Dan Crane
Dan Crane, Ph.D.
Special Assistant to the Provost, Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies & Professor of Chemistry
Ph. D. in Chemistry at University of California, Santa Barbara
B.S. in Chemistry at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Technical Translator’s Certificate in German at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
CONTACT INFORMATION
651-631-5331
Academic Appointments
1991–present—Northwestern College & University of Northwestern – Saint Paul
2000–present—Professor of Chemistry
1995–2000—Associate Professor of Chemistry
1991–1995—Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Summers 1993–2006—Visiting Professor, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Summer1996—Visiting Research Assistant, University of Minnesota
1990–1991—Lecturer in Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, Erie
May 1989—Visiting Research Assistant, Institute for Inorganic Chemistry, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
1987–1989—Research Assistant, University of California, Santa Barbara
1986–1988—Teaching Assistant, University of California, Santa Barbara, General Chemistry and Honors General Chemistry
1985–1986—Teaching Assistant, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, General and Organic Chemistry Laboratories
Summer 1985—Summer Undergraduate Researcher, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
College Administration and Program Development
2022–present—Chair, Interdisciplinary Studies
2022–present—Special Assistant to the Provost
2014–2022—Dean of the College of Behavioral and Natural Sciences
2002–2011—Chair, Science & Mathematics
2011–2014—Chair, Mathematics & Engineering
In the past, I have taught General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Introduction to Scientific Thought. More recently, I have been teaching only General Chemistry.
Research Interests
My research interests in chemistry revolve around misunderstood or poorly-explained concepts in lower-level chemistry textbooks. Two examples are the nature of buffer solutions and the formulation of allowed molecular orbitals—why are some configurations allowed and some are forbidden?
A fun thing I do with students is a different type of research—applied physics/engineering—related to maximizing a rider’s efficiency by minimizing rolling resistance on a bicycle.
Hobbies and Interests
I like reading, woodworking, and bicycling.
Janet B. Sommers, Ph.D.
Provost | Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Janet Sommers joined the University of Northwestern faculty in 1991. From 2003-2009, Sommers served as chair of Northwestern’s Department of English and Literature, where she developed new concentrations and minors, and more than doubled the number of English majors. She has published articles on Harriet Beecher Stowe and the literary interpretation of the Bible, receiving University of Northwestern’s Excellence in Teaching Award In 2005.
Since January 2010, Sommers has served as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (SVPAA) and as Provost since September 2020. In these roles, Sommers has engaged with faculty to support student learning, expand academically excellent programming, and facilitate innovative solutions to changing student needs. She has ensured the broadening and deepening of shared governance and worked with faculty to launch bachelor’s degrees in nursing, engineering, data analytics, and computer science, and master’s degrees in business, education, and ministry.
Sommers has overseen the implementation of multiple initiatives which have impacted and extended the student experience. She expanded online dual enrollment programs to on-campus and on-site offerings, offered the first zero-cost textbook degree (Z-degree) in Minnesota, launched initiatives in blended learning and open textbooks, and established the Center for Global Programs.
Championing the rigor and quality of academic offerings, Sommers oversaw the institution’s Higher Learning Commission quality initiative and ten-year reaccreditation processes. Her leadership of the university’s pandemic response efforts involves the oversight of multiple collaborative, cross-divisional teams.
Sommers’s influence has extended to the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, where she led the CAO Commission for two years, serving for six. She is passionate about developing aspiring leaders and has served as a resource leader and mentor for several CCCU Leadership Development Institutes.
Sommers earned a bachelor’s degree in English education from Gwynedd-Mercy College, a master’s degree in English from the University of Toledo, and a doctoral degree in English from the University of Minnesota.
She and her husband Daniel reside in New Brighton, Minnesota. They are blessed with two grown sons, Elliot, who lives in Minneapolis, and Graham, who lives with his wife Hope in Milwaukee.
