For Immediate Release:
September 11, 2019
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
Laurel Ridge students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry now have seamless transfer options with Radford University following the two institutions’ inking of a transfer agreement.
The chemistry 2+2 agreement (two years at Laurel Ridge to earn an associate of science degree with a chemistry specialization, and two years at Radford’s Artis College of Science and Technology for a bachelor of science degree) was recently signed by Laurel Ridge Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Karen Kellison; Laurel Ridge Dean of Science, Engineering Math and Health Ia Gomez; Artis College Dean J. Orion Rogers, and Artis College Chemistry Department Chair Christine Hermann.
It will allow students graduating from Laurel Ridge to pursue five different chemistry concentrations at Radford, including biochemistry, forensic chemistry and advanced professional chemist.
“This is the beginning of a meaningful collaboration with the Artis College of Science and Technology at Radford University,” Dr. Gomez says. “This is a great opportunity for students who are interested in science, who enjoy their chemistry classes and would like to explore different career options within the field of chemistry. We’re excited about this wonderful opportunity for our students, and look forward to working with our partners at Radford with the common goal of inspiring and promoting student success.”
Dr. Rogers’ says Radford University faculty are “very excited” to be partnering with their counterparts at Laurel Ridge.
“We look forward to working with the faculty and students, and to exploring opportunities for everyone,” he says.
Laurel Ridge Chemistry Professor Sam Dillender and his recently-retired colleague, Dr. Ernie Grisdale, worked diligently to establish the seamless transfer agreement.
“Many of our students like the small classes and faculty engagement they experience at Lord Fairfax,” Dr. Dillender says. “They will get the same experience at Radford. Professor Grisdale and I visited Radford in February and have been working on the agreement since then.”
Professors Grisdale and Dillender have previously established a chemistry transfer agreement with Shepherd University.
Learn more about Laurel Ridge’s science degrees at www.laurelridge.edu/degree/science
Pictured left to right: Standing: Retired Professor Ernie Grisdale, Professor Sam Dillender. Seated: Science, Engineering, Math and Health Dean Ia Gomez, Radford Dean J. Orion Rogers, Radford’s Dr. Christine Hermann and Laurel Ridge Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Karen Kellison.
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Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With four locations — Middletown, Warrenton, Luray-Page County and most recently, Vint Hill— the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College (Laurel Ridge) is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College. Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.
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