The recipients for the 2024 Pence-Boyce Undergraduate Summer Research Experience at Olivet Nazarene University have been announced.
The program, funded by anonymous and generous donors, has supported research in the STEM areas for more than 20 years. The Pence-Boyce Research Experience is named in honor of two former Olivet faculty members, Elbert Pence, Professor of Physics, and Fanny Boyce, Professor of Mathematics, both of whom exemplified excellence in higher education.
During the ten-week summer intensive research period, students and faculty work together, and collaborate in their endeavors.
“This wonderful program has been around for several decades and continues to support student research opportunities, said Dr. Dale K. Hathaway, STEM Associate Dean and chair of the Pence-Boyce Research Committee. “I am very excited to see it provide outstanding research opportunities for some of our best students.”
2024 Pence-Boyce Research
Jillian Becksfort ’25 with Dr. David Hoekman, Biology, “Characterization of the Current Tallgrass Prairie Plant Communities and the Effect of Burning and Mowing on Prairie Plant Communities at the Swanberg Sanctuary”
Lucy Martinson ’25 with Dr. Nicole Vander Schaaf, Biology, “Screening for High-Risk HPV in Papua New Guinea and the Validation of a Low-Cost, High Risk HPV Assay”
Grant Wheeler ‘26 with Dr. Willa Harper, Chemistry, “Synthesis of Uranyl Fluoride Heterocyclic Complexes via Dehydration Reaction: Analysis and Solubility Studies”
Lucy Martinson ’25
Jillian Becksfort, ’25
Grant Wheeler, ’26
About Pence-Boyce
The Pence-Boyce Research Experience is named in honor of two former Olivet faculty members, Elbert Pence, Professor of Physics, and Fanny Boyce, Professor of Mathematics, both of whom exemplified excellence in higher education.
Elbert Pence was a professor of physics at Olivet from 1962 to 1969. His extensive experience with the U.S. Navy provided valuable background for his students. His energy and enthusiasm were driving forces in developing the physics major at Olivet. He exemplified excellence in higher education in physics and engineering. Professor Pence passed away in 2016.
Fanny Boyce was a professor of mathematics at Olivet from 1963 to 1970. She came to Olivet after many years of service at Wheaton College. Her high standards and teaching performance served as inspiration to those she taught. Dr. Boyce passed away in 1986.
To learn more about the Martin D. Walker School of STEM, click here.
