2025 REPORT
SCHOOL
OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS
INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
“ At IWU, engaging in STEM learning, research, and co-curricular experiences is not simply an academic exercise. It is an act of faith, a response to the Creator who calls us to seek truth, cultivate wisdom, and steward His world with excellence.”
MATTHEW KREITZER, PH.D. Professor of Biology and Dean of the School of STEM
Our vision for IWU Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) is to cultivate a thriving community where students and faculty connect through high-impact curricular and co-curricular experiences.
The School of STEM brings together programs in engineering, pre-medicine, biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, computer science, and mathematics—offering a rich array of opportunities for undergraduate students pursuing STEM. This breadth, combined with small class sizes and faculty deeply committed to both student success and the integrations of faith and science, creates a dynamic and distinctive environment for Christian STEM learners.
Dr. David Che, Professor and Chair of Engineering
IWU Engineering is thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone: graduating its first cohort of students in Spring 2025! The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree program continues to grow, attracting a rising number of students pursuing specializations in Computer, Civil, Design, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering.
From the beginning, the program has been blessed with strong support from both the university and external partners. IWU invested in a major renovation to create 15,000 square feet of dedicated engineering space, now known as Don Wood Foundation Hall. Further momentum came through a $1.5 million grant from the Don Wood Foundation, enabling the purchase of state-of-theart equipment to train future engineers— positioning IWU as an emerging leader in Christian engineering education.
This year we have welcomed 85 students, including nearly 40 new engineering majors. We’re also expanding: two new faculty members have joined the program, and Phase II of the Don Wood Foundation Hall is near completion—adding nearly 8,000 additional square feet of laboratory and instructional space, as well as expanded faculty offices.
This is an exciting time to be part of IWU Engineering. God is at work, using this program to prepare the next generation of Christian engineers to lead and serve with excellence. Come see what makes IWU Engineering unique!
1. Launched a new Computational Science Suite designed to support collaborative experiences across STEM disciplines.
2. Celebrated the 15th Hodson Research Institute (HRI) Summer Experience, with 15 student researchers.
3. Rapid program growth accelerated renovations to the Don Wood Foundation Hall, expanding instructional and lab space to meet the rising demand in engineering.
4. Dr. Joshua Nwokeji joined IWU as the inaugural Clapp Chair of Computer Science, bringing visionary leadership to an exciting program.
5. IWU Engineering graduated its first class in Spring 2025—a major milestone for IWU!
A Method for Interspecific Grafting between Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum) by Professor Jacob Buck, Allie Copenhaver, Lauren Speicher, and Sydney Stott
Investigation of Cellular Histatin-1 Effects by Dr. Dan Jones, Lauren Rex, and Alexis Thompson
Production and purification of HIV virus-like particles (VLP) and analysis of the biochemical requirements for Nef-dependent packaging of Hck into HIV virons by Dr. Jolie Leonard, Chloe Householter, Amani Johnson, and Ella Gearhart
Developing inhibitors of the protein tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 by Dr. Stephen Leonard, Sophia Bourke, and Carter Miller
Impact of Increased Pollinator Habitat on Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) & Pepper (Capsicum annum) Yield in Urban Community Garden by Dr. Jennifer Noseworthy & Corina Bir
Development of a multi-probe water analysis system by Dr. Steven Tripp & Kaden Burns
Benjamin Linger, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Hodson Research Institute Program Director
At Indiana Wesleyan University, students don’t just study science—they practice it. Through the Hodson Research Institute (HRI), undergraduates spend their summers in fulltime, hands-on research with faculty mentors.
Founded in 2011, HRI gives undergraduates opportunities usually reserved for graduate students—sharpening critical thinking, deepening scientific understanding, and even co-authoring peer-reviewed publications.
Hodson alumni leave IWU prepared for medical school, Ph.D. programs, and research careers— confident, experienced, and Christ-centered leaders ready to change the world. .
