Before joining Samford’s faculty, Chris Pursell was a chemistry professor at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, for 26 years and chair of the department for seven years. He is the author or co-author of numerous articles in his field and has a longtime interest in spectroscopy.  Currently his research projects include a study of the physical and chemical properties of metal nanoparticle catalysts. Pursell has been married for 36 years, and has three married children and seven grandkids. Pursell felt God’s calling to be a professor and to represent Christ in higher education when he was in college.

Degrees

PhD, University of Chicago

BS, California State University – Sacramento