Linking Science’s Future With its Past

by Matt Getty

February 1, 2009

Neal Abraham '72

Most Dickinsonians know that the college’s founder Dr. Benjamin Rush signed the Declaration of Independence, but how many know that he wrote the country’s first chemistry textbook? And while nearly all first-year students know they can find the original Old West mermaid in the library, far fewer may know that the library also houses the scientific apparatus of the man who discovered oxygen.

Dickinsonians know their history well, but some of the college’s noteworthy ties to science lore remain obscure. Perhaps that’s because science always seems to be about the future. After all, when the Rector Science Complex’s new Stuart and James halls opened this fall, most of the talk centered on the halls’ 21st-century approach to science rather than their 18th-century roots.

But at least one alumnus wants to make sure that history doesn’t get lost among all the new state-of-the art teaching labs, instrumentation suites and faculty-student research spaces. Through his recent $100,000 gift to the college, Neal Abraham ’72, a physics professor, executive vice president and dean at DePauw University, made sure of that. In addition to funding a new laser lab, Abraham and his wife Donna Wiley named two alcoves in the new facility after 18th-century scientists with Dickinson ties, Benjamin Rush and Joseph Priestley.

“The connection to a long history of science always meant a lot to me as a student,” says Abraham. “Whenever I entered or left the physics lecture room in the Tome Scientific Building [now the Stern Center], I passed a display of the scientific equipment once belonging to Joseph Priestley, who discovered oxygen in 1774 while experimenting with gases.” Seeing the 18th-century scientist’s equipment was a constant reminder that his own work was part of a long history of scientific discovery, Abraham recalls.

With Priestley’s equipment now stored in the library’s Archives & Special Collections, Abraham hopes the alcoves can provide a similar reminder to today’s science students.

“I thought it would mean a lot to others to know that their study of science at Dickinson is tied to the study of science that went before them,” he explains. “It’s important to have places where students can find inspiration from the past and say, ‘They did it; I can do it. I’m part of a science community that my institution represents.’ ”

Down the hall from the alcoves, two 4-by-2-foot laminated panels encased in glass help to provide that inspiration. One panel details Rush’s scientific achievements, revealing that he served as physician general of the Continental Army, became America’s first chemistry professor and gave public chemistry lectures in Philadelphia for the price of a guinea. The other tells of Priestley’s discovery of oxygen, invention of soda water and carbonation and friendship with Dickinson chemistry professor Thomas Cooper, who purchased Priestley’s equipment on behalf of the college after Priestley’s death.

In addition to linking to the past, the alcoves play a role in the Rector Science Complex’s effort to revolutionize science education. Equipped with tables, chairs and wrap-around chalkboards, the alcoves are designed to foster cross-disciplinary learning and interaction outside the classroom—hallmarks of the building’s 21st-century approach to science.

“A lot of the learning that takes place in the sciences comes from shared discoveries,” says Abraham. “It’s what education specialists call a constructivist approach to education. … There is that ‘aha moment’ that comes from interaction. You hear someone else explaining something, and then you see it in a new way. You explain it to someone else, and you find different ways to connect the pieces to make it real.”

The Rush and Priestley alcoves are only two of seven alcoves in the new halls, and Abraham hopes his gift will inspire other donors to support these interactive spaces while recognizing Dickinson’s past.

“I’m pleased to see that there are plans to name the other alcoves after scientists from Dickinson’s history,” he says. “It’s important to help students see themselves as part of a long science tradition at Dickinson.” The Rush and Priestley alcoves are only two of seven alcoves in the new halls, and Abraham hopes his gift will inspire other donors to support these interactive spaces while recognizing Dickinson’s past.