Untitled Document

C. DAVID FINCH, JR., M.D. DISTINGUISHED BIOLOGY ALUMNUS FOR 2002

Dr. David Finch ('80) received his medical degree from the School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS. Dr. Finch is a Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine and a Diplomate, American Board of Nephrology. Also, Dr. Finch is Medical Director of Renex NNA Dialysis Facilities, Inc., in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Dr. Finch has been involved in the development of new equipment for treatment of chronic renal failure patients. Dr. Finch and his associates, hold patents for the LifeSite® Hemodialysis Access System which offers an alternative to current access techniques in treating chronic renal patients.

Dr. Finch is married to the former Emily Wilson. They are the parents of four children: Beth, Trey, Austin, and Patrick. The Finch family resides in Clinton, MS. Dr. Finch is not the only accomplished member of the Finch family. Daughter Beth, a high school senior, is a National Merit Semi-finalist and the current Mississippi Junior Miss. She plans to attend Mississippi College.

DR. BALDWIN NAMED INTERIM CHAIR
Dr. Stan Baldwin, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, was named Interim Chair of the Department on June 1, 2002. Dr. Baldwin joined the Mississippi College biology faculty in January 1999. In addition to erving as Interim Chair, Dr. Baldwin will continue to serve as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anatomy at The University of Mississippi Medical School. He succeeds Dr. Ted Snazelle who stepped down as Chair after serving six years in that capacity. Dr. Snazelle, who is in his 23^rd year at Mississippi College, will be MC's 2003 Senior London Professor. Along with Dr. Jonathan Randle, Assistant Professor of English, Dr. Snazelle and his wife, Bea, will depart for a semester in London on January 6, 2003.

NEW FACULTY MEMBER
Mr. Terry Dent (BS '81, MCS '97) joined the biology faculty as Instructor and Laboratory Coordinator in August 2002. Mr. Dent comes to Mississippi College from Clinton High School where he taught for the past eight years. He is married to the former Nancy Conner (BM '82). Terry and Nancy are the parents of Sam, a third-grader. The Dents are members of First Baptist Clinton where Terry is active in the music ministry.

Focus on Alumni . . .

DR. RICHARD K. COOPER, II
After graduating from Madison Ridgeland Academy, Madison, MS in 1981, Richard "Richie" Cooper enrolled at Mississippi College. In 1985, he graduated with a major in biology and minors in chemistry and English. Subsequently, he earned his MS degree in Wildlife Ecology and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University in 1988. After graduating from MSU, he enrolled in the University of Georgia where he earned a Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology in 1991. Dr. Cooper joined the faculty as Assistant Professor of Aquaculture at Louisiana State University in October 1991. He holds a joint appointment with the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Science at LSU. In July 2000, Dr. Cooper was promoted to the rank of professor.

Dr. Cooper's research interests center on enhanced disease resistance in acquacultured species and is being studied in two ways: 1) determining virulence factors associated with Edwardsiella ictaluri, the etiological agent of enteric septicemia of channel catfish, in order to determine how the organism causes disease and provide a live attenuated vaccine, and 2) enhancing the immune system of fish and oysters through the incorporation of a lytic peptide to confer resistance to pathogenic organisms. In the past two years, much of Dr. Cooper's research focus has shifted from channel catfish disease treatment to development of gene therapy methods and production of transgenic chickens capable of producing pharmaceutical proteins in the albumin of eggs. This research is being funded by the United States Army to develop vaccines against microbes which might be used by bioterrorists.

Dr. Cooper, his wife Lauren , and children, Kent (11), Collyn (9), and Will (6), live near Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Prairieville. The Coopers are active at the Church of the Highlands where Lauren is the children's director and Richie serves in a church leadership position.

VISITING RESEARCHER
Dr. Ignac Sivec, Slovenian Museum of Natural History, Ljubljana, Slovenia, was a visiting researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Bill Stark this summer. Drs. Stark and Sivec have previously published five articles together. This summer they completed five new manuscripts dealing with systematics of oriental and palearctic stoneflies.

TRI BETA PICNIC
On Saturday afternoon, September 14, 2002, held a picnic at the home of Dr. & Mrs. Clinton Bailey. About 50 biology students and faculty and staff members were in attendance. Dr. Bailey serves as the faculty advisor.

NEWS NOTES
Wendy McLean ('99) and her family (Stuart, Joseph and Charlotte) send Christmas greetings from Florida. Not your typical winter wonderland!

