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Martin D. Walker School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics 2025-2026 REPORT

olivet.edu FALL 2 0 2 6

INSIDE Letter from the Dean P3 Accomplishments and Awards P4 Cyberspace Team Top Finishers in Cybersecurity Competition P5 Q. Scott Ragan, P.E., S.E. Honored with Endowed Chair at Olivet P9 Feeding the Hungry in Guatemala P11 Engineering Senior Projects P14 Pence-Boyce Undergraduate Summer Research P22 Programs at a Glance P25 Encounters with the Arctic Ecosystems in Iceland P26 Conferences and Events P30 STEM Faculty P34 2

O L I VE T STEM REPORT

as conferences they are able to attend and in some cases present their own research. In other places students are able to expand their scientific knowledge through independent research. All of these activities have a positive long lasting impact on our students. They have a richer experience because of you.

Letter from the Associate Dean

Dr. Dale K. Hathaway, Associate Dean of the Martin D. Walker School of STEM Dear Friends, Welcome to the fourth annual issue of the STEM Magazine! I hope that the past year has given you all the opportunities you desired, including a chance to grow and to serve. Each year is accompanied by its own challenges but each year also brings about its own rewards. It is my hope that you have overcome the challenges you may have faced and that you received some rewards. This is our opportunity to share with you some of our successes from the past year, and to thank you for your support which has made many of these stories possible.

Higher education is facing many challenges, and some schools have closed because of those challenges including one of Olivet’s sister schools. But Olivet has worked to position herself to succeed and has tremendous support. Part of that support is from people like you. We might get by without your support but you help us thrive and reach greater heights, for that we say thank you! Our STEM students are able to have a richer educational experience because of your gifts and donations. In this issue you will read about educational trips our students are able to take as well

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

In this issue we continue the popular Awards and Accomplishments section. I am a firm believer in having data to support my conclusions. We can say we are a good strong school, but in this section you will see awards our students have won, including a top 1% finish in a national competition. You will find long lists of students going on to graduate school and completing advanced degrees. You will read about faculty getting recognition from outside sources including getting their work published, along with two internal endowed positions in STEM! I hope you enjoy reading about the experiences from this past year. Sincerely, Dale K. Hathaway, Ph.D.

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AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Students

STUDENTS ACCEPTED INTO GRADUATE PROGRAMS FRANCESCA BAISLER (Zoology) Lincoln Memorial University, M.S. in Veterinary Biomedical Science

OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICS GRADUATE Madison Zeck

ROBERT MILNER AWARD Kyle Neuber (Biology)

SADIE BLASZCZYK (Biology) Van Andel Institute, Ph.D. Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology ISAIAH BOST (Biology) Taylor University, Physician Assistant Program JOSIE BRUNNER (Zoology) Lincoln Memorial University, Veterinary School

MAGGIE SLOAN CRAWFORD AWARD Sadie Blaszczyk (Biology)

NATIONAL CYBER LEAGUE TEAM (PG 5) Top 1%, 36th out of 3,634 teams

Alumnus SUSZANNE BELL NASA Dr. Suzanne Bell (‘98, Psychology, History), Lead Scientist of NASA’s Behavioral Health and Performance Laboratory, serves as Principal Investigator for Artemis Research for Crew Health and Readiness (ARCHeR), a research initiative supporting NASA’s Artemis II mission and future lunar and Mars exploration efforts.

ELEANOR FOURNIER (Biology) University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rural Medical Education Program QUINTON LONG (Geological Sciences/ Mathematics/Physical Sciences) Missouri University of Sciences and Technology, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Ph.D. Program MADISON ZECK (Mathematics and Psychology) University of Indianapolis, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology KYLE NEUBER (Biology) Marian University, College of Osteopathic Medicine HAYLEY O’VELL (Chemistry/Geological Sciences) Purdue University, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Ph. D. Program. CODY PATTON (Biology) Arkansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine; member of the inaugural Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) class

Photo: Danielle Villasana

O L I VET STEM REPORT

LAUREN PHILLIPS (Chemistry) Trevecca Nazarene University, Physician Assistant Program

Cyberspace Team Finishes in Top 1% at National Cybersecurity Competition Written by Lauren Beatty

The team of students

representing Olivet Nazarene University at the National Cyber League (NCL) Spring Competition finished in the top 1% in the nation, ranking 36 out of 3,634 teams. Players on Team Cyberspace included Nathanael Otto, Richard Niyonzima, Jacob Morani and D’avante Farmer, and the team was led by coach, Ryan Younger, Ph.D. The competition took place April 24-26, with final results published on May 1. The biannual NCL competition provides scenario-focused learning opportunities for young talent in the cybersecurity field. According to the organization’s website, “the mission of the NCL Competition is to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by providing high school and college students, as well as their coaches, an online, safe platform of real-world cybersecurity challenges.” In addition to gaining experience working in a team-based

environment, participants in the competition earn an individualized Scouting Report, which provides data that identifies skills for professional readiness and suggests potential career tracks. Dr. Younger, assistant professor in the Walker School of STEM, explained that the high level of performance demonstrated by Olivet’s team was not just gameday excellence, but also reflected months of intense practice. “The result reflects the students’ hard work, sustained preparation across the semester, original inclass exercises such as password hash auctions, and targeted NCL practice, along with continued encouragement during the Team Game weekend to help maintain momentum.” The thousands of teams that competed in this year’s online event vied to perform well across nine challenge categories including open source

intelligence, cryptography, log analysis, network traffic analysis, scanning forensics, password cracking, enumeration and exploitation, and web application security. Teams from Olivet have participated in the competition for the past three years. “One particularly notable result [for us] is that the team achieved 100% completion and 100% accuracy in Password Cracking, placing among the top 15 teams nationally with a perfect score,” Dr. Younger added about Olivet’s exceptional performance.

