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Science Department
Vic Pinks, a '72 Marmion graduate, joined the Academy faculty in 2000. In addition to his teaching duties he moderates the Technology Club working with students on various science projects including high performance computing using a 10 node Beowulf development cluster located at Marmion Academy. He mentors Honors Integrated Science Thesis topics on molecular dynamics computer simulation methods. He is the Technology Director responsible for IT including advisement on technology growth and education at the Academy. He is CSO for Edgebrook Research, LLC (www.edgebrookresearch.com) which is headquartered on the Marmion Academy campus. Pinks received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Aurora University and his Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from Northern Illinois University.
Dean is in his 6th year at Marmion. He is teaching courses in Astronomy/Meteorology, Anatomy/Physiology and Geography/Geology. Dean started up Marmion's wrestling program in 2002. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Indianapolis and joined Marmion with fourteen years of teaching and coaching experience at the high school level. Dean and his wife Renea have a two year old daughter Maggie.
Katherine Brennan is in her 6th year of teaching at Marmion. She teach 2 sophomore Modern Biology classes as well as an Advanced Biology class and a Genetics/Forensic Science class. She is in her 4th season as the Chess Coach and 6th year as Ecology club moderator. Katherine received a bachelors in Secondary Education; Social Sciences, a BA in Anthropology, with a minor in History from NIU. She also received her MS in Biology from NIU. She belongs to several volunteer organizations including the Cortland Volunteer Fire Department as an EMT and she is going through FFII training. She also teach 6th grade religious education classes at St. Mary's Church in Maple Park, where she received the Bishop's Award for education. She serves on the board for DeKalb County AYSO, (American Youth Soccer Organization) and is a Child/Volunteer Protection Advocate and a soccer referee for U12 and U10 age groups.
Steve joins the Science Department this year as a Chemistry Instructor. He most recently taught at Evanston Township High School (general and Advanced Placement Chemistry). He earned a B.S. Degree from the University of Delaware and a M.A. Degree from National-Louis University. Prior to his teaching experience, Steve was a senior research scientist with Abbot Laboratories and a research chemist with the Baxter Healthcare Corporation.
Gary joined the faculty last year as an instructor of chemistry. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry with minors in biology and mathematics from Youngstown State University and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Central Michigan University. He has over thirty years of teaching experience; most recently at Shepard High School in Shepard, Michigan.
David, a 2002 Marmion graduate, joins the Science Department as a freshman science (integrated science) instructor. He is also serve as the Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach and moderator of the new Fencing Club. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of Illinois where he earned a B.S. Degree in Animal Sciences, Bio-technology and pre-veterinary medicine. Most recently, David served as a veterinarian's assistant.
Tony Tinerella is in his 17th year at Marmion. He is an Assistant Football Coach and started the Biology and Weight Lifting Clubs, which he currently moderates and has changed the Biology Lab into a living lab with ponds, waterfalls, 15 aquariums, Bird Aviary with Mackaws and Cockatiels, have turtles, salamanders, and crayfish. The Biology Club also has set up a 300 gallon saltwater aquarium in the hallway outside the Art Gallery. He is in charge of care and maintenance of all the above mentioned. Tinerella has been in charge of the Weight Room and Weight Room equipment since he began at the Academy. He received his Associates Degree in Science from College of DuPage, Bachelors of Biological Science from Illinois State University and Masters in Education Administration from North Central College (June '07). His professional memberships include: National Association of Biology Teachers. Teaching Philosophy: My teaching style is one that incorporates lecture and discussion with an emphasis on developing upper cognitive level thinking. I like to have a 'college' style classroom environment which puts a lot of pressure on the students to do outside the classroom studying. I also try to foster a sense of Christian Values and caring for others both in the classroom and on the playing field. I push my students to be the best they can be through hard work and effort! Tinerella has been married for 10 years and has 3 beautiful children.
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Gary
Ronk
