Science and Technology Center Teams

The charge of the Science and Technology Center teams is to help transform a Graceland Univeristy dream into reality!

Stu Waite ('83) Chairman, Leadership/Advisory Team

"This is a big project and many ideas are needed to help build the best Science and Technology Center in the midwest. We would like to be known for having well trained and prepared students who excel in their chosen fields of study and contribute to society as they make use of their talents developed at Graceland University."

• R. Brinks Austin
• Tim Baller
• Ramon L. Chase
• Fred Hausheer
• Greg Hummel
• Donald R. Mehlisch
• Polly Brown Mehlisch
• Joel Ross

• William J. Brett
• David Irby
• Scott McClain
• Robert Schaal
• Chris Stone
• Eric Vogelsang
• Mark B. Wildermuth
• Steven D. Graybill
• Howard Jarvis
• Brent Ruoff
• Tim Silegy
• Mark Thoman
• Daniel E. Waite
• K. Michael Zabel

Stuart graduated from Graceland in 1983 with a degree in science. He went on to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry where he earned his D.D.S. in 1987. He completed his hospital, dental residency at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in 1989, and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, the Olin School of Business, with an MBA in 1998. He has held an appointment at St. Johns Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, Department of Dental Medicine, since 1989, where he has also served as Attending Clinician and Assistant Director of General Practice Residency. Stuart has been Chair of the Department of Dental Medicine since 1998. He resides with his wife Michelle in St. Louis. They have three children.

Brinks graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from Graceland in 1981. He received his D.D.S. degree in 1987 from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and his M.D. from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1990. He completed his residency (1992) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, internship (1991) in general surgery and was Chief Resident in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1991-92), all at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. Brinks practices and is President/Treasurer with Arizona Maxillofacial Surgeons, P.C. in Mesa, Arizona. He resides in Higley, Arizona with his wife Nancy. They have four children.

Tim graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.S. Degree in Chemistry in 1967 and the University of Nebraska College of Medicine with an M.D. Degree in 1971 - where he also completed three years of residency in Internal Medicine. He completed a cardiology fellowship at the University of Iowa College of Medicine from 1974 -76. He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology and has been in private practice in Sioux City, Iowa for nearly 30 years. He has served in the past as Pastor of Sioux City congregation and District President of the previous Sioux-Central district. He currently serves as one of three co-pastors in Sioux City, where he resides with his wife Lyneia Lynne Baller. He has two grown sons, Ryan and Daren, both Graceland graduates.

Bill is currently Professor Emeritus at Indiana State University where he had a long and distinguished career as Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Life Science. Bill received his B.S. from Northern Illinois University, M.S. from Miami University in Zoology and his Ph.D. from Northwestern University where he focused on Comparative Animal Physiology: Biological Rhythms. He is a prolific writer having published widely in such diverse subjects as chlorosis in a pin oak, effects of aminoglutethimide on rabbit EKG and blood pressure, the circadian rhythm of movement in Mexican jumping bean moth as well as two Biological Exploration Laboratory Manuals. Bill now lives in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Ray graduated from Graceland in 1951 with an AA in engineering. He subsequently received a BS in Aeronautical Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Michigan; and an M.A. in Administration from the University of California. Holding Top Secret, SCI clearance, Ray has worked for ANSER since 1977. He provided ANSER support to the Air Force headquarters Space Launch Office for 15 years. He has written over 40 technical papers on space transportation systems, military space planes, SSTO launch vehicles and advanced propulsion systems. He is currently the PI on the NSF program AYAKS (an advanced reusable launch vehicle concept). He is an Ad Hoc member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and participated in the Joint Air Force-NASA Advanced Launch System Program. He is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA, the Chairman of the SAE Space Transportation and Hypersonics Committee. Ray and his wife Arlene reside in Gainesville, Virginia.

Steve studied pre-engineering at Graceland College between 1977-1981 and received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from University of Houston. Steve is a professional consultant specializing in the technical, economic and commercial aspects of the downstream oil and gas, petrochemicals, and electric power industries. As president of Graybill & Co., Steve assists clients at the top level of management with such engagements as the construction and operation of a Dutch oil refinery, refinery asset transactions, business valuations, and refinery and power project development. Steve also provides expert testimony and currently serves as a non-executive director of Renova Energy, a renewable fuels company. His career started with Conoco, Inc. where his responsibilities included refinery operations technical support and refinery economics and planning. Positions managing the refinery economics and planning for AroChem Corporation and as an executive director with Goldman Sachs' J. Aron & Company (U.K.) have provided Steve with an in-depth knowledge of integrated oil refining and trading operations. Steven and his wife Sharon live in Coppell, Texas.

