“The fact that two professors still want to use it [after 53 years] is gratifying,” says Professor Emeritus of Biology and Environmental Science Dr. Del VanderZee.
For more than 50 years, Ƶ biology students have learned the foundations of botany with the help of Laboratory Studies in General Botany, a textbook authored by Professor Emeritus of Biology and Environmental Studies Dr. Delmar (Del) VanderZee. Now co-authored with ƵProfessor of Biology Dr. Jeff Ploegstra (’99) and Dr. Michael Schiebout (’96) of Union University (Tennessee), the book keeps playing a central role in the classroom—and, this fall, will be offered digitally to Ƶstudents through its Canvas platform.
“The lab manual has been a real gift,” says Ploegstra. “It guides students to look closely at the botanical creation with an eye towards both appreciation and understanding. I appreciate that it is locally adapted to our landscape and that Del was willing to work with me to get it integrated into Canvas to reduce production costs, reduce waste, and improve the student experience. Del has been hugely influential in my development as a Christian scientist, and I can hear his voice when I read the introductions to the various labs.”
VanderZee first developed the book in 1973 out of a desire to provide students with a resource tailored to the unique prairie and woodland ecosystems of Northwest Iowa. “I wrote it partly because the books I was using were good, but I had to change so much to fit our particular situation,” says VanderZee. “I felt something specifically written that reflected the flora and fauna of our community would be useful.”
The textbook, now in its seventh edition, has been used for 53 years. It is full of illustrations, color photos, review sheets, and lab exercises. It has also been adopted by Union University since 2012, where Schiebout added tree identification sections highlighting Tennessee’s landscape. Together, the book’s revisions have expanded its scope while maintaining its original emphasis: seeing God’s creation firsthand, not just in pictures.
“The fact that two professors still want to use it is gratifying,” says VanderZee.
About Ƶ
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Ƶ equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Ƶis a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
"Highlights this fall include newly completed student cottages that foster modern, community-focused living; a redesigned Media Lab and mezzanine classrooms with updated learning environments; and a new nursing lab to accommodate a growing student body."
Related Events