Bro. Dennis Donaldson

THE DOCTORAL STUDENT

Our Cause had an opportunity to sit down with the former Eastern Regional Associate Director and discuss his love of the sciences, the program at LSU and his future plans.

OUR CAUSE (OC): Who was your earliest influence in the area of science?

Dennis Donaldson (DD): Mr. Lenhart, he was my Physics teacher when I attended Meadowbrook High School, my Junior Year in Richmond, VA.  His class sparked my interest in pursuing a career in the sciences.

OC: Where students encouraged to study and enjoy science at the schools you attended as a youth?

DD: As a youth my peers enjoyed the classes we were in; Biology, Earth Science and Physics. However, very few continued to pursue the sciences in college.

OC: Why did you choose physics as your field of study?

DD: When  I  initially enrolled  at Virginia  State  University I  was  in  the  Business Administration

Program, I decided to change to Physics because I wanted to challenge myself.

OC: Why did you select Virginia State University (VSU) for your undergraduate studies?

DD: I was quite immature in my efforts to attend college initially. My sister persuaded me to apply. She told me I had an excellent chance to be accepted and receive scholarship assistance through the Honors Program with my high school credentials.

OC: Who were your mentors while at VSU, and how did they assist you during your time at the campus?

DD: I had a few while at VSU. Prior to joining Phi Beta Sigma, my French teacher Dr. Kabia was a great mentor. He was a teacher first and professor second.  In his classroom life lessons were taught in conjunction with the course curriculum.

OC: In what ways were you involved in the sciences outside of the classroom? How have these activities helped you?

DD: Many do not realize science is around us on an everyday basis. I have learned to identify and appreciate these moments.  Multiple applications of science helped me engrain certain processes, like utilizing the process of the scientific method to gather adequate data.  In 2008, I created a generator by utilizing the process of electrolysis.  This was an opportunity to use lessons learned in the classroom environment and apply them to real life applications.

OC: What was your biggest academic challenge while at VSU?

DD: I would say my biggest academic challenge was studying; I did not develop sound studying habits while at VSU. Most of the material was understood in the classroom and committed to memory.  I have developed better studying skills in graduate school.

OC: How has your experience at VSU helped to prepare you for the PhD program at Louisiana

State University (LSU)?

DD: Talking with professors and other students to get a better understanding of what to expect was helpful. I believe learning from their personal experiences in a doctoral program helped to prepare me for LSU.  While at VSU, I noticed the need for more African-American PhDs. I am in favor of diverse teaching communities, but we are underrepresented in this area.

OC: Why did you choose the program at LSU?

DD: While in the Physics program at VSU, I observed there were two main tracts I would fit into. However, these two tracts did not fit for me. I have always had a profound fascination for nature and science. This fascination led me to the Geological Science program at LSU. I found the best way to incorporate these two fascinations into one was Geological Sciences.

OC: Tell us about the summer program you participated in.

DD: In 2007, I participated in the GAEMP (Geoscience Alliance to Enhance Minority Participation) program at LSU.  The  program gave  minority students the  opportunity to immerse themselves in Geology.  We were enrolled in  introductory summer courses and participated in a Geological Field Camp, in Colorado Springs, CO. This solidified my interest in Geology.

OC: What are your plans for a career after completing your studies?

DD: I plan to conduct research expanding on my PhD research and other areas of Geology.  In addition, I would like to establish Earth Science programs at underrepresented institutions (HBCUs) and other institutions. I see myself being a prominent administrative giant.

OC: How has membership in Phi Beta Sigma impacted your life?

DD: Phi Beta Sigma has helped me to strengthen my character and has polished me as a young man.  I have been given access to a vehicle that allows me to encourage and work towards positive change in the community, and recognize what is needed most in our communities. It has helped to motivate me in my pursuit of success, not for myself but for others.

OC: What advice would you give a young student wishing to follow in your footsteps and study physics?

DD: I would tell those students to identify their passions, write out a plan to accomplish them and stick to it.  Make a  conscious effort to network with various individuals on a personal level without an agenda, just for common camaraderie and human interaction.

OC: How can we help to increase the interest in the sciences during the grade school and high school years?

DD: We need to provide mentors working in the sciences for these students. We would also need to conduct research on how to retain interest in grade school and high school students. Recognizing and taking advantage of generational trends and realizing that children’s interests vary will help us spark and maintain an interest in the sciences.  It’s not an easy solution but this is something I would like to tackle as well.

OC: Where do you see yourself 10-15 years from now?

DD: 10-15 years from now I see myself as a tenured professor at a research one institution or as junior government official for the United States Geological Survey.

T. Le Bon