biology

Dorothy Boorse ‘82

Professor of Biology, Gordon College

Why we disagree about climate change: Moving past polarization

Dorothy Boorse, Ph.D. is Professor of Biology at Gordon College. She studies wetland ecology and is also passionate about connecting science and faith communities, increasing women and minorities in science, and supporting science literacy. She teaches, does research with students, and has co-authored an environmental science textbook for undergraduates. She writes about creation care and the church, and was lead author on “Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment,” a 2011 publication of the National Association of Evangelicals about the effect of climate change on poverty.

Physics

Geoffrey Lovelace ‘98

Assistant Professor of Physics, California State University-Fullerton

Gravitational waves: 

A new window on the universe

After graduating from Dock, Geoffrey Lovelace earned his B.S. in physics from the University of Oklahoma in 2002, and his Ph.D. in physics from the California Institute of Technology in 2007. His research focuses on using supercomputers to study sources of gravitational waves, especially colliding black holes. Geoffrey has co-authored more than 60 scientific articles and is a recipient of the National Science Foundation Early Career Award, its most prestigious award for junior faculty. Geoffrey lives with his wife, Elizabeth, and his son, William, in Fullerton, CA.

engineering

Rich Delp ‘92

President, Schiller and Hersh Associates

Engineering for buildings

Richard Delp is a alumnus of both Penn View and Christopher Dock Mennonite High School. He graduated summa cum laude from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.  He is currently the President of Schiller and Hersh Associates, Inc., a professional mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineering firm located in Blue Bell, PA. Rich is a registered professional engineer in the states of PA, NJ and DE. He is the Chairman of the Congregation at Grace Mennonite Church in Lansdale. Rich and his wife, Kristin, have been married for 22 years and have two beautiful daughters, Abigail, age 16, and Allison, age 13, who both attend Dock Mennonite Academy.  

astrophysics

Robyn Smith ‘10

Physics graduate, Drexel University, and graduate student in Astrophysics at the University of Maryland

Sagittarius A*: The supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy

Robyn Smith studies supermassive black holes located in the centers of other galaxies. She is specifically interested in a special type which are considered “active,” because matter is actually being accreted onto (falling into) the black hole. She uses telescopes on satellites orbiting the earth to observe the X-rays emitted by these systems in order to study how matter accretes onto the black hole and how the accretion process might affect the rest of the galaxy in which the black hole is located.  Robyn graduated from Drexel University with a degree in Physics and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Maryland in the Department of Astronomy.  

microbiology

Sydney Breslin ‘19

Senior Dock Student

Science Fair solutions to global food storage problems

Sydney Breslin is a senior at Dock Mennonite Academy, and has participated in Science Fair competitions for the past five years. She has also served as a student guide and Discovery Lab demonstrator for a group of girls as part of a STEM program for girls in middle school sponsored by AAUW Lansdale. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has participated in Model UN Club. Sydney is a member of Calvary Church of Souderton where she served on mission trips to Haiti and Virginia. With her family, she serves the homeless community at Chosen 300 ministries in Pottstown and Philadelphia as well as through the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

microbiology

Madelyn Lewis ‘22

Freshman Dock Student

Hydroponic hype

Maddy Lewis is a 14-year-old freshman and is on the volleyball team at Dock. She enjoys hiking, going to the beach and hanging out with friends. Maddy participated in two years of Science Fair, and won the Harry Anselmo Excellence in Science Award, the Montgomery County Honorary Award, the Broadcom Masters award, and other awards at the Delaware Valley Science Fair. She looks forward to a great year—and many more science fairs.

microbiology

Laurel Latt ‘22

Freshman Dock Student

Synethesia and Stroop Scoop

Laurel Latt is a 14-year-old freshman and plays soccer and basketball for Dock. She loves to read, write, watch TV, and hang out with family and friends during her free time. She competed in Science Fair for the past three years while winning awards at Montgomery County Science Research Competition and Delaware Valley Science Fair.