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Science & Health

Science & Health Faculty & Staff

Science & Health Faculty & Staff

Dr. Vins Sutlive
Department Chair, Science & Health
(859) 858-3511, x2172

Dr. Melissa Siard Altman
Assistant Professor of Equine
(859) 858-3511, x2480

Dr. Ben Brammell
Professor
(859) 858-3511, x2123

Dr. Bruce Branan
Professor
(859) 858-3511, x2307

Varee Crank
Adventure Program Coordinator
(859) 858-3511, x2491

Trent Ellsworth
Director, Center for Adventure Leadership / Adjunct Professor in Recreation
(859) 858-3511, x2491

Renée Frantum
Administrative Assistant of Equine Center
(859) 858-3511, x2262

Elise Kearns, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Exercise Science
(859) 858-3511, x2187

Harold Rainwater
Equine Director
(859) 858-3511, x2259

Dr. Marvin Ruffner
Assistant Professor of Biology / Mission Farm

Jennifer Sarver
Staff Assistant, Shaw School of Sciences
(859) 858-3511, x2230

Dr. Wilson Shafer
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
(859) 858-3511, x2231

Dr. Laura Walther
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
(859) 858-3511, x2232

Cathrin Wilbanks, MS
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Equine Studies

Words from our Students

“Asbury creates an atmosphere that pushes you out of your comfort zone and helps you grow.”

— Joel
Appointed Class of 2021
Adventure Leadership, Media Communication

Words from our Students

“As an equine major, I appreciate the endless opportunities that are provided to become the best you can in the time you have. ”

— Victoria
Appointed Class of 2021
Creative Writing, Equine Studies

Words from our Students

“Archways was an amazing opportunity to connect with other new students and form relationships before the craziness of classes and welcome week began. Even today, 3+ years later, I feel like I can walk up to anyone that participated in Archways and reconnect with them on a personal level.”

— Haleigh
Visionary Class of 2020
Communication with Public Relations Emphasis, Recreation with Adventure Leadership Emphasis

Words from our Students

“It’s a great school with a great community. It’s been a great place to grow and learn to pursue your dreams. ”

— Rebekah
Visionary Class of 2020
Mathematics, Chemistry

Words from our Students

“I have experienced an undeniable feeling of belonging and fellowship with the Spirit of God with and through my classmates and mentors.”

— Caroline
Faithful Class of 2022
Biology

Words from our Students

“The science courses at Asbury undoubtedly prepare you for graduate-level study. At the same time, the faculty invest in you and pray for you along the way. It is a rare and valuable experience.”

— Emily
Vindicated Class of 2018
Biochemistry, Mathematics

Words from our Students

“The community is amazing here! Walking on campus you see familiar faces, even if you don’t personally know them and you feel like more than a just another number walking around campus. Faculty, staff, and other students care about you and want to see you succeed and grow.”

— Haleigh
Visionary Class of 2020
Communication with Public Relations Emphasis, Recreation with Adventure Leadership Emphasis

Words from our Students

“Asbury equips and empowers you with the tools needed for academic success and spiritual vitality.”

— Phoebe
Appointed Class of 2021
Biology, Equine Science

Words from our Students

“You get to know your professors personally and work alongside them, and the size of the program does not stop them from helping you advance your career through opportunities to conduct research and present your work at local and national conferences.”

— Andrea
Vindicated Class of 2018
Biochemistry

Words from our Students

“The community is irreplaceable. I had a full ride to a larger state school and was close to committing there, but then realized that I’d pay any amount of money to go where I walked around seeing my friends everywhere I went and where the people around me in every one of my classes wanted to invest in my life in a positive way.”

— Peter
Vindicated Class of 2018
Sociology, Pre-Occupational Therapy

Words from our Students

“Asbury University has an incredibly conducive environment for spiritual development for anyone who is open and interested in such growth.”

— Daniel
Merciful Class of 2019
Theatre & Cinema Performance, Adventure Leadership

Words from our Students

“At Asbury, you are developing as a whole person. They prepare you to be a more well-rounded thinker who can integrate multiple perspectives against the backdrop of your own field, but they also care about your growth and development as a Christian.”

