"I've learned to live life with passion and empathy, authenticity and a sense of adventure."
Clayton and Maryann Mathile, Jennifer Mathile
Prikkel ’95, and President Carol Ann Mooney at the
gift announcement.
A standing room only crowd attending the "Celebration of the Education of Women in Science" on Saturday, March 26, was brought to its feet when President Carol Ann Mooney '72 shared the news that philanthropists MaryAnn and Clayton Mathile, parents of Jennifer Mathile Prikkel '95 and founders of the Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition, donated $9 million dollars to Saint Mary’s for the renovation of the Science Hall. Prikkel, who is a member of the College's Board of Trustees, donated an additional $1 million to the project.
The College's excellence and commitment to the education of women in the sciences was evident during the daylong event which showcased student research and featured a panel of successful young science alumnae who talked about their post-graduate endeavors. Members of the Mathile and Prikkel families were on campus for the event and the announcement.
Senior Liz Bajema, a double chemistry and religious studies major from Grand Rapids, MI, who was interviewed by the local media earlier last week about her senior comprehensive project and research, had an opportunity to present her research to the Mathiles and Prikkel. Bajema developed a paper analytic device (PAD) to detect counterfeit anti-malaria drugs which can be used in developing countries. Bajema, who went to Africa last summer and this spring to work on her research, cited the importance of detecting counterfeit drugs given the expense of these drugs and the potential fake drugs, which could even lead to fatalities.
Meghann Mouratides '12, Amelia McGannon '11, and
Liz Bajema '11 in front of their poster.Clay Mathile had heard about the research done by Bajema and fellow students Amelia McGannon '11 and Meghann Mouratides '12 and was interested in the project because of its humanitarian goal. Said Bajema, "Clay Mathile was very supportive of our project and encouraged us to stay in contact with him. He said we should take it to the next step and develop a business plan."
Encouraging women to study the sciences and enter the fields related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is one way for the U.S. to regain global leadership in science and technology. In her remarks and in a published perspective, President Mooney cited the fact that countries such as Estonia and Slovenia now lead the U.S. in the awarding of degrees related to science and technology. The Mathiles expressed confidence that Saint Mary's will use the gift to continue to prepare young women in the sciences and to attract the best academic leaders. Saint Mary's College has been educating women in the sciences since the time of the Civil War.
With the gift, the Science Hall, which supports Chemistry, Biology, and Nursing majors, will be modernized to create learning and study spaces that encourage cross discipline collaboration. Labs will be refurbished and expanded, and updated equipment and technology will be purchased.
When Bajema heard about the gift, she was excited and thankful for the generosity of the Mathiles and Prikkel. Sharing her reaction, Bajema said, "As a senior, I won't experience the results of this gift, but, I am very excited about what this means for Saint Mary’s. The sciences are such a rapidly changing field it’s easy to fall behind. We have an outstanding program, and we are selling ourselves short if we are limited by our facilities." The generosity of the Mathiles and Prikkel, and their belief in Saint Mary's assures a bright future for the sciences at Saint Mary's.
More about the Education of Women in Science event and the Mathile/Prikkel gift can be found at:
http://www.saintmarys.edu/women-in-science The site includes information on senior comprehensives, young alumnae biographies, and media interviews of students about their research.