“Beyond the final ranking, the competition shows how hands-on challenges build skills and prepare students for real-world scenarios.” FALL 2 0 2 6

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AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Alumnus

(CONTINUED)

JONATHON KANE (‘22) AND MADDIE ZAGAJOWSKI (‘23) are currently pursuing Ph.D.s in chemistry at Loyola University and recently presented their work at the national American Chemical Society Meeting in Chicago, August, 2026. Jonathon’s work was titled “Design and Synthesis of Quinolone Analogs as Antibiotics through Inhibition of the Sodium-Dependent NADH-Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) in Pathogenic Bacteria”; Maddie’s poster was titled “Effect of in vivo bicarbonate depletion via anion exchange and arginine chelation on the photosynthetic electron transport chain in Limnospira maxima.”

ALUMNUS ACCEPTED INTO GRADUATE PROGRAMS WILL BROWN (‘25, Biology) University of Oklahoma College of Medicine RACHAEL DEVRIES (‘23, BIOLOGY) Eastern Illinois University M.S. in Biological Sciences LUCY MARTINSON (’25 Biology) Southern Illinois University, Medical School TESSA KOWALSKI (’25 Biology) Medical College of Wisconsin, Genetic Counseling Program EMILY (BUESS) THOMPSON (’24 Biology) Taylor University, Physician Assistant Program

COMPLETED DEGREES LAUREN KEE (’22, Chemistry) Completed medical school at Southern Illinois University CONNER CAVANAUGH (’22, Biology) Completed medical school at Southern Illinois University GRACE (MARKLEY) CHRISTOPHERSON (’21, Biology) Completed medical school at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine TIM MAYOTTE (’19 Biology) Completed medical school at Western Michigan University BRYCE LEATHERMAN (’18 Chemical Engineering) Completed medical school at University of Nicosia

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AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Faculty KOCHERSPERGER ENDOWED ENGINEERING CHAIR (PG 9) Scott Ragan Engineering

ZONTA 2026 WOMEN IN STEM AWARD (LOCAL AND REGIONAL AWARDS) Nicole Vander Schaaf Biology

RECIPIENT OF THE WILLIAMSEALE SHORT-TERM FELLOWSHIP FOR 2026-2027 AT THE WINTERTHUR MUSEUM, GARDEN, AND LIBRARY IN WINTERTHUR DELAWARE Steve Case Chemistry and Geosciences

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS Larcom, R.; KIETZMAN. P.; O’Rourke, M.; Tracy, B. Do Pastures Diversified with Native Wildflowers Benefit Honeybees (Apis mellifera)? Agriculture 15 (18) 2025. MAX AND CAROL REAMS PROFESSORSHIP AND 2026 STUDENT EMPLOYEE SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR Charles Carrigan Chemistry & Geosciences

O L I VE T STEM REPORT

Ahlfors, S.P., LEW, S., Hamalainen, M.S. et al Conductivity Deviations as Virtual Sources in Magnetoencephalography. Brain Topography, 39, 46 2026. LYLE, J. Independent sets in K 6-free graphs with large degree, Discrete Mathematics 349 (4) April 2026.

Q. Scott Ragan, P.E., S.E. Honored with Endowed Chair at Olivet Written by Lauren Beatty

Olivet has recognized Q. Scott Ragan as the first recipient of the Kochersperger Endowed Chair for the Department of Engineering In spring 2026, Olivet Nazarene

University announced the appointment of Q. Scott Ragan, P.E., S.E. as the Kochersperger Endowed Chair for the Department of Engineering. The endowed chair honors the legacy of Terry Kochersperger ’89 M.A. and his late wife Marlene (Raisch) Kochersperger ’64. “When Professor Scott Ragan joined the Olivet faculty, he brought with him a wealth of experience as a practicing structural engineer,” commented Kent Olney, Ph.D. dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “He has a heart for God and his students. Prof. Ragan competently and compassionately leads a strong team of engineering professors, who together have inspired dozens of young men and women to pursue engineering as more than a career but as a ministry to humanity. Without question, Scott Ragan exemplifies the values and ideals represented by the Kochersperger Endowed Chair. He is loved and respected by students and colleagues alike.” Ragan joined the faculty at Olivet as an associate professor of engineering in 2019, and was appointed the chair of the Department of Engineering in 2023. He earned a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1993 and his master’s degree in 1999 from the same institution. Ragan is licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) in eighteen states and as a Structural Engineer (SE) in Illinois. He has been