R. Patrick Welsh, DDS announced the association of T. Guion Gee, DMD ('92) to his general dentistry practice. Congratulations Guion!

Christy Greer Turner ('97) and husband Scott have settled in Enterprise, Alabama. Christy spent last summer working with children and says she almost forgot she isn't a child herself.

Andrew Achord ('92) let us know that he graduated from UMC with an MS in immunopathology before going to dental school at UMC. He finished in 2001 and is in private practice in Brandon. He also updated us on his family-two daughters and a son.

Dr. C. Ron Cannon ('72) recently was a guest speaker at the combined Arkansas-Missouri Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Meeting in Branson, Missouri. Dr. Cannon gave two presentations-"Fine Needle Aspiration: Tips and Pearls for the Otolaryngologist - Head & Neck Surgeon," and "Historical Vignettes in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery."

A recent update from Phyllis Anne Heflin Linton ('72), Math Department Chair at Bradshaw High School, Florence, Alabama. In addition to her degree at MC, Phyllis earned a B.S.Ed. In mathematics/secondary education and M.A. from University of N. Alabama. She has assisted students with Westinghouse/Intel research projects for 12 years-has had two semi-finalists in the nation; every year but one has had one to five state winners in the Gorgas competition and state winners in paper reading at the Alabama Junior Academy of Science. Phyllis is the proud mother of David Jonathan-in law school in Washington, DC, Joel Hugh, and Rebecca Anne Linton all graduates of Columbia University in N. Y. City; daughter Rachel Joy Linton is a junior at Princeton University in N.J.

Peggy Rae Dorris ('56) recently retired from Henderson State University where she is currently Professor & Chair Department of Biology (Emeritus). Peggy taught biology for 30 years at Henderson State and was department chair for 19 years.

Alison Bryant Huckaby ('98) married Tim Huckaby on November 21, 1998. Alison worked as a Research Assistant for the Environmental Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center for 3 years until daughter, Hannah Michelle, was born November 3, 2000. Alison's current position is that of a stay-at-home Mom!

MARRIAGES
Amanda Hutcheson ('01) to Brian Schaeffer (also an MC alum), May 2001. Amanda has been busy since her graduation and marriage. She has attended graduate school at The Citadel while finishing her last year of Cross Country eligibility. She and Brian moved to New Orleans where she is currently working as a Research Associate for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, in the Department of Ophthalmology. Her work there has given her a true love for research which she plans to continue after she completes her academic pursuits.

Matt Miles ('01) to Erin Denise O'Flynn July 14, 2001. Matt asked for a correction to last year's Biofocus. He is in medical school at Louisiana State University in New Orleans.

Jill Suzanne Parker ('01) and Robert Andrew Armstrong, Jr. December 15, 2001.

Deborah Ruth McGuire ('99) to Dr. Charlie Ed Brunson, Jr. December 21, 2001.

Fanasy Ann Prokop ('99) to Matthew Dennis Deming June 1, 2002.

Matthew Jacob Hunt ('01) to Jennifer Lucille McKie. (Matt's Mom says he is doing great in med school!)

Elizabeth Grace Boerner to Nicolas Aaron Belk ('02) June 8, 2002.

Melissa Ann Farris to James Elton Nettles, Jr. ('97) June 22, 2002.

Sherry Diane Chance ('99) to Clifton Lynn Pippen August 24, 2002.

Melissa Anne Fortman to Charles Clifton Roy ('01) August 31, 2002.

Allison Trim Tatum ('00) (married May 2001) emailed in October to say she was halfway through her last year of PT school, enjoying it and looking forward to clinicals in the spring.

BIRTHS
Benjamin David Capps born September 18, 2001 to Dr. Nancy Barksdale Capps ('82). Nancy says big sister Eliza loves to remind her that "even though you're a doctor, you're mostly still my mom."

Joshua Andrew Collins born July 23, 2002. Joshua was welcomed by big brother Caleb and proud parents Lynda Brown Collins ('88) and Kerry Collins.

DEATHS

The Department of Biological Sciences was saddened to learn of the death of the following alumni: Dr. John Carlyle Fridge, November 22, 2000; Dennis L. Jordan ('40) September 25, 1999.

Although Dr. Craig Whitlock wasn't a faculty member in the biology department, he was an integral part of the programs we offer our students. We were all shocked and saddened by his sudden death September 11, 2002. Apparently he suffered a massive stroke while preparing for a physics lab. Words can't begin to describe how he will be missed.

