In 2007, while attending Klamath Union High School, Cady Lancaster got a chance to play a CSI detective during Southern Oregon University’s annual forensics workshop. It showed her the science of crime fighting and convinced her that SOU would be a great place for a college education.
That’s why, despite graduating with strong high school grades and test scores, Lancaster turned down opportunities to attend prestigious scientific institutions in other parts of the country and chose SOU instead.
It was in the labs and classrooms of the Science Building where Lancaster discovered SOU’s commitment to learning excellence. Hands-on work with professors is a daily routine. Lab equipment is state-of-the-art. The education is practical and translates into a career.
When a couple of laboratory equipment representatives stopped by SOU’s Science Building to show off some of their latest technology, Lancaster knew right away what it was and how to use it.
“The Foster and Freeman representatives gave a demonstration on some of the most advanced forensics technology and instrumentation coming onto the market,” Lancaster recalled. “I was able to understand nearly everything the rep was describing and even name a specific illumination technique he was using on a telescope (the Khöler illumination).”
It just proves, Lancaster said, that her time at SOU has prepared her for what’s to come—grad school and a career. “If that doesn’t show how thorough and real-world applicable my education has been, I’m not sure what would.”
“A lot of my friends from high school ended up going to places like Johns Hopkins University, St. Louis University, and other large schools. But my classes—unlike theirs—are taught by professors. I learn every day from people with doctorates.
And best of all, I outperformed them on American Chemical Society exams. I feel very confident that my education has more than prepared me for what will come next.”
Lancaster’s not yet sure which form of chemistry she’ll continue on with, but she is certain she’ll attend graduate school after she finished at SOU this June.