Best in Brief

Math and science honor societies induct members

Mu Alpha Theta and Gamma Chi Epsilon, Darlington’s mathematics and science honor societies, respectively, inducted new members during a ceremony Monday, Feb. 18, in the Chapel.

The purpose of Mu Alpha Theta is to stimulate a deeper and more effective interest in the subject matter. Membership in this international society is open to students who have excelled in mathematics, having maintained an average of 94 percent or better in math courses and completed two full years of high school mathematics including Algebra II. Students must be enrolled in a math course at the time of selection, and, generally, students must have taken one full year of math at Darlington.

Students earning this distinction are: Amanda Brant, Melissa Brass, Kathryn Byars, Sung Choi, Russell Evans, Mary Harrison, Christine Hom, Melissa Jarrell, Patrick King, William Krueger, Roger Luo, Elyse Moody, Joyce Sweeney, Melissa Sumner, Aam Tungson, and Robert Withers.

Gamma Chi Epsilon Science Honor Society recognizes the academic achievements of high school students in Georgia. Membership is by invitation only. Each inductee must have met the following qualifications: be in the upper 20% of the senior class, have an overall average of at least 90, have successfully completed three college prep science classes and be enrolled in a fourth, be in good standing with the School, and be a member of the Georgia Junior Academy of Science.

Students earning this distinction are: Rachel Anderson, Nasreen Fakhri, Dax Griggs, Adam Kijowski, Porter Leslie, Sarah Rhodes, Frank Stegall, and Joyce Sweeney.



Stem cell research, cloning discussed by biologist during chapel

Reproductive biologist Joe B. Massey, M.D., a partner of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Atlanta and co-founder of Reproductive Biology Associates, presented his thoughts about the ethical implications of stem cell research and cloning during chapel in April.

He discussed possible solutions to current stem cell research that could avoid or minimize the harvesting of embryos and the ethical problems of cloning. “Reproductive freedom needs to be stopped at about the point we’ve just now reached. In my opinion, we don’t need to reproduce humans,” Massey said.

A member of Southeastern Fertility Institute, Massey serves on numerous committees for Northside Hospital in Atlanta. He has published almost 60 articles and abstracts on issues and techniques involving human reproduction. Massey is a graduate of Emory University and Emory Medical School and a former Naval officer.