Young professor connects with students
John Anderson
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: News
At first sight, new Assistant Professor of Chemistry Matthew Young might not be what Hillsdale College students expect.
Youthful and vibrant, with long hair and pierced ears, he is an outdoor adventurer and recent college graduate known to occasionally enjoy standard college student fare such as Hot Pockets and frozen pizza.
But, students said, his appearance and lifestyle belie natural maturity and classroom confidence.
Young's students said his youth makes him easier to relate to and more approachable than their older professors, qualities they especially appreciate when learning a difficult subject like physical chemistry.
Furthermore, his recent experience as a student makes him a valuable resource for Hillsdale undergraduates.
"He's a good resource for grad school applications, because he just went through all that," junior Jordan Holsinger said.
Fall 2007 has meant major transition for Young. In addition to moving to Hillsdale to teach physical chemistry, Young has also begun renovating a dilapidated, pet-soiled house on six acres in rural Hillsdale.
"It's been a lot of work to get it in sanitary conditions," he said. He and his wife are also expecting their first child.
Young spent his undergraduate years at Seattle Pacific University, where he majored in chemistry and minored in philosophy.
He earned his doctorate at Northwestern University, where he researched the optical properties of nanoparticles using surface-enhanced raman scattering. Young has had his research published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry B, and has also presented his work at scholarly conferences in France and Quebec.
In seeking a teaching position, Young applied to small liberal arts colleges, and eventually accepted a job offer from Hillsdale because he appreciated the respect and interaction between faculty members of different disciplines.
"I enjoy being somewhere where disciplines talk to each other, and consider other disciplines to be important and relevant," Young said. "What really impressed me the most was the seriousness with which they take the concept of liberal arts education."
Young has so far enjoyed his teaching at Hillsdale, and gives his students credit for adjusting well to a difficult course.
"P-chem is kind of an infamous course, approached with fear and trepidation," he said. "I think they've done a good job."
In addition to teaching, Young hopes to continue his research on surface-enhanced raman, and to involve Hillsdale undergraduates in the process.
Young likes to spend his limited free time outdoors, and enjoys camping, hiking, and mountain climbing. Given the flat topography of the Hillsdale area, he said, he intends to take up cycling and golf as new hobbies.
Hillsdale College Collegian 2007
Youthful and vibrant, with long hair and pierced ears, he is an outdoor adventurer and recent college graduate known to occasionally enjoy standard college student fare such as Hot Pockets and frozen pizza.
But, students said, his appearance and lifestyle belie natural maturity and classroom confidence.
Young's students said his youth makes him easier to relate to and more approachable than their older professors, qualities they especially appreciate when learning a difficult subject like physical chemistry.
Furthermore, his recent experience as a student makes him a valuable resource for Hillsdale undergraduates.
"He's a good resource for grad school applications, because he just went through all that," junior Jordan Holsinger said.
Fall 2007 has meant major transition for Young. In addition to moving to Hillsdale to teach physical chemistry, Young has also begun renovating a dilapidated, pet-soiled house on six acres in rural Hillsdale.
"It's been a lot of work to get it in sanitary conditions," he said. He and his wife are also expecting their first child.
Young spent his undergraduate years at Seattle Pacific University, where he majored in chemistry and minored in philosophy.
He earned his doctorate at Northwestern University, where he researched the optical properties of nanoparticles using surface-enhanced raman scattering. Young has had his research published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry B, and has also presented his work at scholarly conferences in France and Quebec.
In seeking a teaching position, Young applied to small liberal arts colleges, and eventually accepted a job offer from Hillsdale because he appreciated the respect and interaction between faculty members of different disciplines.
"I enjoy being somewhere where disciplines talk to each other, and consider other disciplines to be important and relevant," Young said. "What really impressed me the most was the seriousness with which they take the concept of liberal arts education."
Young has so far enjoyed his teaching at Hillsdale, and gives his students credit for adjusting well to a difficult course.
"P-chem is kind of an infamous course, approached with fear and trepidation," he said. "I think they've done a good job."
In addition to teaching, Young hopes to continue his research on surface-enhanced raman, and to involve Hillsdale undergraduates in the process.
Young likes to spend his limited free time outdoors, and enjoys camping, hiking, and mountain climbing. Given the flat topography of the Hillsdale area, he said, he intends to take up cycling and golf as new hobbies.
Hillsdale College Collegian 2007
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