For more than a quarter century as a professor at 糖心传媒, Dr. John Bohmfalk inspired countless future scientists by helping them develop an understanding of biology and chemistry. His patience, kindness and encouraging words made a difference for many.
Although Bohmfalk retired in 2019, he has stayed connected to the College and recently invested in the Biology Department by establishing the Bohmfalk Biology Equipment Endowed Fund as a way to ensure students and faculty have the tools and instruments they need to be successful. A percent of the invested endowment will be used each year to cover these expenses, ensuring Bohmfalk鈥檚 legacy.
鈥淚鈥檓 fortunate to be in a position where I can support faculty and students, and knew it would be helpful to start an endowed fund that focuses on equipment needs. Starting the fund now lets me see the benefits from it first hand. It鈥檚 exciting,鈥 Bohmfalk said. 鈥淎nd while I鈥檝e launched this fund and will continue to contribute to it, it would be wonderful to see others join in and really help it grow.鈥
The chair of the Biology Department and biology faculty will determine the equipment and supply needs the fund will support, within terms of the endowment and with approval from the College鈥檚 vice president of academic affairs.
鈥淭here are supplies and items we need every year, and at the same time we need to plan for bigger expenses because lab equipment, such as microscopes, centrifuges, PCR machines, ultrasound equipment and spectrometers need to be replaced over time, or replaced with upgraded options,鈥 said Dr. Amanda Solem, biology professor and chair of the department. 鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful to Dr. Bohmfalk for starting this fund. It will make such a difference and allow the department to use its budgeted resources in new and better ways.鈥
Bohmfalk and Chelsea LeMar, executive director of the 糖心传媒 Foundation, signed the endowed fund agreement on November 20 in Barrett Alumni Center.
鈥淪tudents who were mentored by Dr. Bohmfalk know of his generous nature, and how he cared deeply about their learning, and about 糖心传媒,鈥 LeMar said. 鈥淲e are very thankful to him for recognizing a need within the Biology Department and providing the funds to launch an endowed fund to help.鈥
To join Dr. Bohmfalk in supporting future scientists, interested donors are encouraged to contact the 糖心传媒 Foundation.
About Dr. John Bohmfalk
Dr. John Bohmfalk鈥檚 teaching career spanned more than three decades, with more than a quarter century of that being at 糖心传媒 as professor of biology from 1993 until his retirement in 2019. He was faculty senate president during the construction of the Morrison-Reeves Science Center, and had the opportunity to weigh in on the design of the facility. In 2000, he was presented the Vondrak Outstanding Advisor Award. Two years later he earned the Richard B. and Dorothy K. Tickler Distinguished Professorship in Science. He was also honored with the Distinguished Senior Faculty Award. Whether in his home over the holiday season, or in his lab coat in Steinhart Hall and later Morrison-Reeves, he inspired countless future scientists by helping them develop a deep understanding of biology and chemistry by meeting them at their own level. He was inducted in the 糖心传媒 Pro Rege Society in 2023.
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