a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) since 1995. “We are looking at ways to enhance student engagement and departmental needs, such as student Engineering Club activities,” Ragan said of the benefit of the endowment for the department. “I am hoping that the recognition will help us promote the engineering program and compete with other engineering programs in the Midwest and beyond. We are working hard to represent Olivet with an engineering education with a Christian purpose. We will work equally as hard to represent the Kochersperger Endowment. We treasure this opportunity.” In the Walker School of STEM at Olivet, Ragan teaches courses including statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, reinforced concrete design, and steel design. Ragan’s professional experience outside the classroom includes engineering positions with Technical Engineering Consultants (TEC) in Knoxville, Tenn.; Stanley D. Lindsay and Associates (SDA) in Nashville, Tenn.; EFI Global in Addison, Ill.; and Unified Investigations and Sciences in Memphis, Tenn. The Kochersperger Endowed Chair is meant to strengthen and enhance the Department of Engineering not only through budgetary support of the faculty position, but also by providing funding for conferences to encourage

ongoing professional development; dedicated time for mentoring student projects and research; enhanced academic supervision of students’ engineering training; and support for developing collaborative opportunities at the local, regional and international levels. As longtime supporters of academic excellence at Olivet, the Kocherspergers established a student scholarship fund in 1991 and continued to expand support of the Department of Engineering in the years since. This new department endowment began with a generous donation from Terry and Marlene who had a joint desire to provide resources that will benefit engineering students at Olivet. Terry’s background in engineering and dedication to serving in the Church of the Nazarene in various ways over the years directed the focus of their generous gift to continue investing in future generations of academically prepared and spiritually grounded engineers. FALL 2 0 2 6

Science, Engineering, and a Commitment to Sustainable Solutions in Guatemala.

Written and submitted by Dr. Nicholas Troendle 10

O L I VET STEM REPORT

In May 2026, students and faculty from Olivet Nazarene University’s Department of Biology joined with a team from the Engineering Department and traveled to Guatemala for a mission trip focused on a simple but meaningful question: How can we use our skills to help local communities develop sustainable ways to meet their own needs? The trip demonstrated the unique role STEM education can play in Christian service. Engineering, biology, agriculture, problem-solving, and research became practical tools for serving others. From a tilapia breeding system in Chisec to fuel-efficient cookstoves in San Pedro el Cerro, we saw how technical knowledge can be paired with local expertise to create sustainable and practical solutions that meet the needs of the community. The team included Dr. Nicholas Troendle, team leader and faculty member with experience in fish breeding and husbandry; Zoology student, Sophie Dagnall, Biology student, Hannah Chung; and Stephanie Troendle, who assisted with the projects, took photos, and provided encouragement throughout the trip.

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Multiplying Fish in Chisec For many aquaculture operations, raising fish from fingerlings to harvest is only part of the challenge. In Chisec, fingerlings are expensive and only sporadically available, making consistent production difficult. Our goal was to help local producers overcome that barrier by creating a system to produce their own tilapia fingerlings. During the first four days of the trip, we designed and built a tilapia breeding system alongside Troy Lovell, Davis Testerman, Dr. Joe Schroder and members of the local community. Building in Guatemala required creativity and flexibility. Unlike in the United States, where a missing part or material can often be found with a quick trip to Lowe’s or Menards, many of the materials we needed simply weren’t available locally. That meant we had to improvise—a lot! Through teamwork and problem-solving, we completed and tested the system, stocked it with fish and prepared the community to begin producing its own fingerlings.

“It was wonderful to be able to use our project to help people in a sustainable way that will last longer than just the weeks we spent there.” - Sophie

The result was more than a biology and engineering project. It created a sustainable resource local farmers can continue using long after the Olivet team returned home. “When people found out I was leading a mission trip to Guatemala, their first question was often, ‘Are you going to build a church?’ They were surprised when I explained our project. But as I thought about Jesus multiplying the fish and bread to feed thousands, I realized—that’s what we’re doing. We’re multiplying fishes! We’re taking something small and multiplying it to help feed many.” 12

O L I VE T STEM REPORT

“Guatemala was truly an amazing experience. I went hoping to make an impact, but the people I met impacted me far more.” - Hannah

Cooking Up Change in San Pedro el Cerro The second half of the trip took us to Antigua Guatemala, where we partnered with Mission Impact, an organization that supports locally developed solutions to community needs. Its programs range from a missionary school that teaches high school students practical skills like woodworking, cooking and computer programming to professional training programs for women in nursing, medical technology and dental assisting. Our team chose a hands-on project that continued our theme of feeding the hungry. We traveled to the small mountain village of San Pedro el Cerro, home to approximately 200 families, where we worked alongside Margarito and his wife, Florinda, to install two fuel-efficient wood-burning cookstoves. Many families still cook over open wood fires inside their homes, where

smoke can contribute to serious health problems. Margarito designed the more efficient stoves and builds them in his hometown of Santa Maria before transporting them by truck into mountain communities. Our Olivet team funded, assembled and installed two of the stoves in local homes. One of the most memorable moments came when the families saw the stoves in operation. Instead of smoke filling their homes, it traveled safely outside through the new stovepipes. One family was so excited that they immediately lit their stove and began cooking tortillas. For our team, it was a powerful reminder that meaningful change doesn’t always require a complicated solution. Sometimes it looks like a better way to cook a meal, a healthier home, or the opportunity for a farmer to produce his own fish.

The trip was a reminder that education is not only about what we can learn or build. It is also about how we can use what we have learned to serve others. Thanks to the McGraw STEM student engagement fund and Catalyst for partially supporting this engaging experience.

