Kara Benjamin, a senior at Bethel University, has won the 2008 Glenn T. Seaborg Award, which the Swedish Council of America gives each year to the top science or math student in one of six Swedish-founded colleges or universities in the U.S.

Benjamin, who graduates this spring with a triple major in chemistry, biochemistry, and Spanish, is the second consecutive Seaborg winner from Bethel, and the 13^th since the award was founded in 1979 in honor of Swedish chemist and Nobel laureate Glenn T. Seaborg. The winner attends the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar adjacent to the annual Nobel Awards in December.

Benjamin has:

• been a TA for several professors, most recently Assistant Professor Bynthia Anose
• assisted Anose in research to identify the chemical processes at work in the progression of prostate cancer;
• presented the research results at several national conventions and symposia; and
  
• served as secretary of the Bethel chapter of Sigma Zeta National Honor Society.

“Kara’s award reflects what is going on in the Department of Chemistry for the last 10 years,” said Ken Rohly, department chair, who notes that full-time chemistry professors have increased from four to 10, most coming recently from top-rank graduate programs. President Brushaber said collaboration among the science and math departments has created new realms of study for Bethel students in the specialized fields of biochemistry, biophysics, and microbiology.

“This award is not just for Kara, but for all of you,” said Elise Peters, executive director of the Swedish Council of America. “It’s a testament to the breadth and depth of the opportunities these students have here at Bethel.”

In addition to her triple major and research, Benjamin has:

• studied in 2003-2004 in Rio Cuarto, Argentina;
• worked in the Office of International Studies;
• taught English as a second language to Latinos in Minneapolis;
• tutored at-risk elementary students at the Building Blocks Program in St. Paul; and
• served as a “Friendly Visitor” to elderly Latino patients at St. Paul’s Payne-Phalen Block Nurse Program.

Benjamin is applying to graduate school, with career plans in the biomedical field and health care. Her brother David, a sophomore at Bethel, is also a biochemistry major.

The six Swedish-founded institutions who nominate students for the Seaborg Award are Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.; Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan.; Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn.; California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Cal.; Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn.; and North Park University in Chicago, Ill.