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 The biology
department seeks to discern and unfold the implications of Christ’s
pre-eminence in biology by pursing the following general aims:
(1) To dramatically expand our students’
knowledge of God’s universe so that they might be more faithful stewards
of God’s gifts and more informed worshippers of the one true God, (2) To encourage students to become
motivated servants who take seriously the fact that knowledge in
biology carries with it the responsibility for practical application in
redemptive activity, (3) To help students identify their
particular callings related to biology and to help them develop
confidence that God can use their biological knowledge and skills to
accomplish His purposes in them in terms of those callings.
"My Recollections of the Early Days of the Biology Department at
Covenant"
As told by Dr. J. E. Lothers
The original lab
facility was designed by Professor Ray Dameron for use in 1964-65. The
lab was constructed in space provided by closing in a veranda on the
ground floor of Carter Hall and consisted of a long narrow lab and stock
room. Professor Dameron built the lab benches himself. The plan was for
me to start the 1965-66 school year, but my Ph D was not completed in
time. A member of the education department agreed to teach General
Biology in addition to his education courses. When the dean, Dr.
Sanderson, told him that some students had complained that his lectures
consisted of reading from books he said "yes, and I'm running out of
things to read". Bob Westcott, a local high school teacher finished out
the year. He came several nights per week often bringing lab experiments
with him. When I came in the summer of 1966 the biology supplies
consisted of an antiquated, barely functional microscope and two sets of
biology charts. I spent a lot of time getting supplies and equipment
inexpensively. A good source was found for used reconditioned
microscopes.
By the middle of
the fall semester of 1967 the science facility had been enlarged to
include a lab for basic and one for advanced courses for biology,
chemistry, and physics (6 labs, although the advanced chemistry and
physics labs were downstairs, requiring people to go outside to get
access). There was also a lecture room and a stock room. There was no
air conditioning, and the lecture room had no windows, so the heat could
be rather bad in August and September.
Biology courses
offered during the 1966-67 school year included General Biology and
Genetics in the fall and general Biology and Comparative Anatomy in the
spring. I also taught General Chemistry both semesters until some time
in the second semester when Professor Dameron rescued me from my
desperation and assumed responsibility for the chemistry lectures. (The
labs were still my responsibility.) Offerings in 1967-68 included
General Biology, Bacteriology, Embryology, and Directed Studies in
Biology. Also since students were required to take two semesters of
laboratory science and most of the non majors were electing to take
General Biology, a two semester course (Modern Concepts of Natural
Science) for non majors, covering physics, chemistry, and biology, was
added. This course was taught together with Professor Dameron. In 1968
Omar Olney came from Gordon College, and it became possible to offer a
biology major. Courses added that year included Current Concepts in
Biology, taught together with Dr. Olney, Plant Anatomy, and Animal
Histology taught by Dr. Olney, and Ecology taught by me (JEL). A new
core was initiated in 1969-70 and Evolution & Biological Adaptations (JEL)
and Geology & Astronomy (taught by Dr. Olney and affectionately known as
Rocks & Stars) replaced Modern Concepts of Natural Science. Macro &
Microevolution for biology majors was also added, and Dr. Olney added
Human Physiology. Other courses which I added in the next few years
included Environmental Studies Taught with President Marion Barnes (who
had worked successfully to reduce air pollution in Chattanooga),
Nutrition, Taxonomy of the Higher (vascular) Plants, and MCAT/advanced
biology GRE review.
The first year we
had graduates with a B.A. in science was 1968. The first year we
graduated biology majors was 1969. Dr. Jerome Wenger replaced Dr. Olney
in the fall semester 1972, and he assumed responsibility for Ecology,
Comparative Anatomy, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Geology & Astronomy,
and one semester of General Biology. He also added several other courses
during the next few years, including Comparative Animal Physiology,
Ornithology, Invertebrate Zoology, Entomology, and Plant Physiology.
Dr. Timothy
Morris, a Covenant graduate, came in 1995. He and Dr. Wenger each taught
a semester of General Biology and he assumed responsibility for
Microbiology and MCAT review. Dr. Morris added courses in Cancer
Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Immunology. He and Dr.
Wenger shared responsibility for Biological Perspectives.
God truly has blessed the Biology Department in wonderful and amazing
ways. The department now resides in Mills hall and has three full labs,
a commons, a prep room, a research lab, and of course faculty offices.
The story of the Biology department's humble beginnings and growth over
the years is a testimony to God's grace and blessing, and we are truly
thankful to Him. :: Return
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