CONWAY, Ark. (November 15, 2013) – From salamanders to
soccer and medicine to masks, Hendrix students and faculty will travel the
world serving others, conducting research, and exploring their interests,
thanks to $67,738.25 in Odyssey grants.
The Committee on Engaged Learning (CEL) awarded Odyssey
grants to 21 faculty and student projects in the October 2013 cycle.
The grand total for funding since the Odyssey Program’s
inception in 2005 is $2.485 million.
The grant recipients from the October 2013 Odyssey grant
cycle are:
CeCe Collins ‘15 and Lucas Tenbrook ‘15
Promoting Food Sovereignty Through Sustainable Farming
Category: Global Awareness
CeCe Collins ’15 and Lucas Tenbrook ’15 will travel to Isla de Ometepe,
Nicaragua, to work with Project Bona Fide. The organization promotes organic
farming, reforestation and fair trade markets and other projects to provide a
sustainable lifestyle. “Many communities in Nicaragua have the land and labor
available to provide cheaper, fresher and more nutritious food locally, but
they lack the knowledge, education, and support about why this would actually
be a better option for them,” they said. An added bonus is experiencing the
sustainability movement of another culture and comparing it with the United
States.
Robert Durante ’15 and Scarlet Smith ’15
True Face: Exploring the Mask
Category: Artistic Creativity
“During the Italian Renaissance, masks were an integral element of the
theatrical style known as Commedia Dell’ Arte,” said Robert Durante and Scarlet
Smith. For their project, they will each make three masks. After researching historical
styles and techniques, they will make a leather mask in the original theatrical
way. Next they will fashion masks based on an exploration of their own personal
styles and abilities. Last, they will create abstract thematic masks,
realizations from their own imaginations. They will offer a brief performance
on campus to bring their masks to life.
Laura Gressler ’15
Healthcare in Zimbabwe
Category: Special Projects
Laura Gressler would like to work with Doctors without Borders after she
graduates from medical school. The organization provides medical aid to regions
of the world where people do not have access to treatment. To understand how
medicine differs in other countries, she will volunteer at Mpilo Hospital in
Zimbabwe. She will work with Dr. Alexander von Paleske, a German oncologist. “I
will explore what it is like to work in a hospital in a location that faces
many different challenges and does not have access to as many resources as
American hospitals,” Gressler said.
Eva Harpst ’14, Saranya Prathibha ’14 and Neelam Vyas ’14
Embracing Amma: A Journey of Self-Discovery through Spiritual,
Vocational and Academic Growth
Category: Special Projects
This winter Eva Harpst, Saranya Prathibha and Neelam Vyas will travel to
the ashram established by Amma, a spritual leader and guru, in Amritapuri,
India. “In the ashram community, members share a wealth of intellectual and
spiritual lessons that we would attend and contribute to on a daily basis,”
they said. Living in the ashram and interacting with Amma will be conducive to
their spritiual, academic and vocational growth as they learn more about
philosophy, religion, culture, health, service, meditation and gender roles.
Kacey Hight ’15
Serving through Soccer: Volunteering and Leadership in Escuintla,
Guatemala
Category: Special Projects
Coach Jim Evans and Hendrix soccer players Kacey Hight, Emma Paul,
Laurie Waters, Gregory Gandy, Alex Cummings, Eric Bracy and Nicole Rodriguez
will travel to the rural town of La Democracia in Escuintla, Guatemala, during
spring break. They will paint and repair Las Flores Elementary School, and each
day they will host a soccer camp for local children. Each child will receive a
nutritious food care package to take home daily. The team members will use their
expertise in soccer as they interact with the local youth, learn the
significance of service to the world, and broaden their cultural awareness.
Kris Nickel ’14
What is Art?
Special Projects
Kris Nickel will explore the concept of art in London, particularly
whether graffiti in a public space is considered a form of art. An important
aspect of her project is researching the contemporary culture in England before
she travels. “To develop my understanding of the culture more, I will be
collecting information the entire time while in London, which will include
graffiti specific research conducted through a tour and study of graffiti
areas,” Nickel said.
Kristen O'Connell ’15
Effects of prenatal steroids on the fatigue properties of breathing
muscles
Category: Undergraduate Research
Kristen O’Connell will travel to the 2014 Society for Integrative and
Comparative Biology conference in Austin, Texas, to present biochemical
research. “This experience is invaluable to me because it will improve my public
speaking skills as well as my ability to present scientific research in a
logical, concise manner that others can easily understand,” O’Connell said.
Leala Rosen ’14 and Rachel Head ’14
Food Aid in Nicaragua
Category: Special Projects
Leala Rosen and Rachel Head will volunteer with the Council of
Protestant Churches of Nicaragua (CEPAD), a non-profit that focuses on food
security. “Through CEPAD, we would work directly with small farmers in
Nicaragua, learning about the ways they handle food insecurity through
sustainable agricultural techniques and crop diversity,” they said. By living
with a host family, they will also see the impact of food insecurity’s effect
in the community.
Tyler Webb ’14
Intersections: A Look at Science and Its Relation to Ethics
Category: Special Projects
Tyler Webb’s project has the goal of getting science students to discuss
ethics and how ethical codes relate to science. “I feel that being a good
scientist necessitates understanding why we do what we do and how our actions
affect the scientific community and world at large,” Webb said. He will focus
on students in physics, biology, chemistry, computer science and psychology. In
their discussion series, participants will read texts, case studies and
articles from both ethics and science.
Tyler Webb ’14
Electromagnetic Radiative Corrections on the Queak Experiment
Category: Undergraduate Research
Tyler Webb has been working with Dr. Damon Spayde on a research project
that he will present at the 2014 meeting of the American Physical Society in
Savannah, Ga. “My project is part of a multi-institutional collaboration; I can
display that Hendrix professors and students are taking part in large-scale,
important scientific endeavors,” Webb said.