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The Senior Design Project I and II courses are considered the capstone experience for engineering majors. They are the culmination of the engineering program at Olivet. This two-course sequence gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their engineering knowledge and skills in a single and focused work/academic experience. During Senior Design Project I, student teams develop a proposal and initial design solution. During Senior Design Project II, student teams finalize the design documentation and implement the design. The capstone experience provides an opportunity for seniors to demonstrate advanced

O L I VE T STEM REPORT

knowledge and expectations in all seven of the Engineering Student Outcomes. Projects are often presented to the engineering department from local industry contacts, national competitions, community service projects, global mission projects, engineering department needs, and Olivet concerns. The engineering faculty, with support from industry partners, alumni employed in industry and consulting fields, local government entities, and partners with the same Christian vision as Olivet, select projects and assign students to teams based on a sorting process that accounts for student interests, engineering concentration, strengths, and weakness. Each team is assigned a faculty mentor.

TINY HOUSE FOR HOPAN MINISTRIES

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

House of Prayer for All Nations (HOPAN)

Dr. Seok Lew Prof. Scott Ragan

Aaron Bennett, Elijah Hoveland, Owen Mathre, Brent Lee Patterson

DESCRIPTION

A tiny house was designed and constructed for HOPAN ministries in Chicago in 2024-2025 to house a homeless person. Additional uses of the house include temporary refugee housing, temporary field missionary housing, and temporary disaster relief housing. The house is modular and low-maintenance and has a life-expectancy of ten years. The house components were sourced at local building supply businesses. The house can be recycled after it is spent. Dr. Seok Lew with the Engineering Department is credited with helping initiate the project with HOPAN. This year’s project included the design of modular furniture, improved wheel performance for moving the house, a ramp for accessibility, and research into thermal efficiency of the house.

PROJECT

ENGINEERING // SENIOR PROJECTS // 2025=2026

PROJECT

BASIC UTILITY VEHICLE (BUV) MINISTRIES

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

BUV Ministries

Dr. Seok Lew

Braeden Stoller, Antonio Gonzalez, Brock Karns, Braden Conners

DESCRIPTION

The Institute for Affordable Transportation (IAT) is a nonprofit dedicated to improving lives in underserved communities by developing basic vehicles that connect people with essential services. Its Basic Utility Vehicle (BUV) is a rugged, low-cost, lightweight vehicle designed for rural Africa, where it transports food, medical supplies, and other necessities across harsh terrain. To improve the BUV’s performance, a turbocharger was added to its air-cooled diesel engine during the 2024– 2025 academic year, but the air-to-fuel ratio required further refinement. This year’s team improved the airfuel mixture, investigated a lighter cargo bed, and documented assembly and disassembly procedures for future end users.

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ENGINEERING // SENIOR PROJECTS // 2025-2026

PROJECT

SAE BAJA COMPETITION

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

Dr. Joe Schroeder

Grant Wheeler, Alex Ramirez, Sawyer Richardson

DESCRIPTION

Each year, Olivet’s Engineering Department develops an off-road vehicle to compete in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Baja Competition held in the United States. Stringent rules must be adhered to for this competition, and testing and validation of the vehicle is required at competition before competing in the various activities, such as an endurance race and an off-road competition. This year, the students improved the previous year’s car. The competition is in Ohio. Walker Manufacturing of Fort Collins, Colorado, Meineke of Bourbonnais, IL, and many other doners contribute to the cost of building the vehicle.

PROJECT

ASCE/ASIC STEEL BRIDGE COMPETITION

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Prof. Ragan

Miliano Zuniga, Jack Rimington, Hunter Trainor, David Sanchez

DESCRIPTION

Now in its third year, Olivet’s Engineering Department designed and constructed a steel bridge in accordance with competition rules established by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). Held each spring at student symposiums across the country, the competition judges bridges on aesthetics, strength, deflection, and other criteria. Olivet’s bridge was designed, fabricated, and constructed by students, who also solicited project donations from numerous sources, including companies that sponsored internships for students involved in the project.

O L I VET STEM REPORT

PROJECT

WATER DESALINATION SYSTEM FOR RURAL ECUADOR COMPETITION

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

Life Giving Water International (LGWI)

Dr. Michael Wade

Isaiah Mannebach, Jack Fries, Daniel Sorich, Daniel Miller

DESCRIPTION

Life Giving Water International (LGWI) is a Christian community development organization founded in 2015 that partners with rural communities in Ecuador to provide clean water through wells, distribution systems, spring protection, and water treatment. LGWI also consults for a ministry serving communities in Colombia’s La Guajira region, where shallow groundwater is often brackish or salty and access to electricity is limited. Residents typically desalinate water by boiling it over woodburning fires and collecting the evaporated water. For an LGWI-sponsored competition, students developed a more efficient, less labor-intensive solution using humidification-dehumidification (HDH). Their system combines solar heating, an evaporator, and a condenser and was submitted to LGWI for consideration.

PROJECT

AGINNO UPDATED FISH FEEDER

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

Aginno Institute

Dr. Joe Schroeder

Alex Arteaga Restrepo, Santiago Rafael Pena, Davis Testerman

DESCRIPTION

During the 2024–2025 academic year, Olivet students designed and developed an automatic fish feeder for the Aginno Institute and El Puente Mission in Guatemala. The feeder automates feeding for tilapia by dispensing preset amounts entered through an interface panel. Students transported and installed the system in Guatemala in May 2025. During the 2025–2026 academic year, students improved the feeder’s electronics and feed distribution, then returned to Guatemala to install the updated system in May 2026. Both trips provided students with missional and international experiences. Olivet’s McGraw grant helped fund the project, while the Aginno Institute provided financial and housing support in Guatemala.

