Commun ty Matters Emporia Presbyterian Manor
Meet Atul Karki, director of dining
One of Presbyterian Manor’s newest staff members is Atul Karki, director of dining services. Atul joined us in June after completing his Atul Karki MBA. Before leaving the workforce to focus on his studies 2013, Atul worked for Morrison Senior Living in Houston, Texas. “Four months ago, I had never heard of Emporia,” said Atul. “I don’t like big cities and I hate traffic. I prefer small towns; they’re laid back. When I got the call for the job, I saw the potential to progress as a team, as a department. I like to visit new places. New place, new people, new work. This makes me excited!” Atul is originally from Nepal. He grew up in Singapore where he got his education. After high school, he came to the United States – about 10 years ago. He earned his undergraduate degree in hotel and restaurant management and worked in a number of hotels and restaurants. What excites Atul about working at Emporia Presbyterian Manor? “I like the people here, especially Susan. She’s open-minded and she always wants to do some changes. I don’t like the same old stuff. I want to do some changes, which will be better for the residents.”
August 2015
Traveling the world led to monumental discovery for resident John Peterson, PhD Not everyone has the chance to become the “world’s authority” for something in their lifetime, but biologist and Emporia Presbyterian Manor resident John Peterson earned that title while working on a thesis for his doctorate degree. With a bachelor of education degree from Northern Illinois Teachers College, John’s teaching career started at Jackson Junior College in Jackson, Mich. His subjects covered everything from botany to chemistry and zoology. He even had time to serve as the head coach of the basketball and baseball teams, and led the basketball team to a national tournament.
John Peterson, PhD
After four years, John left to pursue his master’s and doctorate degrees from Michigan State. He then went to the University of Missouri to teach mycology, plant pathology and general biology. During his first year at MU, John conducted research in an effort to finish his thesis. This research led to the discovery of a bacterium that was in North America for the very first time.
Merle Peterson
“It was called ‘Sorangium cellulosom’ – it was the first time it had been found in North America. A couple had found it in Poland before but not here. It seemed to be the sort of thing that makes antibiotics,” he said. After his discovery, John received a grant from a pharmaceutical company to continue his research and was asked to speak at many engagements. “My teaching was extremely fascinating, too,” said John. “I loved to teach and get to know the students and have an effect on them.” PETERSON, continued on page 2
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PETERSON, continued from page 1
After teaching for 18 years at MU, John went to Emporia State University to serve as the first dean of liberal arts and sciences. After 12 years, “I figured that was long enough. I was 62 then.” He stayed at the university to teach plant biology and started the honors program. Even after he retired at 65, he kept an office and gave presentations to various groups around Emporia and surrounding towns.
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Emporia Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Susan Siepelmeier, executive director Ken Hanson, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Ken Hanson, marketing director, khanson@pmma.org.
Telephone: 620-343-2613 Fax: 620-343-9195 Address: 2300 Industrial Rd., Emporia, KS 66801-6636 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. EmporiaPresbyterianManor.org
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Community Matters august 2015
“I gave lots and lots of talks,” said John. “I did it until I was about 90. I talked about all sorts of things, not only biology, but traveling and everything.” John’s travels included spending months living in Sweden, South Africa, Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico, all across Canada and the U.S. when he was doing research at MU and gathering soil samples to isolate the bacterium he had discovered. John’s wife Merle always traveled with him, working as his assistant. “We had more than 50,000 slides of travel photos that we made.” John and Merle have been married 70 years and have one son and one daughter.
Bravoof the Month
Sharon Schmidt
I’d like to recognize Sharon Schmidt for coming back and helping us in laundry. I really appreciate all her hard work and willingness to help us when we need her, even when she has lots of work to do herself. Thanks again.