My vision of my teaching career has always been to inspire, excite, and challenge my students. This vision became my philosophy of education at the University of St. Francis. The driving force behind this philosophy is the belief that compassion for and genuine interest in the students, coupled with inner creative impulses greatly enhance the educational arena where knowledge is disseminated.

The past twenty four years at USF have been marked with many challenges both at the departmental and institutional levels. At the departmental level, the challenges ranged from strengthening the chemistry program at the University of St. Francis as a support service to the biological, environmental, and allied health programs to its development as a viable minor. Other ongoing challenges include the modernization of laboratory instruments, development of new courses, interdisciplinary team teaching, development of instructional materials; computer assisted instructions and workbooks, development of AV material for laboratory techniques, and pedagogical and technological innovations.

At the institutional level, the challenges ranged from the development of science courses for the general education program to the formulation and development of the Freshmen Core program, particularly Core II.

During the past twenty nine years of my career I have taught a broad range of courses which included: Technical Math, Principles of Chemistry, Principles of Physics and Chemistry, General Chemistry, Introduction to Physical Science, Chemistry and the Environment, Organic Chemistry, Principles of Organic Chemistry, Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, Intro. To Organic and Biochemistry, Philosophy of Science (interdisciplinary team teaching), Analytical Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry, and Freshmen Core II.

I have a broad range of research interests ranging from applied spectroscopy, isolation and synthesis of natural products to probing into the area of chemical education and pedagogy especially in conceptual learning and teaching. Consequently, I have published two papers in the area of chemical education, a manual for teachers on environmental education and awareness, and a test bank to accompany an organic chemistry text. In addition, I serve as educational consultant to area schools and faculty. I do maintain a delicate balance between teaching and research, a balance crucial to the progress of our students.

I have served in the following professional leadership roles: Lecturer for the Speakers Bureau for the Union of Concerned Scientists on environmental issues, Coordinator of the Chemistry Program at USF, the Chairperson of the American Chemical Society (ACS)- Joliet section, Chairperson of the Associated Colleges of Chicago Area (ACCA), Chairperson of Faculty Development at CSF, Coordinator of Faculty Colloquium Series at CSF, and Chairperson of the Excellence in Teaching Award and Campus Leadership Committee. I have also served on a number of committees at USF including: Faculty Affairs Committee, Academic Affairs Committee, Special Admissions Committee, and Diversity Committee and many others.

In 1988, I received the Excellence in Teaching Award and Campus Leadership from the University of St. Francis, sponsored by the Sears-Roebuck Foundation and the Associated Colleges of Chicago and in 1993 I received the American Chemical Society (ACS) Outstanding Performance Award as chairperson of the Joliet Section in the medium and small category. In 1996, and for the second time, I received the Excellence in Teaching Award and Campus Leadership from the University of St. Francis.

In summary, many challenges still lie ahead. My commitment to teaching and scholarship is stronger and more passionate today than ever before. Thus, I am constantly seeking new challenges in my field, for I believe that excellence is a way of life and not only a temporary task at hand.