Bennett College for Women News February 2013 Bennett Professor Acquires $87,565 Grant to Enhance STEM Courses Dr. Willietta Gibson, assistant professor of biology, recently acquired an $87,565.00 grant to enhance biotechnology, cell biology and genetics courses at Bennett College. Granted by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, this award will be used to update the labs with DNA analysis equipment, provide developmental workshops for faculty in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and will afford opportunities for students to work as biological lab assistants. Senior Associate Provost Dr. Joyce Blackwell shared her enthusiasm for Dr. Gibson's accomplishment and for her contributions to the College's STEM division. "[She] is a pioneer in scientific research and continues to explore new ground, which ultimately provides many opportunities for the young women that we serve. What a difference we can and will continue to make at Bennett. [Dr. Gibson is] positioning us to be major participants in the discourse regarding genetics and computational science," Blackwell said. For the biology professor, this grant was an opportunity to make learning fun and intriguing for current and potential STEM majors. "I felt compelled to apply for this grant because it will provide our students with up-to-date laboratory materials and equipment that will enhance the STEM curriculum and increase the interest and retention of underrepresented minority females in STEM," Gibson said. The grant proposal was entitled Biotechnology, Cell Biology and Genetics Courses at Bennett College. The funding period began January 2013 and will run until December 31, 2013. The NC Biotechnology Center is the oldest new-tech organization of its kind in the world. Their mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina through support of biotechnology, research, business, education and strategic policy statewide. Today, North Carolina is among the top three states in bioscience employment, and its biotech base is one of the fastest growing among the major biotech regions. For more information, visit www.ncbiotech.org. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.