a springboard for growth and development of Jackson and Madison County north of Interstate 40."

As a top-25 employer in the city, Union University has faculty, staff and students who spend their dollars in local restaurants, retail outlets, and entertainment centers, thus boosting the city's economy and opening the doors for further growth.

"Many Union alumni have settled in Jackson and made their home in West Tennessee for decades," Carter continued. "They have contributed immensely to the business and industry of the city."

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Software Grant Opens Doors Of Opportunity

Union's Computer Science Department is moving to the forefront, said G. Jan Wilms, chair and assistant professor of computer science.

The department of computer science recently received a renewable Microsoft Instructional Lab Grant for nearly $60,000 in software, including operating systems (Windows 95 and Windows NT), programming (Visual C++ and Basic) and utilities.

"These are state-of-the-art programs that we could not purchase previously," Wilms said. "And this grant opens up many opportunities for computer science majors and the entire campus."

The software will be used in the new networking lab and for upper-level computer classes, as well as in campus laboratories and faculty offices. Wilms indicated the grant makes it possible to update the curriculum including the addition of courses in specific software applications.

As part of the grant, the University agrees to purchase one copy of each software application and Microsoft, in return, awards the license to duplicate the software for multiple-machine use. This allows the university to use the software in classes and labs.

Information on how the grant is used in programming language classes can be found on the World Wide Web on the University server at uu.edu/union/academ/math/course.htm.