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ENGINEERING // SENIOR PROJECTS // 2025-2026

PROJECT

AUTOMATION OF PRODUCTION TAGS

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

American Highway

Dr. Jonathan Weber Prof. Scott Ragan

Abigail Henson, Creedon Welch, Jonah Carlson, Josh Dennis

DESCRIPTION

American Highway is a leading manufacturer and supplier of infrastructure products to highway contractors nationwide, including loose dowels, tie bars, and welded dowel assemblies. The company’s tracking of steel bars and epoxy-coating materials through manufacturing was a manual process. To improve efficiency, American Highway sought to automate production tags generated by its ERP platform, Acumatica, to include lot and heat number information from incoming materials. Students designed and developed a prototype that scanned incoming production tags, transferred the information to a spreadsheet, and printed new tags for use during manufacturing.

PROJECT

WHEELCHAIR SEAT ELEVATOR

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

Devices 4 the Disabled (D4D)

Dr. Seok Lew

Alauna Stults, Stephen Garth, Jonny Guataquira, Nickolas Olson

DESCRIPTION

Devices 4 the Disabled (D4D) was founded in 2015 to refurbish used medical equipment that otherwise would end up in landfills. They provide the equipment for free to those who need it most: those without insurance, who are underinsured, or lack the finances to purchase the equipment they need. A wheelchair, where the seat of the wheelchair raises and lowers so that the user can easily enter and exit vehicle seats, was requested. The students developed a prototype of the left. The mechanics of the lift fit in the envelope of the wheelchair and was light enough for the user to lift the chair into the vehicle.

O L I VE T STEM REPORT

PROJECT

REMOTE CONTROLLED WALKER

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

Devices 4 the Disabled (D4D)

Dr. Aram Agajanian

Vaugh Huber, Ethan Mills, Matthew Lee

DESCRIPTION

Devices 4 the Disabled (D4D) was founded in 2015 to refurbish used medical equipment that otherwise would end up in landfills. They provide the equipment for free to those who need it most: those without insurance, who are underinsured, or lack the finances to purchase the equipment they need. A remote-controlled walker that can move to the user via a hand-held remote-control device was proposed by Dr. Aram Agajanian of the engineering department. A working prototype was successfully developed by the students.

PROJECT

PEDDINGHAUS OXYFUEL TORCH HOLDER

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

Peddinghaus Corporation

Dr. Jonathan Weber

Tyler Hall, Jessica Gill, Gabe Karel

DESCRIPTION

Peddinghaus Corporation, headquartered in Bradley, Illinois, is a fourth-generation, familyowned global manufacturer of CNC machinery for structural steel processing, with operations and offices throughout the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Peddinghaus developed a proprietary robotic cutting machine that uses a plasma torch to cut structural steel. This project focused on adding an oxy-fuel torch as a second tool, requiring a mechanism to efficiently switch between the two. Students designed the tool-changing mechanism and developed the necessary drawings for its construction.

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ENGINEERING // SENIOR PROJECTS // 2025-2026

PROJECT

CHEMICAL PROCESS DESIGN COMPETITION

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)

Dr. Keith Schimmel

Braden Kehr, Makenna Smith, Ivan Munoz, Yarizza Pina

DESCRIPTION

The Cow Excrement for Renewable Energy Supplies (CERES) project aimed to increase the use of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) while reducing methane emissions from traditional dairy cow manure handling. The proposed facility would be located in central Wisconsin between Madison and Green Bay. The team designed and evaluated a process using anaerobic digestion of pooled cow manure to produce RNG suitable for the state’s natural gas grid. The project also addressed digestate handling, water and wastewater management, and the potential recovery of CO₂ for use in the regional food and beverage market.

PROJECT

VEX ROBOTICS STUDENT COMPETITION

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

VEX Robotics

Prof. Munya Katongera

Ava Gorman, Kent Gieselman, Nick Spry, Joel Rucker

DESCRIPTION

The VEX robotics teams at ONU built, tested, and entered two robots in the Vex Robotics competition. This was a combined effort between the engineering department and computer science department. The students placed well in a regional competition. Olivet’s student team won the Judges award for student engagement, collaboration, and competition attitude.

O L I VET STEM REPORT

PROJECT

BUILDING DESIGN

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

Prof. Scott Ragan

Cynthia Morales, Shakira Turner. Kiara Castro, Kaleb Madsen, Ryan Swims

DESCRIPTION

The student team applied their Architectural Engineering skills to the design of a dwelling. They prepared drawings and specifications for the dwelling. Collaboration with outside Architectural, Mechanical, and Electrical consultants was required for this project.

