Campus News
New Microscope Imaging
Assistant Professor of Physics Nathan Lindquist was awarded a $252,393 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for his project, “Super-resolution plasmon-enhanced imaging and spectroscopy with patterned metallic surfaces and dynamic illumination.” Lundquist explains: “We want our microscope to take chemical images so we can identify what something is made of, not just what it ‘looks like.’ There are several ways to do this, but we are mostly interested in taking chemical images of surfaces, like cell membranes.” In graduate school at the University of Minnesota, Lindquist studied the peculiar form of light waves that allows precise imaging of surfaces. These light waves, called plasmons, are stuck to surfaces. “To get these plasmons,” he explains, “the surfaces have to be nanothin or decorated with nano patterns. Since we can make these nano-surfaces here at Bethel, thanks to some new equipment, we will also be using this grant to explore better and cheaper ways for nanofabrication.” Bethel’s new “NanoLab” and cleanroom give students a contamination-free environment to work with the tiny nano devices. It’s unusual for undergraduate students to have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research in the field of nanotechnology and imaging. But at Bethel, says Lindquist, undergraduates have been integral to the development of this program, and the grant will specifically fund undergraduate nano research projects for the next three years. Visit cas.bethel.edu/academics/ departments/physics/research for more information about Bethel’s physics research programs or the NanoLab.
Reconcilers. (L to r) Professor of Reconciliation Studies Curtiss DeYoung joined Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and South African cleric and activist Allan Aubrey Boesak at the dedication of The Desmond Tutu Center in Indianapolis. The center is a partnership of Butler University and Christian Theological Seminary and is North America’s only academic center named for the archbishop. Its mission is to honor Tutu’s legacy of justice and reconciliation, and its efforts will focus on leadership development in social justice and reconciliation, international relationships, and interreligious and community bridge-building. DeYoung attended the dedication as a representative of Bethel’s Reconciliation Studies program. “[The center] is like a dream come true for those of us who have committed our lives to social justice and reconciliation,” he says.
King Child Welcome Center Development Dedicated Center Receives Major Grant In September, Bethel University’s King Family Foundation Child Development Center (King CDC) received a $75,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to enhance early learning services for participating children and families. The funding will increase services and staff capacity to support the growing needs of Minnesota children and families as they work toward kindergarten readiness. King CDC Program Director Talaya Tolefree says the center is honored to be a recipient of the MDE grant award. “Our children and families will greatly benefit from having the consistency in services that this grant will provide,” she explains.
The Roberta Mann Benson Welcome Center was recently dedicated, honoring the support of longtime Bethel friends Don and Roberta Benson. The Welcome Center provides an attractive, friendly, and functional space that enhances the welcome experience of prospective students and their families—and the entire Bethel community. “The Benson name is a familiar one at Bethel,” says President Jay Barnes. “The Benson Great Hall is among our most important spaces to welcome people for worship, celebrations, and the arts. It is fitting that the Roberta Mann Benson Welcome Center shares the lobby of the Lundquist Community Life Center with the Donald E. Benson Great Hall. Don and Roberta in their gracious and generous ways have helped connect community friends and potential students to Bethel.”
Bethel University
7