HEALTH SCIENCES REPORT
*2002 Acceptances

University of Mississippi Medical School
Amanda Burton ('00) Nova Southwestern University Osteopathic Medical School; April Dawn DeMoss ('02), Corey Jackson ('01), Tiffany Scarff ('02 MCS), Courtney Shires ('01), Eric Lee Street ('02), Daniel Thielemann ('01), William Lowe Waller ('02), Ernest Stephens Weeks ('02), Lee Thomas White (01).

University of Kansas Medical School, Amanda West ('01).

Pikeville College of Osteopathic Medicine, KY, Laura Alexander (MCS)

University of Mississippi Dental School

Leigh Ammon ('01), Nicolas Aaron Belk ('02), Charles Belknap ('01), Sloane Fortinberry ('02), Kyle Tanner Hunt ('02), Benjamin Leon Schrock ('02), Carla Gail Simpson ('02), Kevin Wells ('01).

Physical Therapy School
University of Mississippi Medical Center: Amy Elizabeth Fountain ('02), Melanie Ann Veazey ('02), Katie Watkins ('01); Creighton University, Omaha, NE Kathryn Suzanne Keen ('02)

Optometry School
Memphis: Christopher Terrell Bullin ('02), Elizabeth Green Patten ('02), Megan Sumrall; University of Alabama Optometry School: Shannon Potts ('01).

Science Teacher, Clinton High School, James Wesley Quick.

SENIOR RECOGNITIONS
The following senior biology majors were selected for Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges: Nicolas Belk, Jonathan Bradshaw, Christopher Terrell Bullin, April DeMoss, B. Sloane Fortinberry, Amy Elizabeth Fountain, Kyle Tanner Hunt, Kathryn Keen, Kelly Christopher Lamb, Elizabeth Patten, James Wesley Quick, Carla Gail Simpson, William Lowe Waller III, Ernest Stephens Weeks Jr.

BIOPHILES
Are you a member? The Biophiles is an organization of "Lovers of Living things" for the support of the biological sciences at Mississippi. If you haven't joined, why not take a minute to fill out the form and send it in with your membership fee. You may designate your donation if you have a special interest, or your undesignated contribution may be used for purchasing equipment, faculty development, student research, scholarships(endowed), faculty research, support for Sadler Chair, or restoration of Room 100 (lecture room).



