Calling all prospective engineers, chemists, agriculturalists, doctors, general scientists, housewives, or anyone who wants a good background in chemistry: to obtain this excellent background you need look no further than the chemistry department here at Texarkana College.
Headed by James H. Bennett, assistant professor of chemistry, the department is one of the finest of any of the regional institutions. Levi H. Hall, academic dean of the college, observed that, “The chemistry department here at TC is strong, and possesses its share of the academic prestige that this college boasts.”
Five courses are offered by the department: general chemistry, advanced general chemistry, organic chemistry, advanced organic chemistry, and quantitative analysis.
The two courses in general chemistry train the students in the fundamental principles of pure, theoretical, and applied chemistry. They go into a detailed study of such related subjects as thermochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and quantitative analysis.
The department staff is comprised of Chariman Benkett, Warren S. Dill, associate professor, and Mrs. Jeri Ann Robinson, instructor. Each of these teachers have, in addition to their classroom projects, extra-curricular activities in the field of chemistry.
Perhaps the most interesting of these activities is currently being undertaken by Mrs. Robinson. She is in the process of synthesizing a heretofore unprepared organic compound.
The department is housed in the chemistry building at the science complex. Inside are ultra-modern classrooms, laboratories, and offices. The laboratories constitute excellent facilities for students and teacher research. In addition to the general labs are the four private labs in which elongated experiments can be carried out.
In the labs are several intricate instruments at the disposal of the student. These include a refractometer which measures refractive indices of compounds, a gas chromatograph which is used in testing organic samples, a colorimeter spectronic 21, a polarograph, a polarimeter, digital read out balances, and several other pieces of equipment.
In informal interview with three chemistry students, Robert Galloway, Stephen De Freitas, and Tommy Henderson, a question on their opinions of the department was asked. All three agreed that the program is both challenging and rewarding. Because of the small number of students (in relation to number of students in the other departments) have the teachers have more time to devote to the needs of the individual student. This, of course, works to the advantage of the students.
The general chemistry classes at TC usually average from 15 to 25 students whereas the number of students in a similar class at a university averages over a hundred. In classes approaching this size the student ceases to be a name and becomes a number.
Dean Hall summed up the academic advantages of studying at TC with these facts. “The chemistry student who does average work here does average or better work, usually better, when he transfers to a four-year institution.” Statistical proof backs this statement up.
The Texarkana College graduate chemistry major can secure a lab technician or chemist journeyman, after which he may advance as far as possible.
Bennett, the department head, suggests to all prospective students that they have some knowledge of algebra. With this knowledge they can be introduced to and trained in a very exciting and rewarding field of endeavor. All this can be accomplished under the roof of the TC Chemistry department.