PROJECT

NAZARENE MEDICAL HOSPITAL POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

SPONSOR

FACULTY MENTOR

STUDENTS

Nazarene Medical Hospital

Michael Wade

John Hoskins, Daniel Caprariu, Will Baden, Joe Fugle

DESCRIPTION

The onsite maintenance at the hospital department provides power to run the hospital, a primary and secondary school, a nursing college, and surrounding homes. The station has been using a hydro turbine (hydro) and two backup diesel generators to power the missions station. Currently, all generators and the hydro all operate in isochronous mode. They also all use a governor to maintain constant frequency. As demand increases on the system, power blackouts become more frequent. The project was to assist the station in choosing a power management system. A combination system was designed. Working with professional engineers, generator specialists, and university faculty, the project team developed specific modular design options that the Nazarene General Hospital can implement as resources allow. These designs are a controller power management system, solar array, battery storage system, and additional diesel generators. Olivet STEM faculty traveled to the hospital in the summer of 2026 to help them understand the system. Fundraising is underway at the hospital to fund the new electricity system.

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2026 Pence-Boyce Undergraduate Summer Research Experience The Pence-Boyce summer research experience, funded anonymously by Olivet alumni and supported by Catalyst fund, supports students pursuing full-time summer research for ten weeks under the mentorship of a faculty supervisor. Since its establishment in 2001, the Pence-Boyce program has given approximately one hundred students first-hand experience doing fieldwork or research in the lab. This year, Pence-Boyce and Catalyst supported five students pursuing independent projects in several STEM disciplines. The Pence-Boyce Research Experience is named in honor of two former Olivet faculty members, Elbert Pence, Professor of Physics from 1962 to 1969, and Fanny Boyce, Professor of Mathematics from 1963 to 1970, both of whom exemplified excellence in higher education.

Pacey Nack

WORKING WITH DR. BRUCE HEYEN AND DR. LUCAS HENDERSON Pacey Nack, a chemistry major, worked with Dr. Bruce Heyen and Dr. Lucas Henderson to investigate new methods for breaking down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common recyclable plastic. Nack used light and different catalysts to explore whether photocatalytic depolymerization could provide a more economical alternative to current recycling methods. His research explores new possibilities for improving how widely used plastics can be chemically recycled. 22

O L I VET STEM REPORT

Noah Beall

WORKING WITH DR. JUSTIN BROWN Noah Beall, a triple major in actuarial science, data science and mathematics, worked with Dr. Justin Brown to study patterns within continued fractions, a unique way of representing real numbers. Beall collected data to determine whether certain numbers appear more frequently and explored mathematical limits on the values that can occur. Dr. Brown noted that Noah’s work allowed him to prove restrictions about continued fractions using only limited information about the number being represented.

Kimber Cobbs

WORKING WITH DR. NICOLE VANDER SCHAAF Kimber Cobbs, a biology major, worked with Dr. Nicole Vander Schaaf to advance research aimed at developing an affordable and accurate test for human papillomavirus (HPV) in Papua New Guinea. Cobbs conducted research both in Papua New Guinea and the United States, focusing on making the testing process more efficient and cost-effective for use in communities with limited resources. Dr. Vander Schaaf said her work is helping optimize the testing protocol “without compromising accuracy.”

Toby Gallion

WORKING WITH DR. GREG LONG Toby Gallion, a biology pre-med major, worked with Dr. Greg Long to investigate whether antioxidant compounds found in Olivet-produced honey and propolis could have protective effects related to neurodegenerative processes. Supported by the Pence-Boyce grant, Gallion spent the summer conducting complex experiments examining how these natural compounds affect microglial cells involved in the brain’s immune response. Dr. Long noted that the funding allowed Gallion to devote full-time attention to research that could shed light on a potential neurodegenerative pathway.

Isabella Ghidina

WORKING WITH DR. NICHOLAS TROENDLE Isabella Ghidina, a chemistry major, worked with Dr. Nicholas Troendle on a molecular population genetics study of honeybees. Using genetic markers called microsatellites, Ghidina investigated the genetic makeup of individual colonies and the frequency of “hive drift,” which occurs when forager bees move from one hive to another. Her research provides greater insight into honeybee colony genetics and behavior. FALL 2 0 2 6

Faith Meets Science: Olivet Students Hear from Pope’s Astronomer Written by Madeline Shepley IN THE MODERN ERA, it hasn’t been uncommon that secular society paints faith and science as enemies. However, if we believe that God is the creator of all things, including the laws that govern nature, it only logically follows that science departments at Christian universities should facilitate opportunities both inside and outside of class for students to experience the harmony between faith and science. This allows students to not only appreciate the created world but also the God who created it. In light of this, on February 10th, Professor Madeline Shepley took 15 students to nearby West Lafayette, IN to hear prominent planetary scientist and Jesuit astronomer, Brother Guy Consolmagno speak. Commonly known as the Pope’s Astronomer, Brother Guy often travels the globe (including a trip to Olivet nearly 20 years ago) as a science communicator to help people of all ages realize that they can embrace their faith and good science at the same time. At a church in West Lafayette, he gave a hilarious and compelling talk about his life and the astronomical work he’s done. Afterwards, there was a reception where he stuck around and chatted with those in attendance, including several of the students who went on the trip. 24

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P R O G R A M S AT A G L A N C E

Biological Sciences

Biology Environmental Science Science Education Zoology

Chemistry & Geosciences

Chemistry Chemistry Teaching Earth and Space Science Environmental Science Geography Geological Sciences Physical Sciences

Computer Science Cybersecurity Computer Science

Engineering Concentrations Architectural Civil Electrical Chemical & Biochemical Computer Mechanical

Mathematics Actuarial Science Data Science Mathematics Teaching Mathematics With 21 key areas of study and numerous degree and certificate options within each area, the Walker School of STEM offers the skills and opportunities to shape your future.

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w r it te n by D R . D AV I D H O E K M A N

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In June, 11 Olivet students experienced the unique ecosystems of Iceland firsthand through Olivet’s Arctic Field Ecology course. Taught by biology professors Dr. Parry Kietzman and Dr. David Hoekman, the field-based course gave students the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge of ecology and practice fieldwork and research in the arctic. I turned away from the wind to shield my face from the stinging raindrops being carried by a piercing wind coming right off the Arctic Ocean. We were on northeast the coast of Iceland, very near the arctic circle, doing an ecosystem assessment (EA). Over the course of 17 days, our students conducted 10 EAs all over Iceland, and to be fair many of them occurred on lovely sunny days. But others occurred with gritted teeth and perhaps a bit hurriedly so we could return to our vehicles. Doing EAs was one way we intentionally and systematically took stock of the arctic environments we were experiencing.

During an EA, students in small groups measured abiotic variables like temperature, humidity and wind speed, and biotic variables like plant community composition and structure. We also evaluated other relevant environmental variables like land use history, soil depth and the presence of grazing animals (so many sheep!). Our group of 11 students and three instructors traveled from rocky coasts, where we explored tide pools and observed cliff nesting birds, to spectacular fjords, lava fields, geothermal areas, heathland meadows and even one forested site. Our adventures included many thrilling moments for students seeing new life birds, climbing a lighthouse to conduct a whale survey, riding Icelandic horses and riding the waves in an arctic bay to visit Puffin Island and have a close-up encounter with humpback whales. Along the way we observed wildlife, collected data, explored new landscapes, and did research projects, but we also FALL 2 0 2 6

Our adventures were filled with thrilling moments; from spotting new bird species and climbing a lighthouse to survey whales, to riding Icelandic horses and crossing the waves of an Arctic bay to visit Puffin Island and encounter humpback whales. met new people, tried new foods and learned some Icelandic history. At the whale museum in Húsavík we spent an hour with Þröstur who told us a lot about whales but also the complicated history of whaling vs. whale watching in Iceland. At the Rif field station in Raufarhöfn we met Dr. Pedro Rodrigues who showed us the coastal tundra and explained the long-term research projects going on there, especially migratory birds and shoreline invertebrates. At the Skálanes research station, we met Dr. Ólafur Petursson who told us about the archaeological sites of the east fjords and what they reveal about the Viking age in Iceland as well as the story of the controversial introduction of Alaskan lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis) to Iceland.

At Skálanes the students conducted research projects. One group focused on macroinvertebrates in streams. Another group conducted a terrestrial arthropod survey using pitfall traps and contrasted the communities in areas dominated by lupine vs. other heathland vegetation. Others sampled the plant community and soil characteristics and how they are influenced by the density of lupine. We also shared space with a group of students from the University of Glasgow, who were conducting surveys of cliff nesting birds.

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Immersive field experiences like our Arctic Ecology class trip to Iceland are valuable and formative for students. This kind of opportunity to learn by doing and living can have an outsized impact on students who are just beginning to realize their calling and passion. We prioritize these kinds of experiences in the biology department and are grateful to Catalyst for supporting these trips.

For more information on degrees in biology, zoology or environmental science, contact Dan Sharda, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Biological Sciences.

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CONFERENCES & EVENTS

Olivet’s Future Science Teachers Head to National Conference Written and submitted by Dr. Aggie Veld MANY THANKS to the McGraw scholarship for financially supporting three pre-service science teachers at the National Science Teacher Association conference in Minneapolis, MN, November 12 – 15, 2025.

Above from L to R: Abby Bertermann, Christina Nelson, Prof. Aggie Veld, Tori Herndon

Abby Bertermann, Christina Nelson, & Tori Herndon, Students of EDUC 383, travelled to the conference with Dr. Veld, faculty sponsor for the National Science Teacher Association student chapter. They experienced a weekend with other pre-service and seasoned science teachers immersed in the world of teaching strategies, cutting edge science content, ideas on how to motivate, inspire and foster curiosity in students, and the joy of professional development. Christina, specializing in elementary education, found that the conference was a great opportunity to make connections with peers and curriculum developers. In one session she discovered

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how to integrate STEM into the science curriculum that she plans to teach using LEGOs! Her favorite part of the conference was a flower dissection activity designed for elementary students, a great “hands-on way to teach flower parts”. She looks forward to bringing new ideas back to her students! Tori, a geology major, getting her middle school science endorsement, said the conference was “wonderful” and that she learned how to “introduce concepts that have real world applications” (THAT’S right up my alley). She also discovered a plethora of resources available from the NSTA and collected many manipulatives, posters, and curriculum materials from the publishers exhibiting in the vendor hall.

Abby, while in her student teaching, was inspired to “make abstract concepts visible and handson for [her] students”. She found that, “incorporating more guided inquiry and evidence-based discussions can benefit [her] my students”. Her highlights were real-time demonstrations and ready-to-use resources. She found that there was something “invigorating” about reconnecting with the excitement of science with other educators. Once again, thank you to McGraw for enabling this critical experience in our teacher education program. These students have experienced a multitude of reasons for professional development and are fired up to teach the students science on a different level.

