Periplus Summer 2010

Summer Internship, Seaside Style By Julienne Beblo ’12

I interned for ten weeks at the North Carolina Aquari-um on Roanoke Island in the education department. I was able to help the U. S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service band

baby pelicans and I watched a spotted dolphin necropsy. Of course, I also got to work every day with some rather amaz-ing animals including various snakes, turtles, frogs, two baby alligators, and a loggerhead sea turtle. I was also re-sponsible for designing and presenting a project that the aquarium could use for educational purposes. It was such a great experience and I could not believe the number of things that I was able to do in only a few weeks.

PERIPLUSA circumnavigation; a voyage or journey round a coastline;

an epic journey, an odyssey

HONORSSCHOLARSPROGRAM

Volume 4, Issue I,Summer 2010

IN THIS ISSUEPgs. 2-3 Travel Abroad

Pg. 4-5 The Linguists, Gilman Scholarship, and Honors in Wales

Pg.6 Alumni News, Partners in Parks

Pg.7 Spring Graduates

¡Hola Chile! By Laura Newberry ’13 In June of 2010 I braved the nine hour flight with 25 other stu-dents as well as Profes-sor Rider and her hus-band. Stepping off the plane, I saw mountains covered in mist before a carpet of green after the asphalt of the runway. I lived with a mother and her two children in the heart of Viña del Mar, a small city seated right next to its older sister city, Valparaiso. Within Viña and Valparaiso, we could go anywhere from Jumbo, a large department-type

store, to the ferias, which are small street markets where you can find gloves and hats made of alpaca wool and other similar items. On a weekend excursion we went to an alpaca farm and learned wool has over 22 natural colors. We also spent a day in Santiago, the capi-tal city of Chile, visiting various landmarks and learning more of the his-tory of Chile. Our last excursion was to the Ocoa National Park, where we hiked and saw Chilean palms which, although they look like

palm trees, are acually a type of grass. Later we had an outdoor barbecue bonfire with songs. I think that was my favorite moment in Chile - standing in front of a bonfire, watching my new friends dance to the music and look-ing up at the full moon.

Wales Meets Dr. Who By Alex Marden ’11

No one speaks in Welsh universities, even when professors ask direct questions. I felt like all the other students at Swansea University must have found me incredibly irritating, because I was always the only person answering questions. However, I was taking a class called Television Writers: Prime-time Drama, which is essentially the class I’ve been wanting to take since I was in diapers, so I suppose it was expected for me to be quite vocal in class. Kendra Granniss and I took a day trip to Cardiff to see the Doctor Who exhibition. It’s this fantastic tiny museum exhibit in a shopping mall, where they have the costumes and props and sets from the last few years of the series. There are several pictures of me, standing next to the Doctor’s suit, beaming like a four-year-old at Christmas. I had an incredible semester, and I’m still stunned that I had the opportunity to do this.

Seahawk in Spain By Jeffrianne Wexler-Gutsin ’13

Over spring break, I was lucky enough to travel to Spain with the Honors Program. Although we had seen pictures and done research, nothing could have prepared me for the true beauty and rich culture that I saw. From the holy city of Toledo to the ancient fortress Alhambra, the culture and history of Spain continued to impress us all. Dr. Vibeke Olson led the tour alongside our Spanish guide and offered a dif-ferent perspective. Jorge was an amazing tour guide, but we would have been overwhelmed with informa-tion without Dr. Olson. In the year that I have been a Seahawk, the Honors Program has gone above and beyond in the opportunities it has provided. The trip to Spain went beyond my expectations, and I thank the Honors Program for giving me this opportunity.

Des Voyages DélicieuxBy Tiffany Strickland ’11

French pâtisser-ies, Belgian waffles, Spanish oranges, Costa Rican pineapple juice, and honey from everywhere. During my semester in Le Havre, France, when I wasn’t in class at the Université du Havre, I was mostly grocery shopping. My most frequently purchased items became an itiner-ary for the traveling I would do throughout

the semester. From my base in northern France, I visited Brussels by rental car, flew to Costa Rica, and found myself in Toledo, Spain by redirection due to Icelandic volcanic ash. Missing the excitement of travel also means missing the food. Apple turnovers just aren’t the same as chaussons aux pommes, and no crescent roll will ever amount to a croissant.With my dissatisfac-tion with any “French” bread found in the States, I believe we should recognize some sort of post-parting boulangerie affliction, known in lay terms as baguette snobbery. It must be time for me to take out my French pastry cookbook and keep it out until my next trip overseas. While my groceries gave me the first taste, my travels the first bite, these brief jaunts were not enough to really experience the full flavor of the countries I visited. Instead, they just whet my appetite for more travel.

