Commun ty Matters Emporia Presbyterian Manor
Meet Atul Karki, director of dining
One of Presbyterian Manor’s newest staff members is Atul Karki, director of dining services. Atul joined us in June after completing his Atul Karki MBA. Before leaving the workforce to focus on his studies 2013, Atul worked for Morrison Senior Living in Houston, Texas. “Four months ago, I had never heard of Emporia,” said Atul. “I don’t like big cities and I hate traffic. I prefer small towns; they’re laid back. When I got the call for the job, I saw the potential to progress as a team, as a department. I like to visit new places. New place, new people, new work. This makes me excited!” Atul is originally from Nepal. He grew up in Singapore where he got his education. After high school, he came to the United States – about 10 years ago. He earned his undergraduate degree in hotel and restaurant management and worked in a number of hotels and restaurants. What excites Atul about working at Emporia Presbyterian Manor? “I like the people here, especially Susan. She’s open-minded and she always wants to do some changes. I don’t like the same old stuff. I want to do some changes, which will be better for the residents.”
August 2015
Traveling the world led to monumental discovery for resident John Peterson, PhD Not everyone has the chance to become the “world’s authority” for something in their lifetime, but biologist and Emporia Presbyterian Manor resident John Peterson earned that title while working on a thesis for his doctorate degree. With a bachelor of education degree from Northern Illinois Teachers College, John’s teaching career started at Jackson Junior College in Jackson, Mich. His subjects covered everything from botany to chemistry and zoology. He even had time to serve as the head coach of the basketball and baseball teams, and led the basketball team to a national tournament.
John Peterson, PhD
After four years, John left to pursue his master’s and doctorate degrees from Michigan State. He then went to the University of Missouri to teach mycology, plant pathology and general biology. During his first year at MU, John conducted research in an effort to finish his thesis. This research led to the discovery of a bacterium that was in North America for the very first time.
Merle Peterson
“It was called ‘Sorangium cellulosom’ – it was the first time it had been found in North America. A couple had found it in Poland before but not here. It seemed to be the sort of thing that makes antibiotics,” he said. After his discovery, John received a grant from a pharmaceutical company to continue his research and was asked to speak at many engagements. “My teaching was extremely fascinating, too,” said John. “I loved to teach and get to know the students and have an effect on them.” PETERSON, continued on page 2