Fred is a 1977 Graceland graduate with a degree in Biology. He earned his M.S. in Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Illinois in 1979 and his M.D. from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in 1982, where he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine in 1985. Fred is Founder (1992), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BioNumerik Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a unique company which uses quantum physics and the Cray supercomputer --- along with a multidisciplinary experimental approach involving chemistry, biology, pharmacology, drug safety, delivery and formulation --- to design novel drugs. He has co-authored more than 150 medical and scientific research publications, including journal articles. He is an inventor or co-inventor on more than 300 U.S. and international patents and patent applications involving new pharmaceutical agents, formulations and methods of use for cancer treatment and other diseases. Fred also serves as Adjunct Associate Professor in Medical Oncology at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center and Adjunct Professor in the Graduate Pharmacology Program at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center.

Greg attended Graceland from 1971-72 and he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Missouri in 1975 with a B.S. in Biology. He graduated at the top of his class from the University of Missouri Medical School in 1979. Greg completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at MU in 1984. He completed a fellowship in hand surgery with Dr. Lynn Kepchum, a plastic surgeon in Columbia, MO. He published articles in the American Association of Orthopedic Surgery journal while still in his residency. Greg has been in practice in Independence, MO since 1985. He recently was a member of a small select group that attended a national seminar in Pasadena, CA to provide input on innovative new procedures in his field. Greg is active in the Woods Chapel Congregation where he served as pastor for several years. He lives in Lee's Summit, MO with his wife Ann. The Hummels have three daughters, Jennifer, Amy, and Sarah.

David is a 1966 Graceland graduate. He earned a doctorate in education from the University of Washington, a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and a postdoctoral fellowship in academic administration from Harvard. He is currently Vice Dean for Education and Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco where he directs undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education programs of the School of Medicine and leads the Office of Medical Education. As a Senior Scholar at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, he co-directs a national study on the professional preparation of physicians --- the Second Flexner Report. For his research on clinical teaching in medicine and leadership in medical education, he received the Distinguished Scholar Award by the American Educational Research Association, the John P. Hubbard Award from the National Board of Medical Examiners and the Daniel C. Tosteson Award for Leadership in Medical Education from Carl J. Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He resides in Novato, CA with his wife, Janet Ruth.

Howard graduated Summa Cum Laude from Graceland in 1991 with a degree in Biology. He went on to get his M.D. from the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, in 1995 and completed his internship in Urology there in 1996. He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine in 1999 at Case Western Reserve University/MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. He has had numerous articles published in scholarly periodicals and been a frequent presenter at conferences. Howard is an emergency medicine physician and Quality Assurance Director with Emergency Physicians of Springfield, Missouri.

Scott graduated Cum Laude from Graceland in 1987 with a degree in Biology. He earned his D.D.S. in 1991 from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He has served on numerous committees and boards at, among others, Allied Medical College and Washington University. He currently serves on Graceland's Alumni Board of Directors. He has worked in general dentistry at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis and at Truman Medical Center. He is currently in private practice in St. Louis, where he resides with his wife Jacqueline and three children.

Donald graduated from Graceland in 1959, went on to the University of Missouri, Kansas City, earned his DDS degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and his MD from the University of Minnesota College of Medicine. He performed his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital and received a Master of Science in Reconstructive Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Mehlisch has held positions as an Adjunct Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston, Texas and Clinical Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Baylor University in Dallas, Texas. He has participated in over 400 clinical research trials as an investigator, medical monitor, project manager or consultant. He resides in Texas and Colorado with his wife, Polly Brown.

Attended the University of Texas and graduated from Del Mar College, then began her nursing career in pediatrics and post-surgical care. She went on to audit hospitals for compliance with the Medicaid program in the State of Texas. For the past 19 years she has been involved in pharmaceutical research. As Senior Project Director for Analgesics for SCIREX Corporation she proposed and set up a research department and developed a formalized research training program. As Director of Training and Development, she developed a training program for coordinators, clinical research associates and investigators. These training programs were used to train SCIREX personnel, and also clinical research personnel from pharmaceutical companies and investigative sites. Since 2000, she has continued these efforts as an independent consultant and has been enrolled in the RN to Master's Degree Program in Nursing Healthcare Administration through Graceland University. She has residences in Texas and Colorado, where she lives with her husband, Don Mehlisch.

Joel is a 1979 Graceland graduate with a B.A. in Business Administration, and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Entrepreneurial Fellows Center. He is president of Universal Electric Corporation in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, a family-owned business which manufactures electric power distribution equipment for industrial, commercial, computer, laboratory and retail facilities. He and his wife Kathy have five children, including a daughter Jessamyn who is currently a chemistry major at Graceland. His community service roles include Board of Directors for Outreach International, Rotary Club local president and he is pastor of the Pittsburgh South Hills Community of Christ.

