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Monmouth College chemistry professor Laura Moore honored for distinguishing teaching

by Barry McNamara

Monmouth, Ill. (10/12/2021) — A Monmouth College professor who shines not only in the classroom but also in the work she does mentoring her students has been named this year's recipient of the College's prestigious Hatch Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Chemistry professor Laura Moore, who has been on Monmouth's faculty since 2006, will receive the honor at the College's Alumni Impact Awards ceremony during Homecoming weekend, Oct. 22-24.

Moore came to Monmouth after completing doctoral work at Stanford University. She did her undergraduate work at Carleton College in Minnesota, which, like Monmouth, is a member of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest.

In just her second year on the faculty, the biophysical chemist was named chair of the College's chemistry department. In that role, she's been instrumental in reviving, and then maintaining, the College's American Chemical Society accreditation.

Each summer, Moore supervises a team of students as part of the Kieft Summer Research Program. Participants have gone on to graduate school, medical school and to work in the scientific industry. In addition to her discipline-based work, Moore has been director of Monmouth's pre-med program since her hire, co-coordinator of the SOFIA summer research programs since 2010 and co-coordinator of the College's new neuroscience major. Moore also helped create the College's newest major - health science and human movement - and has served on a variety of faculty standing committees.

"Dr. Moore's leadership has been a steadying force for years at Monmouth, whether she's guiding students through the intricacies of pre-med preparation, helping faculty conceive and execute their SOFIA projects, or positioning the chemistry department to explore those things which matter to students most," said Dean of the Faculty Mark Willhardt. "She has been someone who advocates for her students tirelessly, and who helps them keep their focus even when things get difficult. It doesn't surprise me that her commitment to generations of Monmouth College students has been recognized by the alumni. It certainly seems a deeply earned reward."

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