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FRANK BUSH ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT
AWARDED NATIONA Coker biology professor Dr. Joseph Flaherty is a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious award for junior faculty members, the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) grant. The $502,000 grant will enhance the College’s biology program by supporting Flaherty’s student-centered research on the genetics of fungal diseases that cause tremendous damage to agricultural crops worldwide. Flaherty, assistant professor of biology and chair of Coker’s department of science and mathematics, will receive the CAREER grant over a period of five years. By awarding him the grant, the National Science Foundation is recognizing Flaherty as one of the country’s foremost teacher-scholars who combines education and research into their programs. “This award is acknowledging Joe’s exceptional capabilities as a teacher and researcher and, just as importantly at Coker College, his commitment to mentoring students,” said Dr. Patricia Lincoln, provost and dean of the faculty. Since joining the Coker College faculty in 2005, Flaherty’s goal has been to develop a research program that is built on student participation. Several of Flaherty’s recent students have already continued their studies at distinguished graduate schools, including the University of Georgia, the Medical University of South Carolina, North Carolina State University, and The Ohio State University. “Research is a key component of the educational experience for undergraduate students majoring in the sciences,” said Flaherty, who holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University. “It builds a foundation for lifelong success, including graduate school and career.”
Volume 37, Number 4 w w w.coker.edu
The Commentary of Coker College is published four times a year in the fall, winter, spring and summer by the Coker College Office of Marketing & Communications. 843.383.8018 Periodicals postage paid at West Columbia, SC 29272 USPS Pub. No. 599-590 POSTMASTER: Forward and send address changes to: COKER COLLEGE Office of Marketing & Communications 300 East College Avenue Hartsville, SC 29550-3797
>> J ames Jolly Director of Marketing and Communications jjolly@coker.edu >> K yle Saverance ’0 6 Web Developer and Publications Manager ksaverance@coker.edu >> C hristian S try ker ’0 4 Sports Information Director cstryker@coker.edu >> C ontributors: Henna Koponen ’10 Jessica Welch ’10 Norah Wofford ‘11
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