Biography
Jane Bennett began her career at Oberlin shortly after finishing her graduate work at Wright State University. In addition to teaching introductory courses at Oberlin, she coordinates the laboratories for the core curriculum courses. She also selects, trains, and supervises undergraduate teaching assistants for the introductory morphology/physiology courses. Her other responsibilities include directing the departmental peer-tutoring program, administering the course curriculum placement examinations, and conducting registration for the department’s courses.
A member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, since 1978, Bennett has been secretary-treasurer of the Oberlin chapter since 1984. She joined the General Faculty Health Plan board in 1984 and was chairperson of that group from 1988 to 1992. In 1986 she chaired the subcommittee that formulated the first draft of Oberlin’s current HIV policy statement and guidelines. Within the department she has been active on subcommittees involved with faculty and staff selection, the concerns of minority students, and projections of future space needs in the Kettering Hall of Science. In fall 1990 Bennett addressed minority science students on the topic of making it through biological sciences in Oberlin.
Her numerous advisees have gone on to work as rangers at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Queensland, Australia; as teachers at the primary and secondary levels; as research scientists, academics, journalists, and lawyers; and as technical representatives in biotechnology firms. Some have gone into the health professions as educators, doctors, veterinarians, and dentists, while others have joined the Peace Corps.
