If anyone values opportunity, it鈥檚 Lyubov Slashcheva. As a at 91短视频 (91短视频), taking the Dental Admission Test (DAT) is one of her priorities. Her free moments are spent engrossed in a DAT study guide.

A Russian interpreter for the (HRFC), Slashcheva does not waste a moment. Five schools, including the University of Baltimore, West Virginia University, University of North Carolina, University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Commonwealth University have already received her dental school application. When asked why Virginia Commonwealth appeals to her, the frequenter of the 91短视频 Dean鈥檚 List expounded upon her overall campus visit impression. At the school, she said, service is emphasized and envisions that serving others will equip her well for dentistry. In-state tuition and proximity to home also helps, she added.

After she dons 91短视频鈥檚 royal blue gown this December, the visionary plans to travel. She will spend four months in Gracias, Honduras and Mayobamba, Peru with the , serving in two dental clinics. The Luke Society will support her as she educates communities about preventive medicine, stimulates community development and builds community missions with a local pastor. Slashcheva will do this all so local individuals can care for themselves.

With over three years of Spanish under her belt, Slashcheva is slightly nervous for the time away but is optimistic it will be an opportunity for growth. This experience, the forward-thinker hopes, will give hands-on dental experience and a picture of rural dentistry abroad.

Family-rooted worker

In addition to being a highly disciplined student, Slashcheva values her family and church community. When she is not arduously studying for the next exam, serving others or spending time in extra-curricular activities, the youngest of three children relaxes at home with her parents.

She donates her time to the HRFC and other dental clinics in the area while working two jobs. Additionally, Dr. David Kenee, Dr. Steven Gardener and Dr. Stacie Dietz, all in the dentistry field, receive Slashcheva鈥檚 helping hands. She also tutors struggling students in organic chemistry and biology and works at .

At her home congregation of First Russian Baptist, Slashcheva co-directs a choir that meets three times a week and attends a weekly youth prayer meeting. “I like a strict schedule,” said Slashcheva who also plays flute in the church band.

After pondering how she spends her free time Slashcheva said she can鈥檛 live with free time. “After I graduate, maybe I鈥檒l learn how.”

Slashcheva cherishes the common ground built at the HRFC between medical professionals, clients and volunteers. Others, she hopes, “would value the opportunity that the HRFC presents to do a job willingly while belonging to the larger effort.”

Robert D. Yoder, 76, professor emeritus of biology at 91短视频, died Aug. 27, 2005 at his home. He had been ill for the past year.

Yoder taught human biology, microbiology and immunology courses at 91短视频 from 1963 to 1995 and was advisor to 91短视频’s medical technology students. He started long tenure as a lab assistant to Dr. Daniel B. Suter in 1962. In retirement, he did volunteer work as a laboratory technician in the Suter Science Center until his health declined.

A 1957 91短视频 graduate, Yoder went on to earn a master’s degree from James Madison University.

During a 1977 sabbatical, Yoder completed the medical technology program at Rockingham Memorial Hospital and went on to work in the laboratory there part time during the week and full time during summers doing blood chemistry analysis until his retirement. He also volunteered many hours at the Harrisonburg Free Clinic.

Yoder was known by many for the poems and tributes he wrote for and about his family, co-workers and friends. He was an avid angler, birdwatcher and environmentalist. He was licensed to do water analysis and was a former president of the Massanutten chapter of Trout Unlimited, a national organization concerned with the preservation of cold freshwater habitats and fisheries.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lois Peachey Yoder, four children, a brother and five grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Aug. 30 at Park View Mennonite Church where he was a member.