Winthrop University, established in 1886, is a comprehensive learning university located 20 miles south of Charlotte, NC. During the fall of 2008, Winthrop had 4,490 full-time undergraduate students; 68.5% of undergraduates were women and 26.8% were African Americans. According to the 2009 U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings, Winthrop is among the South’s top 10 public universities that convey bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Winthrop’s mission includes “a commitment to be among the very best institutions of its kind in the nation.” Winthrop offers an ACS approved chemistry program with ACS degree tracks in chemistry, biochemistry, forensic chemistry, and chemistry-business. There are 125 chemistry majors, 11 chemistry faculty (3 who are biochemists) and two laboratory support staff. The primary chemistry program focus is undergraduate research; approximately 40% of chemistry graduates matriculate into PhD chemistry programs. Typically, 20 students and eight faculty participate in chemistry's summer research program. In 2002, Winthrop finished a complete modernization of all chemistry and biochemistry facilities. Department instrumentation available included 300 MHz NMR, MALDO-TOF, LC/MS/MS, GC/MS, cold room, cell culture room, and an NSF-funded molecular modeling laboratory.