Not Your Average Family ReunionBy William ‘Xander’ Perez ’13

For me, visiting Cuba was like filling a blank page of my father’s family history. The pictures are from Bayamo where my Uncle Jesus lives. They show La Plaza de Bayamo, a place where my grandfather and

my Uncle Andres used to party when they were young. They used to dance in the Municipal Palace and visit the art museum there. This visit also taught me a lot about the nature of human kindness and the transcendent power of joy. The people of Cuba (my family included) live under a harsh dictatorship amidst abject poverty, yet the smiles on their faces as they shared what meager meals they could with us were full of happiness. It got me thinking, when was the last time I had experienced such a smile in the United States (a place where we, for the most part, are surrounded by so much)? I returned to the U.S. humbled and filled with a profound sense of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Sea Turtle SymposiumBy Vanessa Bezy ’10 The Sea Turtle Symposium took place from April 26 to 30, 2010 in Goa, India. I attended with Jean Beasley, the director of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, as my mentor. I was awarded a travel grant by the Center for Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellow-ship and the International Sea Turtle Society, which provided me with an initial sum and a small stipend for the week. The week was full of very interesting presenta-tions covering all topics from sea turtle biology and conservation to education and community outreach. I presented my honors thesis research in a poster presentation where I discussed the philopatric nest-ing behaviors relevant to conservation that were observed in sea turtles at Bald Head Island, NC from 1991 to 2000. My research was well- received and many encouraged my interests to fur-ther my study and expand it to other beaches on the east coast with similar data available. Following the symposium, I was invited to visit southern India by Dr. Supraja Dharini of the Tree Foundation. She took us to Chennai where we

visited a temple and a crocodile conservation site. We were also invited to attend the International Marine Biodiversity Conservation Festival and see some impressive projects and presentations com-pleted by local school children. From there we went to visit a wildlife preserve at a national park near the Kabini River. There we were able to see some amazing wildlife (elephants, leopards, tigers, mon-keys, wild boars, wild dogs, spotted dear, peacocks) in their natural environment. This trip was truly an amazing experience and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to visit India.

Scholarship-funded Study in the Dominican RepublicBy Jaha Naeem Gitonga ’11 I recently returned home to the US after spending nine months in the Dominican Republic where I attended four local universities in Santo Domingo as part of my study abroad experience. The experience was unfor-gettable; I improved my language skills, made life-long friends, and learned lessons about life which I will always remember and appreciate. I encour-age all students who wish to enrich their college experience to study abroad and take advantage of the Gilman International Scholarship, if eligible. The Gilman Scholarship is awarded to students in good academic stand-ing, who have been accepted or are applying to an international program in a country approved by the US Department of State, which will last longer than four weeks, and are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. For more infor-mation about this scholarship visit the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship home page at www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program.

Endangered Languages: The Linguists at UNCW The Honors Scholars Spring Speaker Series fea-tured linguist David Harrison and filmmaker Seth Kramer’s acclaimed film, The Linguists, at UNCW’s Burney Center Feb. 24. The speakers also particpated in class discussions and gave guest lectures to UNCW students. The Linguists follows David Harrison and Gregory Anderson, scientists racing to document languages on the verge of extinction. Their round-the-world journey takes them deep into the heart of the cultures. Scien-tists estimate that of 7,000 languages in the world, half will be gone by the end of this century. On average, one language disappears every two weeks. David Harrison is assistant professor of linguistics at Swarthmore College where he also teaches courses in anthropology and cognitive science. He is the direc-tor of research and co-founder of the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages. He received his doctorate from Yale University in 2000. His disserta-tion describes the language of Tuvan nomads of South Siberia, where he spent a year in the field living with nomads, learning the language, and absorbing the cul-ture. He has carried out fieldwork in Russia, Mongolia, the Philippines, India, Bolivia, and Native America.

His recent book is When Languages Die: The Extinction of Human Languages and the Erosion of Human Knowledge. Filmmaker, producer and director Seth Kramer has been producing, writing, and directing award-winning documentaries for more than a decade. Seth co-founded Ironbound Films in 2003 and co-directed, co-shot, and co-edited The Linguists. Ironbound Films is notable for such productions as Moment in Time, a short documentary that premiered as the centerpiece of ESPN’s Olympic coverage, and the America Rebuilds series for PBS, which investigated the engineering, busi-ness, and politics of reconstruction at the World Trade Center site. Kramer was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Historical Pro-gramming for Resistance: Untold Stories of Jew-ish Partisans (PBS, 2002).