Brent graduated Summa Cum Laude from Graceland in 1977 with a BS in Chemistry. He earned his M.D. from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1981. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine in 1984 from St. Louis University Hospital and was Chief Resident in Internal Medicine there in 1984. At St. Louis County Hospital he was Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and attending physician from 1984-1986 and was Medical Director, Emergency Department in 1986. More recently he has served as Clinical Chief Emergency Medicine Division, Washington University and Medical Director, Barnes-Jewish Hospital Emergency Department (2002-2004). Brent is currently Chief, Emergency Medicine Division at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Robert graduated with a B.S. from Graceland in 1984. After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with degrees in Physical Therapy and Health Services Management, Robert worked as a staff physical therapist for Columbia Sports Medicine, then moved to Texas, where he owned S & P Rehabilitation. He then returned to Columbia to start Columbia Physical Therapy which was so successful HealthSouth Corporation, then the largest provider of outpatient physical therapy services in mid-Missouri, sought to acquire the company after the first year. Robert remained as an Administrator with HealthSouth until 1999 when he founded Peak Performance Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine. It has become the largest provider of out-patient physical therapy services in mid-Missouri and has expanded to 10 clinics in eight mid-Missouri cities. He resides in Columbia with his wife Angela. They have three children, Erica, Kari and Ryan.

Tim is a 1986 Cum Laude graduate of Graceland. He came to Graceland to play football but fell in love with chemistry and science and went on to earn his D.D.S. from the University of Colorado School of Dentistry. He completed his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at King/Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles. He practices in Long Beach, California, specializing in reconstructive and corrective surgery. His work hit the national spotlight this year when he and one of his patients were featured on the ABC reality-TV show, Extreme Makeover. Tim will be an Alumni College guest speaker at the 2005 Graceland Homecoming.

Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Graceland in 1983 and earned his M.D. in 1987 from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He completed his combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residencies at UMKC in 1991. Chris has a long list of service with hospitals and clinics in Kansas City, Missouri, Ottawa, Kansas, Freeport, Illinois, Manhattan, Kansas, Garden City, Kansas and he is currently Associate Director Faculty, Family Medicine Residency Program at Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. He is also a Clinical Instructor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita. His special interests include childhood and adult ADHD, their associated behavioral problems and Comorbid conditions. Chris is married and has four children.

Mark is a 1956 Graceland alumnus. He earned his undergraduate degree in Arts/Zoology at the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he also received his M.D. degree and completed his internship in pediatrics. He did his residency in pediatrics at Blank/Methodist Hospitals in Des Moines where he has been senior attending in pediatrics for more than 35 years. Mark has taught at numerous hospitals and universities over the years, been a prolific lecturer, presenter and consultant and written many scholarly papers. He has been involved in a host of pediatric research projects. He resides in Johnston, Iowa with his wife Theresa.

Dan graduated from Graceland in 1948 and then attended the University of Iowa where he received his D.D.S and M.S in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dan's academic career included, Head of the Department of Oral Surgery at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry; Associate Professor Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Mayo Clinic; Professor and Department Chair at the University of Minnesota; and Assistant Dean for Hospital Affairs at Baylor College of Dentistry. His research interests were in dental transplants, dental implants, bone substitute, cleft palate, and pre-prosthetic surgery. He has 101 refereed publications, and authored the textbook, Practical Oral Surgery. He has served in numerous international venues including the SS Hope, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Australia, China, Egypt and Sri Lanka. Dan and his wife, Alice ('47), live in Independence, MO. They have five children, all of whom are Graceland graduates.

Mark has more than 25 years experience as a financial services executive and spent most of his career at Fidelity Investments and Interactive Data Corporation. He is currently launching a business that provides software and alternative investment research to financial advisors. Previously, Mark was Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer of AdvisorTech, a private global brokerage firm with operations in Japan, Korea and Germany.

Mark is focused on helping both the underprivileged and children through his non-profit work. He is involved with the Fisherman Foundation, a group that serves to bring self sufficiency to the poor in inner cities and third world countries.

Mark received a B.S. degree in Computer Science and Economics from Graceland University. He continued his learning through numerous executive education programs, including Wharton and New York Institute of Finance.

Eric graduated from Graceland in 1982 with majors in both Mathematics and Computer Science, which he taught for five years at the high school level. He then earned his MBA from Duke University in 1989, which launched his 16 year career in the health-care industry. He is Executive Director of Worldwide Human Health Marketing at Merck Pharmaceuticals. He currently leads the worldwide marketing for Merck's Hypertension Franchise (COZAAR) and recently led the Atherosclerosis Franchise (ZOCOR). Eric resides in New Hope, Pennsylvania with his wife, Juli, and three children, Drew, Gwen and Ian. His diverse experiences across the sciences brings to this advisory board a unique perspective.

Mike graduated from Graceland in 1984 with degrees in Biology and Chemistry and then attended Washington University Medical School in St. Louis where he graduated with an M.D. degree in 1988. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Duke University in North Carolina followed by a Cardiology fellowship at Duke. After serving as Chief Resident at Duke University hospital in 1995 he joined the practice of Cardiovascular Consultants at the Mid-American Heart Institute of Kansas City. Mike served as Chief of Staff at Lawrence Memorial Hospital from 2002-2004 and is currently medical director for Cardiology services in Lawrence. Mike and his wife Debbie ('88) make their home in Lawrence, Kansas along with their two children, Matt and Lauren.