— Andrea
Vindicated Class of 2018
Biochemistry

Words from our Students

“My professors really care about how I am doing, both academically and personally. They always take the time to sit down with me outside of class to talk if I need to. The class sizes are normally pretty small (the biggest major class I’ve been in was about 25 students), so you get to ask a lot of questions to understand the material better.”

— Bailey
Merciful Class of 2019
Biology/Pre-Med, Spanish

Words from our Students

“One thing that specifically stuck out to me was the support my classmates gave me; I was not their competition, but their friend and collaborator. They take joy in my success, and I in theirs.”

— Susanna
Vindicated Class of 2018
Pre-Physical Therapy

Words from our Students

“I had the opportunity to travel to Ireland my freshman year. I have never grown so close to a group of people in such a short period of time. I was transformed spiritually and mentally, because I was propelled into an environment of a different culture. It was an amazing time filled with memories I will never forget.”

— Phoebe
Appointed Class of 2021
Biology, Equine Science

Words from our Students

“If it was not for the connections Asbury has given me, I do not think I would have been such a strong candidate for my graduate program. My education went far beyond the classroom and settled in my heart forever. I would not have wanted to spend these wonderful four years anywhere else.”

— Susanna
Vindicated Class of 2018
Pre-Physical Therapy

Words from our Students

“I was challenged as both a student and a Christian, and my time at Asbury truly has equipped me with a foundation for excellence wherever I go next.”

— Andrea
Vindicated Class of 2018
Biochemistry

Words from our Students

“Asbury’s professors are qualified and teach with enthusiasm for the sake of helping you reach your goals. The Science Department equipped me academically, socially, professionally, and spiritually to now take my place in physical therapy school in the fall.”

— Susanna
Vindicated Class of 2018
Pre-Physical Therapy

Words from our Students

“Going on my F.I.E.L.D. Semester through Adventure Leadership was the most impactful and spiritual forming time of my life.”

— Joel
Appointed Class of 2021
Adventure Leadership, Media Communication

Words from our Students

“One of the best things about Asbury is that this university really does strive for excellence and gives each student the opportunity to do the same for themselves.”

— Caroline
Faithful Class of 2022
Biology

Words from our Students

“The relationships I built with the community here will take me far beyond my contemporaries from other universities. I was encouraged spiritually and grew into knowing why I believe what I do about Jesus Christ.”

— Susanna
Vindicated Class of 2018
Pre-Physical Therapy

Words from our Students

“Asbury University offers a unique educational environment in which your professors closely mentor and nurture you in both learning and research in a type of fellowship that is not easily found anywhere else.”

— Young
Visionary Class of 2020
Chemistry

Words from our Students

“Asbury intentionally seeks out the incoming students to ensure they are included in the community. I highly recommend this college because it has provided an extremely welcoming, growing, bonding, and friendly experience.”

— Victoria
Appointed Class of 2021
Equine Studies, Creative Writing

Words from our Students

“As a science major, Asbury was a great stepping stone for the rest of my career. The knowledge and experience I gained here made me competitive when applying for outside research experiences and graduate schools.”

— Andrea
Vindicated Class of 2018
Biochemistry

Words from our Students

“I have some amazing relationships with my professors that have challenged me and show that they care about me outside of the classroom setting, which was a new experience for me after growing up in a public school system.”

— Haleigh
Visionary Class of 2020
Communication with Public Relations Emphasis, Recreation with Adventure Leadership Emphasis

Words from our Students

“I would recommend the FIELD semester and Adventure Leadership major/minor to anyone because of how practical it is. You learn how to lead, communicate with people, think critically, plan, problem solve, and so much more!”

— Haleigh
Visionary Class of 2020
Communication with Public Relations Emphasis, Recreation with Adventure Leadership Emphasis

Words from our Students

“Asbury creates an atmosphere that pushes you out of your comfort zone and helps you grow.”

— Joel
Appointed Class of 2021
Adventure Leadership, Media Communication