Prof. Aggie with Mascot

Akemi Hori

Pacey Nack

Hannah Price

Lexie Shea

Chemistry Students Present Research at National Chemistry Meeting Written and submitted by Dr. Bruce Heyen, Professor of Chemistry FOUR STUDENTS present research posters at national chemistry conference. On August 24, 2026, four Olivet chemistry students and three faculty, Willa Harper, Luc Henderson, and Bruce Heyen, attended the national American Chemical

Society meeting in Chicago. Each student presented a poster with the following titles: Pacey Nack, Photocatalytic Depolymerization of Polyethylene Terephthalate; Hannah Price, A Look into the Industry of Polymers; Lexie Shea, Exploring Bovine-Derived

Heparin Alternatives Through Collagenase-Assisted Extractions; and Akemi Hori, Synthesis of Trimethyl Citrate as Potential Inhibitor of PFK-1. Attendance at the conference was made possible by the generous support from the McGraw fund. FALL 2 0 2 6

CONFERENCES & EVENTS From L to R: Lezlie Hoffman, Emma Maston, and Staff Sponsor, Jill English

Privacy” and a workshop about mitigating prompt injection attacks in large language models (LLMs).

Women in Cybersecurity Conference Opens Doors for Olivet Students Written and submitted by Jill English IN MARCH, the Computer Science Department was represented at the 2026 National Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Conference in Washington, D.C. Our WiCyS chapter President Emma Maston, Vice President Lezlie Hoffman, and Staff Sponsor Jill English all received scholarships to attend, and in addition, were graciously supported through the McGraw STEM Student Engagement Program! Industry professionals with experience in a variety of fields led numerous presentations, panels, and workshops to give our team insight to practical, realworld applications of the skills they are acquiring at ONU.

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As one might suspect, AI was a significant theme throughout the sessions, meaning that attendees got to explore the topic through the lens of many different fields. Each session was rich in content and offered something new to our team. Their favorite sessions were a presentation titled “AI in the Exam Room: Powering Healthcare While Protecting

In addition to the learning sessions, students networked with 144 recruiters at an impressive Career Fair! Just a few of the many companies represented at the event included Bloomberg, Anthropic, Google, Cisco, MasterCard, and Netflix. Throughout the conference, our attendees personally connected with representatives from those companies and more, as well as so many fellow WiCyS members (both students and professionals) from across the country. Our team had a great experience at the conference and are so very thankful for the grant and support that made it possible. It was an amazing opportunity to grow their knowledge and network. (Plus, they had a lot of fun!) They look forward to using what they learned to pour into the ONU chapter this year and hope to attend again in the future!

MCGRAW STEM STUDENT ENGAGEMENT FUND A generous donation by Michael “Mick” McGraw ’72 created the McGraw STEM Student engagement fund. This endowed program enables faculty to apply for funds to enrich STEM student experiences, with an emphasis on activities outside of the classroom. If you would like to contribute to this fund you can do so through olivet.edu/giving by designating it to the McGraw STEM fund.

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M E E T T H E S T E M F A C U LT Y

ARAM AGAJANIAN

NICHOLAS BOROS

JUSTIN BROWN

CHARLES CARRIGAN

STEPHEN CASE

DANIEL GREEN

WILLA HARPER

DALE HATHAWAY

LUCAS HENDERSON

BRUCE HEYEN

RYAN HIMES

DAVID HOEKMAN

HAMMERSKJOELD (MUNYA) KATONGERA

DANIEL KENDER

PARRY KIETZMAN

SEOK LEW

Professor Department of Engineering

Professor, Department of Chemistry and Earth & Space Science, Director, University Honors Program

Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry and Earth & Space Science

Assistant Professor Department of Computer Science 34

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Professor Department of Mathematics

Chairman and Professor Department of Chemistry and Earth & Space Science

Assistant Professor Department of Computer Science

Chairman and Professor Department of Mathematics

Professor Department of Chemistry and Earth & Space Science

Professor Department of Biological Sciences

Associate Professor Department of Biological Sciences

Professor Department of Chemistry and Earth & Space Science

Associate Dean, School of STEM, Professor, Department of Mathematics

Professor Department of Biological Sciences

Professor Department of Engineering

GREGORY LONG

JEREMY LYLE

SCOTT RAGAN

DARL RASSI

JEFFREY RICE

JOSEPH SCHROEDER

DAN SHARDA

MADELINE SHEPLEY

NICHOLAS TROENDLE

NICOLE VANDER SCHAAF

AGGIE VELD

MICHAEL WADE

JONATHAN WEBER

RYAN YOUNGER

Professor Department of Biological Sciences

Chairman and Professor, Department of Computer Science

Professor Department of Biological Sciences

Associate Professor Department of Engineering

Professor Department of Mathematics

Professor Department of Engineering

Associate Professor Department of Biological Sciences

Chairman and Associate Professor, Department of Engineering

Chairman and Professor Department of Biological Sciences

Professor Department of Biological Sciences

Professor Department of Mathematics

Assistant Professor and Planetarium Director Department of Chemistry and Earth & Space Science

Assistant Professor Department of Engineering

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GET INVOLVED! Want to be part of the exciting things going on at Olivet’s School of STEM? If anything in this report piqued your interest, contact Associate Dean Dale Hathaway to get involved.

ENVELOPE-OPEN-TEXT hathaway@olivet.edu 📞 (815) 939-5314

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