 James W. Barr, MS Chemistry Instructor in Chemistry Associates Science Center Telephone - (731) 983-3048 Office - ASC 128 |
In the spring of 1996, as I was preparing to graduate from high school, my dad and I traveled to a small school in Tennessee - Freed-Hardeman University (FHU). After visiting my dad's ala-mater we returned home to Marietta, Ohio, and I found myself with the decision to choose a college to attend in the fall. Many of my friends were planning on attending The Ohio State University (OSU) in Columbus, Ohio, and I figured I would do the same. As I iterated my ideas to my parents they responded with the following deal: "You can go to any college you like, but if you go to Freed-Hardeman we will pay the tuition. If you go to OSU, you can pay." Upon hearing the ultimatum, I decided to attend FHU. I entered FHU as a second semester sophomore because I had taken classes in college while I was still in high school and CLEPed eight hours of biology. I also had two years of chemistry under my belt, and declared myself a chemistry major when I arrived at FHU. In retrospect, always 20x20, I came to FHU with quite a large chip on my shoulder figuring I would breeze through the little University. In one of my first classes, General Chemistry I with Dr. Eugene Hibbett, I earned an A - but only a B in General Chemistry II the following semester. Before registering for the following fall semester I met with Dr. Hibbett for schedule advisement. While I was in his office he asked me why I had gotten a B in the second semester. He knew I had taken General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry in high school and knew that I should have done well in his class...but I had not. I responded by saying "I just didn't try." Dr. Hibbett looked at me with great disappointment and scolded me for my slothfulness. I think it was that moment that caused me to reflect and decide that I would always "try" in school. It was also the first time I was shown the character of those at FHU - they care. As I progressed through classes I came to a time when I had to take Organic Chemistry II (with lab), Biochemistry II, Physical Chemistry II (with lab), Physics for Science and Engineering II (with lab), Calculus III and Acts of the Apostles during the same semester. To take these classes in the same semester I had to receive special permission from my adviser and the Dean of the Science department (Dr. Allen Walker). I had to beg and plead, but the school allowed me to schedule the ridiculous 22 hours consisting of classes that were prerequisites for each other. Needless to say that during the first Calculus class Dr. Allen Walker assigned enough homework to crush the mightiest of math majors taking 22 hours...and so I had to drop the class after the first day. Talk about humiliating... Students, do not take 22 hours! While I was attending FHU I came to know a girl who was a fellow Psi-Mu'er - Regina Chupp. This girl was quite entertaining. She seemed to have a passion for singing, seat-dancing, sports, shouting, and long conversations on the telephone. She and I were friends for some time - took many trips to Jackson to enjoy cheese fries at Outback and take in a show at the movie theater. She often followed me to class (Analytical Chemistry) and even made me dinner for Sadie Hawkins day - at which time I was 'kidnapped' and assumed dead until my shirt was found covered in red paint. As we continued to spend time together the rumor mill at FHU was generous to generate speculative notions concerning our relationship. I suppose our stunt of a fake 'candle-lighting' did not help things - except make many people upset (including Regina's sister Beth) - but it was quite fun. In the end, I graduated without any solid commitment...or ring. That summer, after graduation, Regina met my parents and me at Myrtle Beach. We walked a lot during that vacation. We walked along the beach, in the rain... We walked out onto a pier at night - which was rather creepy due to the length of the pier, the darkness of the evening, and the lapping of the waves. Still, it was enjoyable because I was able to be with Regina. After the vacation, before I went to graduate school, my dad asked about Regina and I and stated the obvious - either we were going to get married or break-up. I suppose it was then that I realized that I could not imagine my life without her and proposed to her over Thanksgiving Break when I returned to FHU from the land out West. She then had a real 'candle-lighting' - no tricks that time... Regina and I got married that following summer in Atlanta, GA. I drove from Reno, NV to Atlanta in 4 days and we returned to Reno two weeks later after getting married and driving back together. She has a plethora of stories concerning our return trip - so ask her for the details. I now understand that a picture of something should be done by stopping the car and getting out instead of merely driving by, rolling down the window and taking a snap-shot. I am ever grateful to God that I found Regina. She means the world to me...and she is my best friend. So maybe you are wondering how I got out to Nevada from the tiny town of Henderson... Well, prior to graduation I was planning on going to pharmacy school to do pharmaceutical research - I wanted to create new drugs that would help mankind. During Christmas break, while I was at home with my parents, I was looking at graduate programs and stumbled upon the University of Nevada, Reno. The specific program was one in Chemical Physics. I had always had a fascination with quantum physics from my days in high school - had read many books on relativity, string theory, etc., and thought that a program that merged the realms of chemistry and physics would be quite keen. I visited UNR, mainly for a vacation of my own from FHU (I was planning on attending a much bigger and prestigious university) but found that they had ideas for some amazing research in nanotechnology (I read books on that too...). I found myself with a dilemma as I looked at the larger schools, and the money they were willing to throw at me, and then looked at the research possibilities at UNR. My adviser, Dr. Jerry Thornthwaite, asked me about my trip to the various schools and I told him of my plight. Dr. Thornthwaite's advice was outstanding; he said "Don't do me-too research." I was rather unsure what this was, and so I asked for some elaboration... He said that "me-too" research is research so and so is doing and 'Me too.' He said to do research on something that no one else is working on - that's how you make a name for yourself. With that, and much thought and prayer, I decided to travel to the Nevada desert for graduate school. I graduated in May of 1999 with a major in Chemistry and minor in Mathematics (Regina was not to graduate until 2000). I then moved out to Reno, Nevada for graduate school. During my time there I was fortunate to be part of Dr. Cline's research group where we investigated chemical dynamics (see the research section for more details). I was able to work with the Department of Energy (DOE) at the Combustion Research Facility, a part of Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California. This collaboration yielded research that was published in Science Magazine. Other papers were also written and life was good. I also worked on a project to create and test a light-driven molecular motor, that is, a molecule that would be powered by light energy. This was also fruitful but the project was not completed before I left the University of Nevada, Reno. Things did not go according to plan, and I left with a Master's in Chemistry. After getting my degree I became the full time minister at the North Virginia Street church of Christ in Reno where I worked for six months. During my time preaching an elder's wife approached my wife Regina and brought to her attention a faculty position at FHU in the science department. As God would have it, I am now on the faculty at FHU. Doors will close while others will open... I am now in the shoes of brother Hibbett who made me feel ashamed for "not trying" in his class. It is now my responsibility to teach, to encourage and to be an example to the same students I was once a part. I am sure that every student who attends FHU has a similar story, how a professor or professors influenced their life for the better. Mine is really no different. A small amount of concern made a difference and I am now on the other side of the desk... The challenge is great, and somewhat daunting, but I am ready to "try." Thank you FHU. - Jim (Oct. 12, 2006) |
