Faculty & Staff

Dick Bloss
SC 322
(859) 572-6360
blossr@nku.edu

Julia Yang Bedell
Professor Emeritus
bedell@nku.edu

BIO

In 1992, Julia Yang Bedell joined the department as a lecturer. She earned her M.S. from Duke University in 1987. Julia taught various classes including Discovering Chemistry with laboratory, Introduction to Chemistry, and General Chemistry labs. In addition to teaching, Julia served as the master advisor and retention specialist for the department starting in 2014. She received NKU's Outstanding Academic Advising Award in 2019.

Vern Hicks
Professor Emeritus
hicks@nku.edu

BIO

In 1972, Vern Hicks began his career as NKU’s first and only Physical Chemist and remained as such until his retirement in 2010. In addition to Physical Chemistry, Vern also taught General Chemistry, Chemistry and Society, Introduction to Chemistry, and his beloved Quantum Mechanics. He received his B.S. in 1965 from Emory and Henry College, and his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt in 1974. Hicks was named 2008 Cincinnati Chemist of the Year by the Cincinnati section of the American Chemical Society. His other honors include: NKU Outstanding Professor Award in 1993, the KSTA Outstanding Science Teacher Award for Post-Secondary Teachers in 2000, and the prestigious Acorn Award in 2010.

Robert Kempton
Regents Professor Emeritus
kempton@nku.edu

BIO

Following two years as a postdoctoral student at University of Illinois, Dr. Robert Kempton started teaching Organic Chemistry at NKU in 1976. He received his Ph.D. from Fordham University in 1975, M.S. from Auburn in 1969, and B.S. from St. Peter's College in 1966. Kempton has been the leader in establishing undergraduate research on campus and still works with students. He taught Organic Chemistry, Spectroscopy, and Advanced Organic Synthesis, and received the honor of Regents Professor in 1993.

Vinay Kumar
Professor Emeritus
kumar@nku.edu

BIO

Dr. Vinay Kumar began teaching General Chemistry in the fall 1970 and holds the distinction of being the first chemistry faculty hired by NKU (then Northern Kentucky State College). Kumar received his M.S. from State University of New York at Oswego in 1967 and his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in 1970. Kumar taught Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, Chemistry and Society, and Introduction to Chemistry.

James Niewahner
Professor Emeritus
niewahnerj@nku.edu

BIO

Dr. Jim Niewahner began his career at NKU in 1970 as an Academic Counselor and Financial Aid Officer after receiving his Ph.D. from Colorado State University. He taught mostly General Chemistry in addition to Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physiological Chemistry, and Chemistry and Society.

William Oliver
Professor Emeritus and ACS Fellow
oliver@nku.edu

BIO

Dr. Bill Oliver joined NKU in 1972. He earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at Iowa State University in 1969 and worked at Procter and Gamble three years before moving to NKU.  He taught Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Physiological Chemistry, and Chemistry and Society. He became the first Chair of the Chemistry Department when it was formed in 1988, and served 16 years in that position. He retired in 2007.