Dr. Wade Neiwert was a chemistry professor at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN for 19 years. He recently joined Higher Dimension Materials as a Senior Scientist and is now their COO, designing and manufacturing a range of high-tech, functional fabrics. He developed and lead the History of Science in Europe study-abroad course at Bethel since 2008, sharing with over 300 students on 13 different trips, his fascination with science and the historical and social context through which it has evolved. Wade grew up in Oregon and earned his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Wade is married to Rachel (history professor at St Catherine University) and enjoys rock concerts with his son, Liam (18), and skiing with his daughter, Lucy (16).
Dr. Ken Rohly was Professor of Biomaterials Chemistry at Bethel University for 34 years. In April 2021 he accepted a position as Senior Principal Materials Engineer at Medtronic, Inc., where he continues to pursue research on medical devices. He has traveled to Europe more than 20 times for research, business, personal interest, and for teaching the History of Science in Europe class at Bethel (three times). Ken also developed and taught (four times) a study-abroad science and technology course for New Zealand and will continue teaching it in the future. Ken is originally from northeast Ohio and earned his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. He enjoys traveling with his wife, Cindy, and he has three grown daughters, four grandchildren, and three granddogs.
Cindy Rohly grew up in South Central Michigan and attended Spring Arbor University, earning a B.S. degree in Physical Education and Recreation. In the 1980s she worked at a Jewish Nursing Home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, organizing activities for the residents for four years before moving to Minnesota. Cindy retired in 2021 after working for Presbyterian Homes, in the Twin Cities, for 16 years. She has been traveling overseas since she was 17 years old and has a passion to learn about the history, science, culture and people from other countries. Cindy enjoys time with her husband, 3 daughters, 4 grandkids and 3 granddogs. She loves to cook, golf, participate in aquatic classes, and spend weekends with her husband, Ken, at their cabin in Wisconsin.
History of Science Tours 