Laura Padolik General Chemistry Award

Laura Padolik, Senior Lecturer

Dr. Laura Padolik joined the department in 1993 as a temporary lecturer after receiving her PhD from OSU in 1990 and serving as a postdoctoral associate at UC from 1990-1992. Laura subsequently transitioned to a renewable lecture position in 1998 and was ultimately promoted to a senior lecturer in 2011. Focusing on our general chemistry courses, she taught well over 3000 students during her nearly 25 years in the department. She also coordinated the general chemistry program in the department since 2009. Throughout her time at NKU, Laura was willing to explore new pedagogical strategies, many times being one of the first in the department to implement them (e.g., clicker response systems, online homework systems, guided inquiry lab strategies). Graduates regularly listed her on exit surveys as one of the most impactful faculty associated with their college experience. Besides teaching, she was a department leader in student advising, serving as the department retention specialist from 2005-2014. During that time, Laura worked with all incoming freshman majors in the department and developed consistent advising strategies that led to significant retention increases in the department. She also regularly participated in department recruitment activities and served on various committees. Her efforts were recognized with the NKU Outstanding Academic Advisor Award (Secondary Role) in 2013 and the Michael C.C. Adams and Susan S. Adams Outstanding Non-Tenure Track Faculty Member Award in 2016.

After her passing, the department renamed our general chemistry award in her honor and establishing a memorial fund that recognizes the top department major that completed the general chemistry course sequence (CHE 120/121) during the previous year. If you wish to contribute to this fund, donations can be sent to the address below or online here (select "Other" and indicate the Laura Padolik General Chemistry Award when you donate):

Dr. Laura Padolik Award Fund
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
1 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights KY 41076