Myers makes science fun

Step into the office of John Myers you'll see 40 years of lesson plans, assignments, tests, and research piled like towers around a small jar of Hershey's Kisses.

If you bring up his name in a discussion, faces light up and students will talk about the warmth and sweetness of this big Southern man.

"There is no other teacher like him," said biology senior Audrey Barber. "He's so patient and willing to help — you are never afraid of going up to him and asking him a question."

"Dr. Myers is willing to work with you to help you understand and he always finds some creative way to relay the information to everyday life," says Stefanie Cooper pharmaceutical science junior.

Born and raised in Jefferson City, Tenn., Myers grew up with a father who taught chemistry at Carson-Newman College. When his father was asked to begin a chemistry program at another school, Myers helped him out and caught the bug.

After graduating from Carson-Newman College with a B.A. in mathematics and a B.S. in chemistry, Myers went to the University of Florida and earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry. After Florida, Myers continued his post-doctoral research in organic chemistry at Michigan State University before coming to NCCU.

For years, Myers worked as a professor until he became the chair of the chemistry department for 6 years from 1991-97.  Since then, Wendell Wilkerson, one of Myers former graduate students and the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, became the department chair.

"I have always admired his easygoing and approachable style as a teacher," said Wendell, a professor of Chemistry and the department chair. "It's important for our students to have a teacher like Myers."

Throughout much of his career as a professor, Myers has been big proponent of undergraduate research at NCCU.

In 1990, Myers became part of the Executive Committee of the N.C. Consortium on Undergraduate Research where he is a faculty mentor for students conducting research in the chemistry department.

For a few years, Myers was also the co-organizer of the N.C. Fall Conference and the Sixth National Conference of the Council on undergraduate research.

"He is always doing something to help us out with our research," says Cooper. "Even after his office hours are scheduled he is willing to sit down with you and make the information plain."

Since 2003, he has been the editor of the NCCU's University Undergraduate Research Journal in which he has edited four volumes.

As editor, Myers oversees the research of a variety of topics from how atoms behave in certain chemicals to the thematic concerns of literature by William Butler Yeats.

Myers is also chair of the N.C. section of the American Chemical Society where he works alongside others publishing journals and certifies undergraduate programs for the ACS.

"There is no chapter in my chemistry book that is too difficult for him to explain," said Barber. "He always find a way to relate the information for us so that it's easy to explain."

Myers' big heart of service comes out in the community through summer programs.

Myers serves as the chair of  S.E.E.D.s, a science program that provides a summer experiences for economically disadvantaged students and where high school students can come in and learn more about science.

Myers is also the director of Summer Ventures, a free summer program for high school juniors and seniors who live on campus at NCCU and conduct lab experiments while learning mathematical skills in science.

There is no guessing why Myers is a recipient of NCCU's Distinguished Service Award in 2006 the Exemplary Mentoring and Teaching Award from the college of Liberal Arts in 2007.

"He makes learning organic chemistry fun and he is always making us laugh," says Cooper.

If anyone feels that working in a lab might be a daunting task, Barber will tell you that Myers makes it fun.

Myers low tenor voice singing to old country songs sweetens up the stale environment of a chemical lab.

"Sometimes he'll start singing in at the end of class or to tie up some point in his lectures," says Barber.

Like a proud father, Myers will brag with pride about the accomplishments and success of his students — many of which who have gone on to enjoy successful careers in chemistry.

"What I am most proud of," he said "are the students who have achieved and done well in research."

Some of his success stories included Karla Mark whose research was recently published in the Journal of Neurochemistry and Isaiah Hill who currently works for Georgia Pacific — a global leader in building products — where he develops modular building materials.

At the heart of why Myers loves teaching chemistry is that he enjoys helping students look at the natural world and understand how small things are part of a greater picture.

"I want to help students to see not just the trees," says Myers. "I want them to see the whole forest."

Myers and his wife Mary, have been married for over 37 years. They have five children and three grandchildren.