April 14, 2013 To Whom it May Concern: It is my extreme pleasure to write in support of Mary McEwans application.

I have known Mary since August 2008 when she became my student in Chemical Principles, a one-year general chemistry course for science majors. Mary was also my student in Analytical Chemistry, Natural Science Seminar I, II, and III as well as my academic advisee and research student. Mary is an outstanding student with a great potential for success. Although she did not have any chemistry background when she began the year of Chemical Principles, Mary was able to overcome this deficit to perform at the top of the class. In Chemical Principles II, a course that is difficult even for students with a strong background, Mary did well while also performing extra activities to earn honors credit. This included discussions of current science topics and a study of water quality indicators at two streams that flow into the Hudson River. Mary has presented this work in two forums at MSMC. Marys involvement in her school work goes beyond the minimum expectations for the course. She always gives her very best. In May 2010, Mary began working on a research project with me as part of our Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), studying the heavy metal content of hookah tobacco and smoke. Other parameters of hookah smoking were previously studied by students in my lab, and Mary chose to work on this aspect of the project. This research project involved a literature search, along with experimental design, data collection, analysis and presentation of the results. Mary proved to be a very competent researcher in terms of library research, and was able to work closely with me to design experiments, think through problems, and move forward. Mary was extremely competent and reliable in the laboratory, not just as a technician but in understanding the science behind the analytical techniques used, allowing her to make adjustments with little input from me. She was thorough and organized in the lab, using her time wisely, keeping her materials well labeled and stored, recording her work carefully in her laboratory notebook, and reporting out regularly about her progress. Mary presented her work on this project as a poster presentation at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Boston (August 2010) and at our SURE symposium at the end of the summer (September 2010), at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference (March 2011) and the Mid-Hudson American Chemical Societys Undergraduate Research Symposium (April 2011). It was very easy to work with Mary on this project, in part because of the meticulous nature with which she approaches everything she does, but also because of the joy Mary exhibits when learning new things. Mary loves to learn and it is obvious in her interactions and her demeanor. Mary has since worked with another professor on an ecological survey project (summer 2011) and has also presented this work at a regional

conference (Environmental Consortium of Hudson Valley Colleges and Universities annual conference November 2011). Mary is not a student who only excels in the classroom or the lab. She is also involved in the activities of the Division of Natural Science, serving as a peer tutor, a recitation leader, and an active participant in division activities such as family science night, elementary school outreach, and open house events. In fact, the science students elected Mary to be their student representative to voice their concerns to science faculty at Division meetings. Mary worked with another student and a chemistry faculty member to develop a science magic show which they presented to elementary students during National Chemistry Week. Many hours were spent perfecting this presentation and it was a big hit. Students seek out Mary as a tutor and she is always the first student I recommend. Marys enthusiasm for learning and for sharing her love of science is truly infectious and she is a wonderful role model for all of our students. Mary was the president of Tri-Beta, the biological honor society on campus, for two years, spearheading a new activity (a dodge ball tournament) to raise money for a local elementary school. Also a captain of the cross country team, a resident assistant in the dorms and a big sister to freshman science majors, Mary is truly all one could want of a Mount student: friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic, smart, driven, hard-working, involved a force to be reckoned with. And she just LOVES TO LEARN. It is this love of learning that makes Mary McEwan a teaching candidate unlike any other. The best teachers are those who love to learn and who can share that excitement with their students. Mary is the living embodiment of that kind of teacher. She is excited to learn and eager to share her new-found knowledge. Her excitement is infectious; talking to Mary makes you want to know about what she learned, too. Mary has put her skills to work sharing her knowledge of science with students in our National Chemistry Week Family Night and Girl Scout Badge Day programs. She has a great rapport with the students and is easily able to explain the science to them in terms they can understand. You will find that Mary McEwan is a candidate with a strong intellect, excellent work ethic, and exceptional people skills and I encourage you to give her application the careful consideration it deserves. I give her my highest recommendation. Sincerely yours,

Lynn E. Maelia, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry