• Chemistry graduate opens doors to the world of science
  

  
  Rhonda Rush always has Iowa State on her mind. Ever since she left campus in 1975 with her doctorate in chemistry, she's been determined to give back.
  
  That's why last year, after a great deal of careful thought, Rush designated deferred commitments to the Department of Chemistry to be used for the department's general scholarship fund.
  
  Rush (Ph.D. '75) lives in Chicago where she has worked for the S&C Electric Company (specialists in electric power switching and protection) for nearly 25 years - most recently as senior materials scientist.
  
  She returns to campus twice a year to serve on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Advisory Council and has stayed in contact wtih her major professor, Don S. Martin, professor emeritus of chemistry.
  
  Rush has also kept in touch with the two other female chemistry students in her class.
  
  "I worked at the Ames Laboratory," she says, "and lived off campus in a trailer. We went to the computer center a lot, played tennis, worked really hard and had a lot of fun."
  
  Rush believes it's important for everyone to keep their alma mater at the top of their minds.
  
  "I've always had Iowa State in my will," she recalls. "I decided to do it right after I left campus. I had such a great time there, and I think it's important to remember our institutions of learning. If I didn't go to college, I'd have a very different job than I do now."
  
  A long-time supporter of Iowa State, Rush's most recent commitment will go a long way to help future chemistry students make their way into the world of science

Rhonda Rush

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October 30 to November 12, 2006