Tony Pan, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor of Civil Engineering
Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tongyan Pan is a Professor of Engineering at the University of Northwestern. Dr. Pan holds four academic degrees in Civil Engineering with one B.S., two M.S. and one Ph.D. in the broad areas of Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Construction Materials. Since the reception of his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Pan has completed more than one hundred peer-reviewed publications and been awarded with over 2M dollars in research grants.
Dr. Pan has more than 20 years of experience working with industry as a full-time engineer and later a consultant. Dr. Pan is a member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), American Concrete Institute (ACI), Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and American Chemical Society (ACS), and has served on various committees of Transportation Research Board (TRB) and ASCE. Dr. Pan advises ASCE Student Chapter and ASCE Student Competition Teams. Out the classroom Dr. Pan likes the great outdoors and enjoys cooking for his family. He is also a good listener to music along with the two lovely cats he raises.
Research Areas
- Structural and Solid Mechanics (Elasticity & Plasticity; Durability of Concrete & Steels)
- Critical-state Soil Mechanics (Problematic Soils; Soil Dynamics; Unsaturated Soils)
- Multiscale Materials Modeling (Finite Element Method; Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics)
- Mathematical Analysis and Non-linear Differential Equations
Selected Research Projects
- NSF: Development of a Minor in Nanotechnologies for Surface Engineering – A Cross Departmental Effort. Funded by National Science Foundation. $200,000. 2016.
- NCHRP IDEA: Development of an Intrinsically Conducting Polymer-Based Low-Cost,Heavy-Duty and Environmentally-Friendly Coating System for Corrosion Protection of Structural Steels. Stages I and II. Funded by NCHRP IDEA Program. $176,239. 2016.
- NCIIA: IntelliCoat – Commercializing a Smart Coating Product. Funded by National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance. $25,000. 2016.
- WISER: Development of an Atomic Modeling Framework for Studying Oxidation of Asphalt and Developing Antioxidants for Asphalt. Funded by Wanger Institute for Sustainable Energy Research. $25,000. 2015.
- FHWA: Development of a Kinetic Electrical Energy Collecting System in the Public Right-of-Way. Funded by Federal Highway Administration. $1,000,000. 2013.
- Caltrans: Validation of Rehabilitation Strategies to Extend the Service Life of Concrete Bridge Decks. Funded by California Department of Transportation. $569,339. 2011.
Selected Journal Publications
- Pan, T., Continuous damage of concrete structures due to reinforcement corrosion: A micromechanical and multi-physics based analysis, Journal of Building Engineering, Vol. 95(110139). 2024.
- Chen, K. and Pan, T. (Corresponding), An Arc-Tangent Failure Surface for Stability Analysis of Karstic Red-Clay Slopes under Dry-Wet Cycles. Soil Mech. & Foundation Engr. Vol. 58(5): 311-319. 2022.
- Tao, T., Wan, S., Liu, L. and Pan, T., A Spectrum Superposition Based Method for Minimizing Hazards of Blasting Vibration. KSCE Korean Journal of Civil Engineering. Vol. 2021:1-17. 2021.
- Rao, J. and Pan, T. (Corresponding), Efficacy and Efficiency of Dual Electrochemical Strategies for Remedying Rebar Corrosion in Heterogeneous Concrete. Cement and Concrete Composites. Vol. 108. 2020.
- Rao, J., Chen, C. and Pan, T. (Corresponding), Temporal Evolution of Cracking in Prestressed Concrete Studied by a Continuous-Damage Approach. PCI Journal. Issue 11-12. 2019.
- Pan, T., Chen, C. and Yu, Q., Microstructural and Multiphysics Study of Alkali‐Silica Reaction in Portland Cement Concrete. Structural Concrete. Vol. 19(5): 1387-1398. 2018.
- Pan, T., Chen, C. and Yu, Q., Three-Dimensional Microstructural Modeling of Concrete Degradation under Multiple Physics Fields. Composite Structures. Vol. 175: 7-18. 2017.
- Pan, T., Miao, T., and Yu, Q., A Predictive Model for Propagation of Beneficial Microbes in Variably Saturated Soils. Environmental Engineering Science. Vol. 34(6). 2017.
- Yu, Q. and Pan, T. (Corresponding), Microstructural Modeling of Pitting Corrosion in Steels Using an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian Method. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A. Vol. 48(5): 2618–2632. 2017.
- Pan, T. and Yu, Q., Long-Term Anti-Corrosion Performance of a Conducting Polymer-Based Coating System for Steels. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance. Vol. 25(6):2384-2394. 2016.
- Pan, T. and Cheng, C., Exploring Oxidative Aging Behavior of Hydrocarbons Using Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Analysis. Molecular Physics. Vol. 114 (12): 1880-1897. 2016.
- Pan, T. and Yu, Q., Comprehensive Evaluation of Anti-Corrosion Capacity of Electroactive Polyaniline for Steels. Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials. Vol. 63(5). 2016.
- Pan, T. and Cheng, C., Teaching Nano-Surface Engineering Based on Comprehensive Cross-disciplinary Curricula. Journal of Materials Education. Vol. 38 (3). 2016.
- Pan, T. and Cheng, C., An Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Analysis of Lignin as a Potential Antioxidant for Hydrocarbons. Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling. Vol. 62: 325–341. 2015,
- Miao, T. and Pan, T. (Corresponding), A Multiphysics Model for Evaluating Electrokinetic Remediation of Nuclear-Waste Contaminated Soils. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. Vol.226(77). 2015.
- Pan, T. and Miao, T., Contamination of Roadside Soils by Runoff Pollutants: A Numerical Study. Transportation Geotechnics. Vol. 2: 1–9. 2015.
- Pan, T., Yu, Q., and Miao, T., Synthesizing and Characterizing a Waterborne Polyaniline for Corrosion Protection of Steels. Surface Review and Letters. Vol. 22(02). 2015.
Professional Affiliations
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)
- American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
- Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT)
- International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE)
- Transportation Research Board (TRB)
Classes Taught
- Surveying and Engineering Graphics
- Mechanics of Materials
- Structural Analysis I and II
- Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Design
- Structural Steel Design
- Geotechnical Engineering and Soils Testing Lab
- Foundation Engineering
- Transportation and Highway Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Calculus and Real Analysis
- Senior Design and Project Management
A great teacher creates a fostering environment and trains mind to generate great ideas.
Todd T. Reiland
Adjunct Instructor
B.S. from Bemidji State University
M.S. from Winona State University
CONTACT INFORMATION
Todd Reiland works as an adjunct professor in the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. Reildand has 25 years of experience at Fridley Schools in Fridley, Minnesota, and two years at Grapevine-Colleyville School in Texas. He attends Nativity Lutheran Church in St. Anthony Minnesota.
When he isn’t teaching, Todd is traveling, learning about the different cultures he is visiting, playing ice hockey, and taking photos along the way. Todd is married to wife Karla, and they have two twin daughters, Alison and Elena.
“I love Social Studies because understanding the world is a how we can try to make it a better place. Understanding different cultures will allow us to be a better person. The strive to continually learn from multiple areas will help us learn in life. I love the opportunity to share my knowledge of teaching. I truly enjoy helping our future teachers become more prepared. I hope my students will be able to take the knowledge of how to develop lessons that will engage students. I want them to understand that the hard work and time to developing strong lessons will pay off. I hope they find the love of learning.” – Todd Reiland
Christine Olsen, MBA, CPA
Assistant Professor of Business
MBA Anderson University, IN
B.A. Accounting and Finance, Bethel University
CONTACT INFORMATION
651-286-7445
Christine comes to University of Northwestern – St. Paul having spent over eleven years working in public accounting at CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) in Minneapolis. While at CLA, Christine worked exclusively in the public sector group, with a special focus on social service and religious organizations.
