Page 4
Pr. fil -
Dr. Shaun Sommerer:
expert in crystallography
by Bridgette Jesek
Collegian Staff
Dr. Shaun Sommerer, assistant
professor of chemistry, may have
only been here for three years,
but has a few new ideas and
programs he would like to
initiate at Behread.
Born in Los Angeles but raised
in western Minesota, Sommerer
obtained his bachelors degree at
St. John's University and later
moved on to the University of
Flordia for his Ph.D.
As a graduate student he was
involved as a teaching assistant
for his first and second year.
Then he was promoted to
instructor, lecturing on
computers for chemistry majors.
"Actually I was an instructor at
the University of Florida for two
years, similar to the instructors
here at Behrend except I wasn't
involved in teaching labs and
resuscitation groups," Sommerer
explained.
Considering that he was
persuing a teaching career, this
served as a big boost.
Within his Ph.D. research
project he found what was going
to remain interesting and exciting
to him for years to come: the
field of crystallography.
Tthe
GREEKS & CLUBS
SPRING BREAK 94
Panama City Beach,
From $129
FREE PARTIES/FREE BEVERAGES
TAKE THE TRIP THAT PARTIES
Call Jenny at Travel Associates
"We isolate single crystals of
new seven coordinate compounds
and they use x-ray detraction
techniques to determine the three
dimension geometry of the
molecule structure," said
Sommamr.
'his can then be turned, with
the use of computers, into
pictures where you can determine
where the atoms sit relative to
each other in the molecule on the
atomic level."
These computer diagrams are
useful. Sommerer teaches many
undergraduate chemistry courses,
but takes his expertise of
crystallography to his under
graduate research projects in
which crystals are currently being
grown using different metals such
as copper and colbalt.
Away from his work he enjoys
tennis, classical music and tries
to do much reading.
When asked what he looks
most for in a student he said, "I
look for curiosity. I find it
exciting for students to come up
and ask questions like 'Why is an
orange orange?'" This agrees
with Sommerer's own curiosity
and love for nature.
Previously he was given the
Most Demanding Faculty Award,
which he accepted graciously.
EARN $504250
for YOURSELF
WM
lall to SliCe for Your CIO
This fundraiser costs nothing
and lasts one week.
Call now and receive
a free gift.
1.800-932-0528 Ext. 65.
1-800-558-3002
PARTY!
Florida
Areal _ _
FACULTY PROFILE OF THE WEEK: Dr. Shaun Sommerer, as
chemistry, is proud to have received the Most Demanding Faucity Award.
"Some students may look on
the award as a bad thing, but I
have found that students that have
graduated in chemistry and other
fields that have kept in touch
have said that I push them hard
but could have even pushed them
some more," Sommerer said.
anlat i) 9 ).
(4 L • Ili [",
Tone those muscles of the lower body
(especially the thighs, buttocks, and
calves) while inducing relaxation...Tai
Chi demonstration, Friday, February 18,
12 noon, Wintergreen Lobby.
Health and Wellness Center,
Carriage House
898-6217
Open Mon. - Thurs. gam-10pas,
Fri. Sam-9pm
****SPRING BREAK '94****
Cancun, Bahamas, Jamaica,
Florida & Padre!
110% Lowest Price Guarantee!
Organize 15 friends and your trip is
FREE!
TAKE A BREAK STUDENT TRAVEL
(800) 328-7283
When giving advice to students
Sommerer tells them "to push
themselves because the world is
much more competitive than they
think."
His plans for the future of
Behrend's chemistry program
include the idea of combining a
Advertising
Thursday, February 17, 1994
chemistry and business degree.
"What you have to have is a
good business school and good
chemisrty program, which I think
we have both here," Sommerer
believes. "The beauty of it is that
they wouldn't have to add on new
faculty or courses. It just needs
mpackaging."
From $299 Includes:
Air, 7 nights Hotel,
Tranafera,Parties and More!
NASSAU/PARADISE ISLAND
*CANCUN*JAMAICA
*SAN JUAN*
Earn FREE trip plus
commissions
as our campus rep!
1-800-9-BEACH-1
ant professor co