Beth Stillabower

“My goals are to help students appreciate, understand and be excited by the diversity and inner workings of the life that surrounds us, and to make informed decisions when faced with scientific information.”  

Title

Lecturer of Biology

Educational Background

  • S., University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
  • A., Hanover College, Hanover, IN

Year Joined Franklin

2010

Expertise

My master’s research focused on an aspect of evolutionary biology in fruit flies.  However, both before and after graduate school I held positions in informal educational settings, such as nature centers, museums and parks. I feel that my experiences in these settings have helped me learn to present biological concepts in relevant and accessible ways, particularly in my non-majors courses.

Why do non-science majors have to take a science class?  Isn’t that a waste of time?

No! Learning science is never a waste of time! We are faced with scientific and “scientific” information all the time in our daily lives. It’s important for students to develop an understanding of how the scientific process works so that they can make more informed decisions about everything from whether or not to try a new cold remedy their friend told them about to what moisturizer they should buy. Students choosing biology as their science exploratory course will also gain a deeper understanding of many aspects of their own health, as well as the actual science behind topics they have likely seen on the news and on fictional shows.

What advice do you have for new students in the department of biology?

Keep an open mind. Some students have started out their freshman year convinced that they want to pursue a medical degree, but then discover that they are actually far more interested in ecology. Use the required courses within the curriculum to help you decide what you are really passionate about.

Talk to faculty — we are nice people, and not scary!  If you’re struggling in a class, ask us questions.  If you think you’re doing okay in class, stop by your professor’s office hours occasionally to review a topic, just to make sure. If you’re interested in what is being covered in class, let us know.  

Selected Professional Accomplishments

Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award, Franklin College, 2018

In My Spare Time…

In my spare time I enjoy cooking, baking, exercising, hiking, reading, and sitting around a campfire with my family. I am also actively involved in community outreach efforts through my church, including coordinating various food-access events, and partnering with schools and community organizations to make sure they have the resources they need to carry out their missions.