12/04/2025
Philanthropy Stories -- an anonymous, proud alumnus of Eastern Mennonite University STEM programs ("I spent many hours in the labs back in the day") has generously made a $50,000 pledge this week ($10K/year for next five years) to improve laboratory equipment for the immediate benefit of our outstanding science students and their professors! We are so grateful.
Speak with Kirk Shisler '81 in Advancement ([email protected]) if you'd find it meaningful to join this alumnus and make an immediate impact for today's science students! Below is the list of high-impact equipment needs as described by our faculty:
Immediate Need, High Impact
For about $100k all together (or $170K with a new High Performance Liquid Chromatography machine), the set of instruments below would make a transformative impact on EMU’s lab spaces. According to Dr. Jim Yoder, program director for the Natural Sciences, “This set of instruments would make an AMAZING improvement to our labs”.
VIS-UV spectrophotometer ($15K) This piece of equipment measures how much light a substance absorbs in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. In the lab, students and faculty researchers can use this machine for many applications, such as learning how to measure sample concentrations in general chemistry, measuring enzyme activity, and determining DNA or protein concentrations in samples.
Laminar Flow Hood (for cell culture) ($10K) and CO2 Incubator (for cell culture) ($5K): These pieces of equipment would support our students’ work with cell cultures. The Laminar flow hood keeps cell culture workspaces sterile and the CO2 Incubator (for cell culture) is used to grow and maintain cells under carefully controlled conditions.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) ($100K new, $35K used): A HPLC would be an amazing piece of equipment for our students and faculty. It is used to separate, identify, and quantify components in a sample. It’s a cornerstone method in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental science labs.
Upgrades to Vernier field and lab chemistry probes ($10k): These sensors would allow students and faculty researchers to collect real-time scientific data in chemistry and environmental science studies both in the lab and out in the field. They link to computers, tablets, and data loggers to help researchers stay on top of data. Students would like the instant data collection, real-time graphing, and portability of probes like these. Vernier produces high-quality sensors that are robust enough for field work yet relatively inexpensive. Vernier’s software package allows you to collect data in real time and display it on the classroom screen. Then you can easily manipulate the data, allowing demonstration opportunities in lecture and laboratory classrooms. As much of this equipment can be used broadly for courses in chemistry, biology, and environmental science, they will be heavily used by our students.
Renovation of a laboratory space to BSL-2 level ($10k): EMU faculty and students could conduct meaningful research and classroom learning experiences with expanded access to Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) lab space. Biosafety levels for labs range from BSL-1 (lowest risk) to BSL-4 (highest risk). BSL-2 research would bring moderate risk and requires special hoods, filters, and storage for materials to provide appropriate containment of biological agents used for the research. For around $10,000, SSC 47a could be renovated as a BSL-2 lab space. We would be open to considering naming spaces renovated with funds from specific donors.
