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Biography for Dr. David J. Rausch: Professor Emeritus
David Rausch joined the St. Procopius College faculty as an Assistant
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1966. He had just finished
a post-doctoral year at the University of Wisconsin (Madison)
following completion of his Ph.D. at Iowa State University (Ames)
in 1965. His dissertation research focused on physical organic
chemistry --- the synthesis and conformations of cyclopentyl compounds
under the direction of Dr. Charles DePuy. He minored in Biochemistry
and Inorganic Chemistry.
Dr. Rausch had attended St. Procopius College from 1958 to 1962
as a chemistry major and received his B.S. degree and the College's
Science Award in 1962.
He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1968 and Full Professor
in 1973.
As the organic chemist on the faculty, Dr. Rausch has taught the
year-long organic chemistry class to the biochemistry, biology,
chemistry, and health science students who have graduated from
Benedictine University during his forty year tenure at the University.
He introduced the use of microscale laboratory techniques in 1988
to the organic chemistry laboratories; the first college in the
State of Illinois to do so and one of the first in the nation.
By using very small quantities of chemicals and reprocessing most
of the reaction products, these procedures minimize the production
of organic compounds that must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
This work was recognized by the State of Illinois as an outstanding
demonstration of environmental effectiveness. The University received
Governor Jim Thompson's Waste Reduction Award in 1987. Dr. Rausch
with the help of his students developed many unique laboratory
experiments and introduced the use of computerized data analysis
tools for interpretation of experimental data for the organic
chemistry laboratory, particularly spectroscopic studies using
nuclear magnetic resonance. He has taught a number of faculty
workshops at Argonne National Laboratory in NMR interpretation,
Spectral Analysis and Chemical Applications of NMR Spectroscopy.
He taught review courses in Organic Chemistry and Spectral Analysis
to the technicians at BP-AMOCO from 1972-1995.
Dr. Rausch has an excellent record of publications and presentations
in organic chemistry (20 publications and 2 patents). He wrote
the med cat review book in organic chemistry for Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, BAR/BRI Division in 1990. He has been an active member
of the American Chemical Society. He has spent a number of summers
as a visiting research scientist at Argonne National Laboratory
focusing on photochemistry, the synthesis of crown ethers and
other organic extractants for heavy metal ion separations and
applications of nuclear magnetic resonance studies to examine
their metal ion bonding. In addition, he has maintained an active
on-campus research program and collaborated with other chemists
from BP-AMOCO and NALCO. He has obtained research grants totaling
over $100,000 over the years. More than 75 chemistry majors have
completed their senior theses under his supervision. His students
have presented more than 30 papers at local, regional, and national
conferences. Most of these graduates have since completed post-graduate
degrees in chemistry, biochemistry and the medical sciences.
During his 40 years at Benedictine University, Dr. Rausch has
taught in three different Science Buildings and has served on
many committees. He was chairman of the Department of Chemistry
from 1977-1982. During this time, he wrote grants to acquire major
instrumentation in the department including a 60 MHz NMR, a Gas
Chromatograph, a GC-MS, an IR spectrometer, an HPLC, a refrigerated
centrifuge, an ultra centrifuge and an external solvent storage
shed. He was active in recruiting and during this time Illinois
Benedictine College graduated more ACS certified Chemistry/Biochemistry
majors than any Catholic College in the country and was fifth
in the State of Illinois (behind University of Illinois- Champaign
and Chicago, Eastern Illinois and Northwestern). Of particular
note are his many years of service on the Faculty Welfare Committee
(five years as chairman) and the Health Sciences Recommendations
Committee. He also served for 7 years as Faculty Athletic Representative
for NCAA compliance. He is an avid fan of Eagles athletics and
started the varsity tennis program at St. Procopius College in
1968.
David and his wife Polly recently celebrated their 45th wedding
anniversary. They are the parents of six children and grandparents
of 12. Remarkably, Polly and all six of their children are also
graduates of Benedictine University.
In retirement Dr. Rausch is teaching part time and consulting
at Argonne National Laboratory and BP-Amoco. His favorite pastime
is traveling to France, California and the Northwest to find outstanding
wines.
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