Joseph Wilder arrived at Framingham State University with the goal of becoming a high school biology teacher. After successful completion of the biology major in under four years with an overall GPA of 3.24, and field studies at Ashland and Milford High Schools, Joe is now a student teacher at Dedham High School and is very close to reaching his goal of teacher licensure. Completion of this major requires tremendous planning, determination, and academic skills for any student, due to the challenge of completing a science major while making time for off-campus field studies and a full-time semester of student teaching.  For Joe, this challenge was amplified by the time he dedicated to playing on the FSU football team, including serving as captain his senior year, when he was also voted the 2017 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Football Offensive Lineman of the Year. Despite his demanding schedule, Joe has met every hurdle in his path with determination and a positive attitude. He also developed his skills as a scientist through two consecutive summer internships performing analytical chemistry research at Chemic Laboratories in Canton. Joe presented the results of his project, titled “Synthesis of Methyl Laurate via Lauryl Chloride Route” at the Biology Department Research Symposium in December 2017. Joe’s plans to teach in Massachusetts after graduation will allow him to share his expertise, leadership and enthusiasm for science and education with a new generation of students.