The Road to the Goal | MBU’s Applied Science Department
Every high school student has a career dream. Every person wants to leave a legacy. But few consider the whole pathway to the finish line.
Not every freshman who enters college knows their end goal from day one. But as they find their passions through classes and are trained by qualified professors, they discover what they want their legacy to be. Each end goal begins with a starting point.
DEFINE YOUR PATH
Maybe you want to be a mechanical engineer. Or you want to discover new cures for rare diseases. Perhaps your goal is to be in the pharmaceutical business or even pursue a career in physical therapy and training. Each of these careers requires schooling after your undergraduate degree. But you need to start with the basics. Consider these MBU alumni:
- Tyler Nelson graduated with a BS in Pre-Medicine and was accepted into 3 of the graduate schools where he finished his application process. Tyler is attending Western Carolina University for the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
- Victoria Morris became a PhD student in the Human Pathophysiology and Translational Medicine program at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) after receiving her bachelor’s in Biochemistry.
- After finishing a bachelor’s in Pre-Medicine, Rachel Prigge went on to Mayo Clinic to become a Surgical First Assistant. She completed her program in September and now works at Mayo as an SA in surgery.
- Dr. Jesse Sherburn, an Applied Science graduate, received an MS and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University and works as a research mechanical engineer in the Survivability Engineering Branch in the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
Each of these graduates started with the basics – a bachelor’s in an Applied Science field. Each of these graduates had faculty members cheering them on through their programs.
A STRONG FACULTY GUIDE
The Applied Science faculty are dedicated to helping students become well-rounded professionals in and out of the classroom. The faculty’s commitment to the mission of Maranatha and its core values is evident in their day-to-day lives. Professors seek to develop individual relationships with their students, and by doing so, mentor them in a way that makes those connections personal, spiritual, and relational.
Each member brings a blend of experience in industry research and academics to the department. Dr. Lane Hansel (BS Biology, Bob Jones University; MS Biological Sciences [in progress], Clemson University; MS Microbiology, Clemson University; EdD Education, Bob Jones University) taught a blend of science, math, and Bible courses for 16 years prior to coming to Maranatha in 2011. During the first nine years of his tenure at Maranatha, he was the administrator of Maranatha Baptist Academy and taught courses in the Department of Applied Science and School of Education. He became the Chair of the Department of Applied Science in 2020.
Mr. Timothy Meier (BS Pre-Med Bob Jones University; MS Microbiology, Clemson University; MS Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis) worked at Lilly Pharmaceuticals for 25 years before coming to Maranatha. He studied infectious diseases for the first half of his career and did cancer research during the other half. When Lilly offered him an early retirement package in September of 2017, he decided it was a good opportunity to begin teaching. Mr. Meier joined the Applied Science faculty at MBU in the fall of 2018 and is an excellent asset to the department.
These men are only two examples of the qualified team of educators that comprise the Applied Science faculty. With their help, many Maranatha graduates have grown as leaders and developed problem-solving and analytical skills.
BEGIN NOW
So how do you prepare in high school for a career in science?
- Take a variety of math and science courses. Find what you love by exploring physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics in high school.
- Connect directly with faculty members or an academic advisor. If you want to talk more about your career goals and where to start, connect with a faculty member via phone or email. They would love to help you plan for your future.
- Talk with your parents. Ask your parents if you can visit Maranatha to personally meet with the Applied Science faculty and visit classes.
- Plan your visit. Maranatha’s Guest Relations will coordinate a specialized visit just for you.
Don’t wait until your senior year of high school to start thinking about your future in a scientific career. Start now and explore your options through Maranatha’s Department of Applied Science.