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Welcome to the Home Page of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Program at the University of Northern Colorado.

The Program offers excellent undergraduate and graduate degree programs delivered by dedicated faculty in modern classrooms and laboratories. Undergraduate emphasis areas include ACS-certified degrees in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Chemical Education. Additional emphasis areas are Pre-health (e.g., pre-med, pre-dent, pre-vet), Forensic Science, and Industrial Chemistry. Graduate programs include M.S. degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Education and a Ph.D. degree in Chemical Education. Faculty members are active in research in all major subdisciplines of chemistry.

The Program is located in Ross Hall on the west campus. The office is in Ross 3480 and the telephone is (970) 351-2559.

David C. McCullough, author of the book 1776, observed that, “History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” The success of our present UNC Chemistry Program owes much to the far-sighted professor who was present at its beginning. Professor John Beel joined the faculty at the University of Northern Colorado in 1949, as its only chemistry professor. John was proud of being an alumnus of Iowa State University and his work there with Henry Gilman. His passion was teaching and doing research in organic chemistry. The story is told that John could identify an organic compound simply from its characteristic odor, a technique that would be frowned upon today by OSHA. He became the founder and first Department Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry, serving for 22 years, and hired all of the Department’s original nine faculty members, some of whom are still at UNC and others that are here today to honor John. He also served as Acting Science Division Chair; and for more than ten years, he was Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

John provided important leadership for UNC, and particularly for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, during its years of rapid growth. He was instrumental in the design of the original Ross Hall and in calling for its construction. He also led the Department program toward national certification by the American Chemical Society. This ACS certification has led to our alumni being highly sought for employment and valued by graduate schools. He also initiated the Chemistry and Biochemistry masters and doctoral degree programs. The first doctoral degree offered was the Ed.D. This was followed by one of the nation’s first D.A.degree programs, leading to national recognition of UNC as a groundbreaking U.S. institution in chemical education. The D.A. was formally converted to a Ph.D. program in chemical education in the late 1980s—again, one of the nation’s first offered by a Department of Chemistry. John was also instrumental in starting the medical technology program at UNC and played a pivotal role in the founding of the School of Nursing.

During his years of leadership, John received eight National Science Foundation grants, primarily for outreach to high school chemistry teachers and for laboratory equipment. Each grant enhanced the facilities of the university and its reputation. Perhaps John’s most significant academic impact was his personal commitment and example. The long hours he patiently devoted to tutoring chemistry students are legendary. Many students succeeded in chemistry through his direct, personal efforts. However, his contributions extend beyond his work with students. For twenty years, he taught one course annually for the sum of one dollar to free up his fellow chemistry colleagues to collaborate with undergraduate or graduate research students, to attend professional meetings, or to write grant proposals. This course was Chemistry 108, a large-enrollment introductory course for pre-nursing students. Remarkably, of approximately 53 years of service John gave UNC, he received essentially no compensation for two decades of that time. After his retirement, he devoted countless hours to helping foreign students organize and draft their graduate theses and dissertations in clear and correct English—a major service to the Department. This endeavor sparked John’s interest in learning to read Chinese. Beyond his substantial contributions to UNC students and programs, John also worked at the state and national level. He was active for many years in governance in the American Chemical Society. He served as Councilor and chair for the Colorado ACS Section. He also served on the ACS Committee on Education and chaired its Graduate Education Subcommittee. He helped write an ACS national organic chemistry examination used by many colleges and universities as an assessment exam. John was the UNC representative to the Rocky Mountain Science Council and chaired many symposia at professional meetings. He was also active in the Colorado-Wyoming Academy of Science and served as its President. Despite national acclaim, John always found great personal satisfaction in making a difference in students’ lives. He fondly recalls helping a student who had failed chemistry courses at another institution, but, through working with him, gained confidence and learned to understand chemistry—and even went on to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry. A university is defined by those it employs, particularly its faculty members and administrative leaders. The character and quality of UNC as a beneficial and nurturing environment for students are a result of dedicated individuals, which John exemplified so well during his many years of service.

Jim and I are pleased to have been hired by and to have worked with John Beel and to be part of his legacy.

This tribute was prepared by David Pringle and James Scheck with help from Loretta Jones and Henry Heikkinen.