Academics Archives

Visiting Writers: Authors and Friends

Dr. John Somerville, associate professor of English and director of the Visiting Writers Program, summarizes the goal of this program: “The Visiting Writers Program is meant to introduce authors and introduce our campus and students to them.”

Tips for Applying for Chemistry Grad Programs

Do as much research as you can and visit the places you are considering. Start at the top; don’t sell yourself short. Apply to a few “safe” schools, but do check out top-ranking universities.

God, Sophists, and Planetary Motion

Although Kristiana Mork currently plans to double major in Politics and Speech, her first encounter with both subjects in high school debate was less than favorable.

Discovering Hillsdale’s Hidden Gem

From an early age, Lindsey Lewis knew that optometry was her calling in life. “I have horrible eyesight,” she laughs. “I also have an overwhelming desire to help people. And when I realized that my favorite day of the year was going to the optometrist for an eye exam, everything just clicked – I knew that I wanted to be an eye doctor.”

Small School, Big Opportunities

If things had gone according to his plan during his senior year of high school, Frank Bruno might never have even set foot on the Hillsdale College campus. As someone who grew up in an urban environment, Frank had his sights set on large universities in metropolitan areas. It was only at the urging of his dad that Frank applied to Hillsdale.

How I Met the Minister of Magic

When I was little, Friday night pizza and movie parties with my mom, dad, and sister were the highlight of my week. Our favorite series to watch was All Creatures Great and Small—the BBC production of James Herriot’s classic tales of life as a vet in rural England. I never dreamed that I would get to meet my favorite character from the show in real life.

Science Outside Strosacker: Biochemistry, Humanities, and the Real World

Naomi Virnelson, ’16, is not your typical science major. “I was actually interested in Hillsdale College for politics,” Naomi said. By the time she made it to college, however, Naomi found herself in an entirely different discipline: biochemistry. “

Demystifying College Science Labs

Going into college, most students have prior high school lab experience, and every Hillsdale student spends at least one semester in lab-based physics and chemistry, but neither of those examples gives a comprehensive view of what science majors do on a daily basis. Introductory lab courses tend to be “cookbook” science, where the professor hands out a pre-made procedure and the students follow the steps until they arrive at either a correct or incorrect result.

Lasers, Superconducting Magnets, and More: A Selection of Chemical Instrumentation

One of the best aspects of Hillsdale College’s chemistry program is the unparalleled access that students and faculty have to well-equipped lab facilities. Chemistry and biochemistry students regularly get the opportunity to use a wide range of chemical instrumentation. We’ve collected some of the most interesting instruments below – check them out!

Chemistry and Community: Heidi Hendrickson, ’09, On Her Hillsdale Education

During her doctoral studies at the University of Michigan, Heidi also pursued a masters degree in educational studies. It was during one of her education classes that she encountered a misinterpretation of Plato in her readings – and she decided to challenge it.

Out of My Element

As a junior English and French major, I’ve finally summoned the courage to take my core science classes. This semester, I entered Strosacker Science Building for the first time, feeling more than a little intimidated by the thought of balancing equations and wearing lab goggles. Within the first few minutes of my Chemistry 101 class, however, Dr. Hamilton’s kindness and sense of humor put me at my ease.

Science Isn’t for Everyone at First, Even for Your Professor

You came to Hillsdale to be educated in the liberal arts—emphasis on the arts. Yet, students are still required to have some knowledge of the sciences. Don’t like chemistry? Don’t worry—you’re in good company. In fact, you might even end up liking it.