Other IWU Faculty-mentored STEM
Undergraduate Projects Funded by the USDA and NSF
Utilizing Pollinator Gardens to Improve Native Bee Populations within Urban Community Gardens (USDA funded) by Dr. Jennifer Noseworthy, Becca Boyd (IWU), Landrie Hirz (Oregon State University), Claire Kratz (Iowa State University), Lydia Paulsen (Colorado State University), Natalie Staritz (Taylor University) & Callie Swegman (Hanover College)
Dr. Warren Rogers, Professor and Blanchard Chair of Physics
In 2024, Indiana Wesleyan University joined the Modular Neutron Array (MoNA) Collaboration in receiving a $3.7 million National Science Foundation grant to build its most advanced neutron detector at Michigan State University. This project will deepen understanding of atomic structure and the universe.
Warren Rogers, IWU’s Blanchard Chair of Physics, has devoted his career to studying the nucleus and mentoring undergraduates. IWU students have helped build major detector arrays—MoNA and LISA—making the university a key partner in international collaborations at Michigan State’s Facility for Rare Isotopes. Rogers also connects students with research opportunities at Los Alamos National Laboratory, expanding their experience beyond the classroom.
“ Doing this research helped me realize that any student is capable of pursing something as daunting as a Ph.D. Working with professors here has made me appreciate their mentorship and inspired me to pursue a career in research.”
OLIVIA LUCAS IWU 2026 graduate
Exploration of Exotic Neutron-Rich Atomic Nuclei Using Accelerator Production and Fast Neutron Detection (NSF funded) by Dr. Warren Rogers
Hands-on projects often shape careers. Olivia Lucas, for example, worked with Rogers to design a prototype detector tile, soldering more than 200 components with precision. “Even the smallest error could affect the detector’s performance,” Lucas said. Her work offered a glimpse into the life of a scientist and confirmed her research path. By combining rigorous research with mentorship, Rogers empowers students to see themselves as scientists. IWU’s contributions show that undergraduate-focused institutions can drive major discoveries in nuclear physics while preparing students to lead in science and engineering.
Matthew Kreitzer, PhD, Dean
Biology
Jacob Buck, MS
Stephen Conrad, PhD
Dan Jones, DDS, PhD
Jolie Leonard, PhD
Jennifer Noseworthy, PhD, Division Chair
Matthew Sattley, PhD
Tara Renbarger, PhD
Chemistry
Eric Kern, MS
Nathaniel Kitzmiller, PhD
Stephen Leonard, PhD
Benjamin Linger, PhD
Steven Tripp, PhD
Physics
Scott McCullough, PhD
Warren Rogers, PhD
Computer
Information
Sciences
Kenny Ayano, PhD
Joshua Nwokeji, PhD
Engineering
David Che, PhD
Vincente Mercado, PhD
Chris Williams, PhD
David Winyard, PhD
Yang Zhao, PhD
Mathematics
Daniel Kiteck, PhD
Robert Mallison, PhD
Melvin Royer, PhD
Rebecca Wakeman, EdD
A path to a career in health care
IWU prepares students for medical, dental, veterinary, and other health care programs through academic coursework, faculty mentoring, and hands-on experiences.
Biology
Environmental Science
Medical Technology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Computer Information Systems
Computer Science
Data Science
Mathematics
IWU’s pre-med graduates continue to build a strong legacy of success in medical school. Three recent alumni were recognized with top honors at Indiana University School of Medicine for their outstanding performance and leadership
Daniel Wilmot (IWU ’23) received the 2025 Preclinical Medical Student Leadership Award.
Alex Cartwright (IWU ’23) was honored with the 2025 Second-Year Medical Student Peer Recognition Award.
Leah Stallkamp (IWU ’24) was named the 2025 Outstanding First-Year Medical Student.
Specializations
Pre-medicine
Mathematics
Interdisciplinary
Physics
Engineering
Civil
Computer
Design
Electrical
Mechanical
Mathematics Education
Pre-dentistry
Pre-optometry
Pre-veterinary medicine
Pre-physician assistant
Pre-physical therapy
Pre-occupational therapy
Pre-pharmacy
And more…
Congratulations to these remarkable alumni as they continue to thrive in their calling, and heartfelt gratitude to the faculty, mentors, and supporters—at IWU and beyond—who have invested in their journeys.