		News from 2002 C. DAVID FINCH, JR., M.D. DISTINGUISHED BIOLOGY ALUMNUS FOR 2002 Dr. David Finch ('80) received his medical degree from the School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS. Dr. Finch is a Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine and a Diplomate, American Board of Nephrology. Also, Dr. Finch is Medical Director of Renex NNA Dialysis Facilities, Inc., in Louisiana and Mississippi. Dr. Finch has been involved in the development of new equipment for treatment of chronic renal failure patients. Dr. Finch and his associates, hold patents for the LifeSite® Hemodialysis Access System which offers an alternative to current access techniques in treating chronic renal patients. Dr. Finch is married to the former Emily Wilson. They are the parents of four children: Beth, Trey, Austin, and Patrick. The Finch family resides in Clinton, MS. Dr. Finch is not the only accomplished member of the Finch family. Daughter Beth, a high school senior, is a National Merit Semi-finalist and the current Mississippi Junior Miss. She plans to attend Mississippi College. DR. BALDWIN NAMED INTERIM CHAIR Dr. Stan Baldwin, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, was named Interim Chair of the Department on June 1, 2002. Dr. Baldwin joined the Mississippi College biology faculty in January 1999. In addition to erving as Interim Chair, Dr. Baldwin will continue to serve as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anatomy at The University of Mississippi Medical School. He succeeds Dr. Ted Snazelle who stepped down as Chair after serving six years in that capacity. Dr. Snazelle, who is in his 23^rd year at Mississippi College, will be MC's 2003 Senior London Professor. Along with Dr. Jonathan Randle, Assistant Professor of English, Dr. Snazelle and his wife, Bea, will depart for a semester in London on January 6, 2003. NEW FACULTY MEMBER Mr. Terry Dent (BS '81, MCS '97) joined the biology faculty as Instructor and Laboratory Coordinator in August 2002. Mr. Dent comes to Mississippi College from Clinton High School where he taught for the past eight years. He is married to the former Nancy Conner (BM '82). Terry and Nancy are the parents of Sam, a third-grader. The Dents are members of First Baptist Clinton where Terry is active in the music ministry. Focus on Alumni . . . DR. RICHARD K. COOPER, II After graduating from Madison Ridgeland Academy, Madison, MS in 1981, Richard "Richie" Cooper enrolled at Mississippi College. In 1985, he graduated with a major in biology and minors in chemistry and English. Subsequently, he earned his MS degree in Wildlife Ecology and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University in 1988. After graduating from MSU, he enrolled in the University of Georgia where he earned a Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology in 1991. Dr. Cooper joined the faculty as Assistant Professor of Aquaculture at Louisiana State University in October 1991. He holds a joint appointment with the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Science at LSU. In July 2000, Dr. Cooper was promoted to the rank of professor. Dr. Cooper's research interests center on enhanced disease resistance in acquacultured species and is being studied in two ways: 1) determining virulence factors associated with Edwardsiella ictaluri, the etiological agent of enteric septicemia of channel catfish, in order to determine how the organism causes disease and provide a live attenuated vaccine, and 2) enhancing the immune system of fish and oysters through the incorporation of a lytic peptide to confer resistance to pathogenic organisms. In the past two years, much of Dr. Cooper's research focus has shifted from channel catfish disease treatment to development of gene therapy methods and production of transgenic chickens capable of producing pharmaceutical proteins in the albumin of eggs. This research is being funded by the United States Army to develop vaccines against microbes which might be used by bioterrorists. Dr. Cooper, his wife Lauren , and children, Kent (11), Collyn (9), and Will (6), live near Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Prairieville. The Coopers are active at the Church of the Highlands where Lauren is the children's director and Richie serves in a church leadership position. VISITING RESEARCHER Dr. Ignac Sivec, Slovenian Museum of Natural History, Ljubljana, Slovenia, was a visiting researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Bill Stark this summer. Drs. Stark and Sivec have previously published five articles together. This summer they completed five new manuscripts dealing with systematics of oriental and palearctic stoneflies. TRI BETA PICNIC On Saturday afternoon, September 14, 2002, held a picnic at the home of Dr. & Mrs. Clinton Bailey. About 50 biology students and faculty and staff members were in attendance. Dr. Bailey serves as the faculty advisor. NEWS NOTES Wendy McLean ('99) and her family (Stuart, Joseph and Charlotte) send Christmas greetings from Florida. Not your typical winter wonderland! R. Patrick Welsh, DDS announced the association of T. Guion Gee, DMD ('92) to his general dentistry practice. Congratulations Guion! Christy Greer Turner ('97) and husband Scott have settled in Enterprise, Alabama. Christy spent last summer working with children and says she almost forgot she isn't a child herself. Andrew Achord ('92) let us know that he graduated from UMC with an MS in immunopathology before going to dental school at UMC. He finished in 2001 and is in private practice in Brandon. He also updated us on his family-two daughters and a son. Dr. C. Ron Cannon ('72) recently was a guest speaker at the combined Arkansas-Missouri Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Meeting in Branson, Missouri. Dr. Cannon gave two presentations-"Fine Needle Aspiration: Tips and Pearls for the Otolaryngologist - Head & Neck Surgeon," and "Historical Vignettes in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery." A recent update from Phyllis Anne Heflin Linton ('72), Math Department Chair at Bradshaw High School, Florence, Alabama. In addition to her degree at MC, Phyllis earned a B.S.Ed. In mathematics/secondary education and M.A. from University of N. Alabama. She has assisted students with Westinghouse/Intel research projects for 12 years-has had two semi-finalists in the nation; every year but one has had one to five state winners in the Gorgas competition and state winners in paper reading at the Alabama Junior Academy of Science. Phyllis is the proud mother of David Jonathan-in law school in Washington, DC, Joel Hugh, and Rebecca Anne Linton all graduates of Columbia University in N. Y. City; daughter Rachel Joy Linton is a junior at Princeton University in N.J. Peggy Rae Dorris ('56) recently retired from Henderson State University where she is currently Professor & Chair Department of Biology (Emeritus). Peggy taught biology for 30 years at Henderson State and was department chair for 19 years. Alison Bryant Huckaby ('98) married Tim Huckaby on November 21, 1998. Alison worked as a Research Assistant for the Environmental Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center for 3 years until daughter, Hannah Michelle, was born November 3, 2000. Alison's current position is that of a stay-at-home Mom! MARRIAGES Amanda Hutcheson ('01) to Brian Schaeffer (also an MC alum), May 2001. Amanda has been busy since her graduation and marriage. She has attended graduate school at The Citadel while finishing her last year of Cross Country eligibility. She and Brian moved to New Orleans where she is currently working as a Research Associate for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, in the Department of Ophthalmology. Her work there has given her a true love for research which she plans to continue after she completes her academic pursuits. Matt Miles ('01) to Erin Denise O'Flynn July 14, 2001. Matt asked for a correction to last year's Biofocus. He is in medical school at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. Jill Suzanne Parker ('01) and Robert Andrew Armstrong, Jr. December 15, 2001. Deborah Ruth McGuire ('99) to Dr. Charlie Ed Brunson, Jr. December 21, 2001. Fanasy Ann Prokop ('99) to Matthew Dennis Deming June 1, 2002. Matthew Jacob Hunt ('01) to Jennifer Lucille McKie. (Matt's Mom says he is doing great in med school!) Elizabeth Grace Boerner to Nicolas Aaron Belk ('02) June 8, 2002. Melissa Ann Farris to James Elton Nettles, Jr. ('97) June 22, 2002. Sherry Diane Chance ('99) to Clifton Lynn Pippen August 24, 2002. Melissa Anne Fortman to Charles Clifton Roy ('01) August 31, 2002. Allison Trim Tatum ('00) (married May 2001) emailed in October to say she was halfway through her last year of PT school, enjoying it and looking forward to clinicals in the spring. BIRTHS Benjamin David Capps born September 18, 2001 to Dr. Nancy Barksdale Capps ('82). Nancy says big sister Eliza loves to remind her that "even though you're a doctor, you're mostly still my mom." Joshua Andrew Collins born July 23, 2002. Joshua was welcomed by big brother Caleb and proud parents Lynda Brown Collins ('88) and Kerry Collins. DEATHS The Department of Biological Sciences was saddened to learn of the death of the following alumni: Dr. John Carlyle Fridge, November 22, 2000; Dennis L. Jordan ('40) September 25, 1999. Although Dr. Craig Whitlock wasn't a faculty member in the biology department, he was an integral part of the programs we offer our students. We were all shocked and saddened by his sudden death September 11, 2002. Apparently he suffered a massive stroke while preparing for a physics lab. Words can't begin to describe how he will be missed. HEALTH SCIENCES REPORT 2002 Acceptances University of Mississippi Medical School* Amanda Burton ('00) Nova Southwestern University Osteopathic Medical School; April Dawn DeMoss ('02), Corey Jackson ('01), Tiffany Scarff ('02 MCS), Courtney Shires ('01), Eric Lee Street ('02), Daniel Thielemann ('01), William Lowe Waller ('02), Ernest Stephens Weeks ('02), Lee Thomas White (01). University of Kansas Medical School, Amanda West ('01). Pikeville College of Osteopathic Medicine, KY, Laura Alexander (MCS) University of Mississippi Dental School Leigh Ammon ('01), Nicolas Aaron Belk ('02), Charles Belknap ('01), Sloane Fortinberry ('02), Kyle Tanner Hunt ('02), Benjamin Leon Schrock ('02), Carla Gail Simpson ('02), Kevin Wells ('01). Physical Therapy School University of Mississippi Medical Center: Amy Elizabeth Fountain ('02), Melanie Ann Veazey ('02), Katie Watkins ('01); Creighton University, Omaha, NE Kathryn Suzanne Keen ('02) Optometry School Memphis: Christopher Terrell Bullin ('02), Elizabeth Green Patten ('02), Megan Sumrall; University of Alabama Optometry School: Shannon Potts ('01). Science Teacher, Clinton High School, James Wesley Quick. SENIOR RECOGNITIONS The following senior biology majors were selected for Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges: Nicolas Belk, Jonathan Bradshaw, Christopher Terrell Bullin, April DeMoss, B. Sloane Fortinberry, Amy Elizabeth Fountain, Kyle Tanner Hunt, Kathryn Keen, Kelly Christopher Lamb, Elizabeth Patten, James Wesley Quick, Carla Gail Simpson, William Lowe Waller III, Ernest Stephens Weeks Jr. BIOPHILES Are you a member? The Biophiles is an organization of "Lovers of Living things" for the support of the biological sciences at Mississippi. If you haven't joined, why not take a minute to fill out the form and send it in with your membership fee. You may designate your donation if you have a special interest, or your undesignated contribution may be used for purchasing equipment, faculty development, student research, scholarships(endowed), faculty research, support for Sadler Chair, or restoration of Room 100 (lecture room).