LeAnn Self-Davis received both her bachelor's and her master's degree in Agronomy and Soils from Auburn University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. She began teaching in the Department of Chemistry and Engineering Sciences in 1999. While a faculty member at FHU, she has been active in water quality research of local systems. She served as the director of the Research Center for the School of Sciences and Mathematics from 2005 to 2009. In 2009, she began her new role as Dean of the School of Sciences and Mathematics.
Jim Barr completed his undergraduate studies in chemistry at Freed-Hardeman and later received his master's in chemical physics from the University of Nevada, Reno. During his stay at UNR, Mr. Barr took part in several research projects on chemical dynamics and molecular control, working with the Department of Energy at Sandia National Laboratory’s Combustion Research Facility. After graduation in 2005, he returned to Freed-Hardeman as an instructor in chemistry.
Joe DeLay received a B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics from Middle Tennessee State University, a M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. from Georgia Tech. He taught two years at Abilene Christian and two years at DeKalb Junior College. He has worked as a polymer chemist and a highway marking formulator. He has taught Chemistry and Physical Science at Freed-Hardeman University for 29 years. He has been married to Kay DeLay for 46 years, and they have one daughter, Daphne, who is both a mother and pharmacist. His hobbies include photography and giving away money when he has it.
Jerry Thornthwaite has been at FHU since 1997. In addition to having started the biochemistry degree program, initiating two courses in Cellular and Molecular Immunology and Forensic Science, and teaching General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Immunology, he is the Director of the Cancer Research Institute of West Tennessee (CRIWT), a separate 501(c)3 charitable foundation from FHU. He has students working in the CRIWT laboratories. He has published a significant number of papers and abstracts at meetings worldwide and has obtained significant grant funding throughout his career. Jerry and his wife, Bonita, have been married for 41 years. They have done medical mission work in Haiti for the past seven years. They have a son, Kyle, who works with computer animation and a daughter, Andrea, who is busy with three sons of her own, Easton, Zeke, and Evan.
After completing the pre-engineering program at Freed-Hardeman, Charles Tucker received his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from Tennessee Technological University. After receiving his degrees, he worked for Carpenter Wright Engineers where he served as the lead structural engineer for the Opry Mills Mall located in Nashville, Tennessee. After obtaining his professional engineering license in 2000, he began teaching in the pre-engineering program at FHU. He completed a Ph.D. in the fall of 2007. His dissertation, "Predicting the In-plane Capacity of Masonry Infilled Frames," has led him to be active in the Masonry Standards Joint Committee that writes the masonry code.
Natalie Zlatovich, B.S.
Administrative Assistant
Anderson Science Center, Room 113
731-989-6032
nzlatovich@fhu.edu
Natalie Zlatovich graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in the fall of 1996 with her B.S. in Biology. In the spring of 1997, she married Mitch, whom she met while a student at FHU. She has been working as the administrative assistant since the spring of 1998 and considers it a true blessing to be able to work at such a wonderful university.