Managing and providing audit, tax, outsourcing and consulting services, Christine’s role as a director allowed her a wide breadth and depth of experience in the nonprofit world. Her responsibilities at CLA also included serving the public sector group as the primary resource for internal staffing, hiring, training and coaching.
At CLA, Christine was also actively involved in internal teaching and training, and during her final years at CLA, she had the privilege of coordinating the onboarding and training of over 30 new hires.
Christine previously served for nearly a decade as a Junior Achievement volunteer, and for five years as board member and treasurer for ImpactLives. She currently serves on the board of directors of Children’s Shelter of Cebu.
Christine has been greatly shaped by numerous mission trips to Ukraine, Brazil, and Haiti. Yet, her greatest ministry passion is seeing God’s Word come alive in the lives of children and young adults. She has taught Sunday School for over fourteen years to intermediate grades and currently delights in opportunities to connect with college students as a spiritual level though Bible studies and informal conversations.
Beyond the classroom, Christine finds joy in reading, gardening, quilting, and bottomless cups of tea.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
• Bachelor of Arts, Accounting and Finance – Bethel University
• Certified Public Accountant, Minnesota
• Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants, Member
• Institute of Management Accountants, Member
• Christian Business Faculty Association, Member
COURSES TAUGHT
• Foundations of Accounting and Finance
• Principles of Financial Accounting
• Principles of Managerial Accounting
• Auditing
• Advanced Accounting
• Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
• International Business
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
• April 2021, UNW Dual Enrollment Senior Celebration: Faculty Address
• 2014-2016, CLA internal training program: Effective On the Job Training
• May 2014, CLA Nonprofit & Healthcare Conference: Moral Courage
• April 2014, CLA internal training program: Risk Assessment Considerations
• May 2012, CLA Nonprofit & Healthcare Conference: Organizational Ethics and Accountability
Dustin Van Hofwegen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology & Biochemistry
Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at University of Idaho
B.S. in Biology/Biochemistry at Northwest Nazarene University
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Van Hofwegen is an internationally recognized scientist and scholar studying microbial genetics and the development of virulence in bacterial pathogens. After completing his Ph.D., Dr. Van Hofwegen then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases where he worked to understand host-pathogen interactions for the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, and the genetic elements that cause these bacteria to be so virulent.
The development of virulence is a question that has long plagued biologists, but also theologians as well. Why do pathogens exist? Where do pathogens come from? Why does evil exist? Dr. Van Hofwegen has investigated the genomics of several pathogens, using genome comparisons to ascertain the nature of virulence for these pathogenic organisms. By studying microbial evolution and the development of virulence, these studies inform and speak into a Christian and scientific understanding of the problem of evil.
The studies undertaken in the Van Hofwegen laboratory have revealed mechanisms of adaptation designed to allow organisms to modify gene expression in response to fluctuating environments. Dr. Van Hofwegen is regularly invited to international scientific conferences and frequently speaks on the intersection of science and faith as it relates to his research, and has published work in top-tier academic science journals such as the Journal of Bacteriology, Journal of Physiology, and Epigenomics.
His current role in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry is to teach students the foundational concepts and skills of the sciences through a Christian worldview. The apostle Paul speaks to this importance in the open chapter of Romans, 1:20: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” (ESV) He feels privileged to teach students about God’s creation, where he reinforces the Christian worldview with the truth and beauty of the biological world which clearly points to our creator God’s eternal power and divine nature!
Current research in the Van Hofwegen laboratory continues to focus on using an engineering perspective to understand several other molecular mechanisms of gene regulation— providing a solid heuristic for identifying how life is organized, how organisms respond to their environment, and how organisms adapt. He trains students in both the classroom and the lab to recognize and understand this design inference. The design inference reinforces a theistic worldview, while also training future scientists and leaders to accurately understand God’s creation. His hope is that students develop this Christian theistic-friendly apologetic that reinforces their faith, and develops a firm foundation for a lifetime of influential leadership in all areas of their life!
Courses Taught:
- Principles of Biology I
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Senior Seminar
