Maria Witmer-Rich ’96: Watercolor art is chemist’s counterpoint
Maria Witmer-Rich '96 connects art and science and is equally at home in the chemistry lab as she is in the painting studio.
Chemistry Major & Minor
About
When applying for jobs and graduate programs, experience is key. At Goshen College, you will get hands-on experience in small classes with top-notch faculty in a faith-based learning environment. Even in your first semester at GC you’ll have access to scientific instrumentation that at large universities is normally restricted to upper-level or graduate students.
If you study chemistry at GC, you’ll be among students who score, on average, in the 75th percentile nationally on the standardized exit exam. About 90 percent of pre-med graduates are accepted into medical schools, which is twice the national acceptance rate. Likewise, 80 percent of chemistry and biochemistry graduates are accepted into graduate school programs, far above the national average.
In the Goshen College chemistry program, we’ll take your natural curiosity and supply you with the skills you’ll need to be successful in industry, medical school, graduate school, and beyond.
News & Events
Goshen alumni contribute to Pfizer vaccine efforts
Two 1984 Goshen College alumni – Dr. Robert Lerch and Mark Wittrig – played important roles in the development of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19.
Meet Philip DeShield ’09, veterinary surgeon in Belize
Philip DeShield ’09 a veterinarian in Belize, has used his skills all over the world, including marine conservation medicine in Mexico, manatee field research and collaring and tracking jaguars.
Stats
92%
of GC pre-med graduates are accepted into medical school (twice the national rate)
Top 25%
GC chemistry seniors score in the top 25 percentile on the national Major Field Test in Chemistry
#2
Ranking in the percentage of graduates going on to earn doctorates among all Indiana institutions
Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.
Students & Alumni
Professor of Chemistry
Dan Smith
Dan Smith decided to teach chemistry at Goshen College because he wanted to work with students on an individual basis and be able to share his faith in God with them.
Dan's story
Research Fellow in Drug Discovery
Dale Kempf '78
Dale discovered and developed new drugs for HIV and hepatitis C virus therapy. Currently he directs a program at AbbVie for the discovery of new drugs for neglected tropical diseases, tuberculosis and malaria.
Dale's story
University Professor
Rushika Perera '95
Rushika works at Colorado State University researching how dengue virus interacts with its human host and mosquito vector to replicate and spread.
Rushika's story
Chemistry and Biology Double Major
Sara Lerch '12
Sarah Lerch, a 2012 graduate from Spring Valley, New York, studied chemistry and biology. While at Goshen College, she had the opportunity to study alongside graduate students and professors in lab settings.
Sara's story
Professor of Chemistry
Doug Schirch
Doug Schirch is not only passionate about chemistry: he has also led Study-Service Term in Nicaragua and serves as an adviser to the Social Reform and Pax clubs.
Doug's story
Physics and Chemistry Double Major
Ulises Martinez '04
Ulises Martinez, a 2004 chemistry and physics graduate, developed a clean energy catalyst that powers carbon-neutral vehicles.
Ulises' story