Kaitlyn Zamzow ’15
Researching to Determine if Salamanders Native to Arkansas have been
Exposed to Chytrid Fungus
Category: Undergraduate Research
The Chytrid fungus causes the skin of affected amphibians to thicken.
“This is a major concern because amphibians absorb many essential nutrients
through their skin,” said Kaitlyn Zamzow. Nutrient deficiencies can cause the
death of the animal. She will conduct research in the Ouachita Mountain region
of Arkansas to see if native salamander populations show signs of Chytrid
fungus by collecting swab samples and sending them off for diagnostic testing.
She hopes that her results can help prepare conservation efforts to protect
salamanders from the effects of the fungus.
Rachel Zweig ’15 (Recipient of the Professor Stephen Kerr Odyssey Endowment)
Business Plan Competition
Category: Professional and Leadership Development
Students who participate in business plan competitions learn what is
required to launch a knowledge-based, high-growth company and how to obtain
funding for their business. Rachel Zweig is interested in entrepreneurship
along with science and technology, and she is formulating a business combining
these areas for automated tissue sampling technology for pathology labs.
“Writing the business plan will require much group work, often in the context
of quick deadlines and stress, which will help me to learn how to work
effectively and efficiently with others,” she said.
Prof. Rynnett Clark
Student Teaching Fuel Supplement
Category: Professional and Leadership Development
Rising fuel costs have placed a burden on student teachers who must
commute for their placements. Travel is often required both out of necessity
and also in order that our student teachers may experience different
communities and school situations. The Odyssey grant will help defray some of senior
Kathryn Armstrong’s mileage expenses.
Prof. Cheri Prough DeVol and Dr. Connie Campbell
Student Participation at the 2014 USITT (United States Institute for
Theatre Technology) Conference and Stage Expo
Category: Special Projects
Prof. Cheri DeVol and Dr. Constance Campbell will take twelve students
to the United States Institute for Theatre Technology Conference and Stage Expo
in March. They will attend seminars and presentations by innovators in
theatrical design and technology. The students will also have the opportunity
to submit costume, scenery, and lighting designs for adjudication.
Prof. Melissa Gill
SGC International Conference
Category: Special Projects
Prof. Melissa Gill and six printmaking students will attend the Southern
Graphics Council (SGC) International Conference in San Francisco this March.
They will attend lectures, discussion panels, technical demonstrations, and
exhibits. At the SGC Student Open Portfolio session, they will present their creative
work to the public.
Dr. Liz Gron
Chemistry Department Student Travel to American Chemical Society Spring
National Meeting to Present Research
Category: Undergraduate Research
Michael Tarne ’14, Aline Umuhire-Juru ’15, Robert Nshimiyimana ’15, and
Robert Rurangwa ’15 will present the results of their research at the American
Chemical Society National Meeting in March. The students will see their results
in context of the greater society of chemical scholars, see cutting-edge
chemical results presented, and become better acquainted with the aspects of
being a professional chemist.
Dr. Maureen McClung and Dr. Matt Moran
Land Use Impact From Gas Development in the Fayetteville Shale
Category: Undergraduate Research
Brandon Cox ’16 and Rachel Wells ’15 will work with Dr. Maureen McClung
and Dr. Matt Moran to research land use changes from natural gas drilling. They
will assess the amount of land devoted to forest, pasture, buildings, and roads
before Fayetteville Shale activity began in the state with the present
conditions now that drilling has slowed.
Prof. Maxine Payne
Society for Photographic Education, 51st Annual Conference Attendance
Category: Special Projects
Prof. Maxine Payne will take 11 student members to the
Society for Photographic Education Conference. The theme this year is
“Collaborative Exchanges: Photography in Dialogue” to encourage forging
relationships with other artists, writers, and communities to create hybrid
ideas. Each student will take a portfolio of at least 15 prints to show at the
conference and will serve as an official volunteer.
Dr. Damon Spayde
Travel to 2014 April Meeting of the American Physical Society
Category: Undergraduate Research
This grant will allow Dr. Damon Spayde to accompany physics students to
present research at the American Physical Society meeting in Savannah, Ga., in
April. He will supervise, mentor and assist the students at the conference.
Dr. Jose Vilahomat and Prof. Irmina Fabricio
Aspects of Nicaraguan Health System: Kidney Transplantation, Past and
Present
Category: Special Projects
Sarah Eddington ’15, Zack Hausle ’14, Youmna Moufarej ’14,
Victoria Resendez ’15, Ples Spradley ’14 and Anne Vogt ’15 will go on a six-day
exploration of Nicaragua with Dr. Jose Vilahomat and Prof. Irmina Fabricio. The
students will immerse themselves in the language, geography and culture of the
country while interacting with skilled medical professionals who will provide
insight into Nicaragua’s healthcare system, the history of kidney
transplantation in the country.
Dr. Ann Wright
Women in Physics Conference
Category: Special Projects
Dr. Ann Wright and Dr. Amalia Anderson will take a group of female
students to the Undergraduate Women in Physics Conference at Louisiana State
University in January. They will explore career opportunities for physicists,
tour national labs, attend research presentations and discussion panels and
network with others in the field.
Founded in
1876, Hendrix College is a national leader in engaged liberal arts and sciences
education. For the sixth consecutive year, Hendrix was named one of the
country’s “Up and Coming” liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report. Hendrix
is featured in the latest edition of Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools
That Will Change the Way You Think about Colleges, as well as the 2014 Princeton Review’s The Best 378 Colleges, Forbes magazine's
list of America's Top Colleges, and
the 2014 Fiske Guide to Colleges. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist
Church since 1884. For
more information, visit www.hendrix.edu.