April 5, 2002

BUETOW NAMED OUTSTANDING CHEMISTRY MAJOR

LA CROSSE, Wis.-Viterbo University senior chemistry major Jessica Buetow, from Fredonia, was named this year’s Outstanding Chemistry Major.

Selected for this honor by the chemistry faculty at Viterbo, Buetow will receive her award in May.  She is one of five students in the region (La Crosse; Winona, Minn.; and Decorah, Iowa) to receive the honor, sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS).  The award includes a one-year paid membership in the ACS, an ACS pin and pen, and a framed certificate.

In May, Buetow will graduate Magna Cum Laude from Viterbo University with a grade point average of 3.78.  She has already accepted an offer from Purdue University to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry with a focus on analytical and possibly industrial chemistry.

During the summer of 2001, Buetow interned at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under Chemistry Professor Art Ellis, performing research for 10 weeks.  The research included attempting to prepare nano-sized particles of NiTi, a shape memory alloy. Buetow performed her research in the inorganic chemistry division in collaboration with Wendy Crone from the engineering physics department.

Buetow credits her high school chemistry and physics teacher, Joanne Kaus from Northern Ozaukee High School, for her rigorous teaching style, which, says Buetow, made her college-level general chemistry course "a breeze." She graduated from high school in 1998.

While attending Viterbo, Buetow’s activities have included math club, dance team, peer tutoring, and serving as a campus tour guide.

Viterbo University is a four-year, co-educational, liberal arts university located in La Crosse. Viterbo was founded more than a century ago by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.