Bridgewater College’s Department of Chemistry has recognized nine students for their accomplishments in chemistry and research.
The John Martin Award for Organic Chemistry was presented to Erica Nelson. The award is presented to an outstanding student in organic chemistry, given in memory of Dr. John W. Martin Jr., class of 1947, who served on the Bridgewater faculty for 24 years, preparing students for careers in medicine and pharmaceutical work.
Nelson, a biochemistry major from Lexington Park, Md., is a member of the Philomathes Society, Flory Honors program and the TriBeta biology honor society. She is also a member of the softball team. After graduating from BC in 2025, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in forensics.
Annaliese Franklin, Nicholas Griffin and Marshall Ritchie each received a Dr. Stuart R. Suter Endowed Scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year. The award is presented to chemistry students with an interest in research and a minimum grade point average of 3.2.
Franklin, a sophomore chemistry major from Stafford, Va., is a member of the Flory Honors program and the Philomathes Society. After graduation, Franklin plans to go to graduate school or join the workforce.
Nicholas Griffin, a junior biochemistry major from Bridgewater, Va., is a member of the baseball team. After graduation, he plans to seek work in the field of industrial chemistry.
Ritchie, a junior biochemistry major from Weyers Cave, Va., is a member of the Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band and the jazz and wind ensembles. During his time at BC, he has completed research titled “Alternate Synthetic Approaches to the Synthesis of Fluoxetine: An Organic Chemistry-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE),” which was presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) convention. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school to become a pharmacologist.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) Outstanding Senior Award was given to Mary Ruth Shifflett who received a one-year membership in the ACS, presented by the Virginia Section of the American Chemical Society.
Shifflett, a senior biochemistry major with a computer science minor from Grottoes, Va., is a member of Alpha Chi, a national college scholarship honor society, and TriBeta. She is also a member of the women’s basketball team and BC United, a peer and bystander education organization that addresses issues of sexual violence and substance use.
During her time at BC, she completed a research project titled “Kinetics and Binding Study of Substrates of 12α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.”
After graduation, she will enter into the chemistry Ph.D. program at the University of Oregon.
Leigha Dillard and Hailey Franks were presented the Garland L. Reed Chemistry Award that recognizes the best chemistry project conducted during the year at the College. The award is named in memory of Garland L. Reed, a 1948 Bridgewater graduate in chemistry who had a distinguished career in the Food and Drug Administration.
Dillard, a sophomore biochemistry major with a Spanish minor from Keezletown, Va., is a member of TriBeta and is a tutor on campus for students in general chemistry and biology. After graduation, she plans to gain further experience in her major and is interested in residing and teaching abroad.
Franks, a sophomore chemistry major with a crime and justice minor from Nokesville, Va., is a SOAR mentor on campus.
During her time at BC, she has worked on a project developing latent fingerprints with Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Kenneth Overway. The project uses a variety of different chemical sprays to determine which sprays allow for the best development of latent fingerprints on various surfaces. She has also built a spectrometer, which allows individuals to see fingerprints close up using a green LED light, dichroic lens and red lens.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in forensics science.
Katie Griffin and Megan Huffstickler received the Joseph M. and Jane A. Crockett Award. The Joseph M. and Jane A. Crockett Award recognizes excellence in academic performance of two first-year students in chemistry courses. This award is named for Dr. Joseph M. Crockett and his wife, Jane. Dr. Crockett served as a professor of chemistry at Bridgewater College for 35 years and retired at the end of the 2019-20 academic year, holding the position of the A. LeRoy and Wanda H. Baker Chair of Science.
Katie Griffin, a first-year biochemistry major from Swoope, Va., is a member of the Flory Honors program. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to become a physician assistant.
Huffstickler, a first-year biology major from Fredericksburg, Va., is a member of the Flory Honors program and the Pre-Health Society, which assists students who are pursuing a career in health-related fields. After graduation, she plans to attend veterinary school.
Media Contact:
Logan Bogert
Communications Coordinator
lbogert@bridgewater.edu
(540) 828-5486