Honors Semester Abroad: Tales From SwanseaBy Jim Herstine, PhD

I knew I had stumbled upon something special when I was chosen to represent UNCW as the resident faculty director for the Honors Semster Abroad at Swansea University, spring 2010. Adventures the students and I shared included a Swansea University sponsored day trip to Mumbles, the “Big Pit” and Car-diff, Wales; a trip to the Avebury Stones and Stonehenge in Eng-land; an outing to a professional rugby match at the Swansea City Stadium—Liberty Stadium; attendance at a performance of the Welsh National Dance Company; attendance at a professional performance of the 2 FaCeD Dance Company at the university auditorium on cam-pus; a visit to the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea; a day field trip to explore several Welsh castles and eat a traditional Welsh dinner at one of the castles; a half day adventure boat trip from Mumbles to the Gower Peninsula; and, a farewell dinner at the on-campus Pub on the Pond. We all had a fantastic time at each of these events, most of which were part of the curriculum for the Honors Enrichment Seminar that I taught. These events and activities were taking place at the same time that classes were in session. Most of the students from UNCW were enrolled in the Swansea University semester internship program and an additional 14 hours of classroom courses. All of the students were taking courses offered directly by Swansea University, taught by the uni-versity faculty and completely transferrable for full credit to UNCW. Oh, by the way. Did I mention that we had a four week spring break! The students went to Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Swit-zerland - just to mention some of the places. Even the chaos caused by the erupting volcano in Iceland did not dampen spirits.

In addition to the spring break trips, there were countless opportuni-ties for exploring other locations in Wales, the United Kingdom, Africa and Europe. My wife and I travelled to the Canary Islands, Egypt, Ireland, N. Ireland, England, Scotland, and France. We visited over 30 standing castles in Wales alone! The students took trips to Dublin, Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day as well as excursions to the Netherlands and other destina-tions throughout Europe. Transporta-tion out of Swansea to other UK and European locations was easy and convenient. Probably one of the most sig-

nificant impressions made upon the students was the lasting friendships and relationships they developed with the other students at Swansea. Swansea University is truly an international university campus with students from all over the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The Swansea experience was a cultural smorgasbord! Language was never an issue at Swansea or during travels to other countries. It is amazing how many people speak English and as Americans we were fully welcomed everywhere we went. I can only repeat and emphasize what every UNCW student who travelled with me to Swansea for the spring 2010 semester stated to me over and over again: I am so glad I made the decision to study abroad at Swansea University. I have matured and grown so much as a result of this experience. I am a changed person and it is definitely for the better. I will never forget this experi-ence. THANK YOU!

Exploring the Outer Banks By Bill Atwill, PhD

The surf beyond the dunes boomed on a starlit night. The wind pressed against the walls of the tents and the sweep and flash of Hatteras Light held off sleep for 14 honors students from 10 different colleges and universities. This was their first night of experiential learning at its most elemental, camping on the Outer Banks as part of a Partners in the Parks project organized by UNCW’s Honors Scholars Program. Throughout the week of May 15-21, UNCW sophomores Molly Ryan and Dylan Figlo and the other students from as far away as Maine, Iowa, and Texas, explored deserted beaches and dunes, pulled seine nets in cold surf, climbed lighthouses, cooked meals on camp stoves, helped preserve shipwrecks, and even witnessed a whale necropsy. One part outdoor adventure and one part outdoor labo-ratory, Partners in the Parks lets students spend their days in field seminars led by UNCW faculty and National Park Service staff, learning about the history, resources and challenges of managing an environmentally sensitive National Seashore. This week-long project was one of sev-en offered nationwide as a cooperative endeavor between the National Collegiate Honors Council and the National Park Service in 2010. Integrating the honors students participating in the project into the workings of the National Park Service and its role in managing resources at a place like Cape Hatteras National Seashore is at the core of this educational experi-ence. They were not just touring a park, they were discovering the environmental and cultural tensions at work in any natural ecosystem under the stress of recreational use. They were also living close to the land they were exploring and building close friendships through their shared experiences as honors students.

Alumni NewsHannah Dela Cruz Abrams (B.A. English ’02, M.F.A. creative writing) received the 2010 Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer’s Award. Abrams, a for-mer student and current lecturer in the English department at UNCW, is currently writing a memoir, “The Following Sea,” about her unusual childhood, spent partly aboard a yacht in the South Pacific with her family.

Leo Hageman (B.A. film studies ’10) completed his honors project film, “Twice as Bright,” which

made it to the second round of regional finals in the 37th Student Academy Awards. The film was among the top ten regional finalists

Tony Kaufman (B.S. marine biology ’10) and Stuart G. Borrett published “Ecosystem network analysis indicators are generally robust to parameter uncertainty in a phosphorus model of Lake Sid-ney Lanier, USA,” in Ecological Modelling, Volume 221, Issue 8, 24 April 2010.

Catherine Starek (B.A. music education ’10) Starek’s honors the-sis, “A Testament to the Esterházy

Culture: Franz Joseph Haydn and His Compositions for Three Musical Clocks,” was selected by the Honors Advisory Committee as UNCW’s nominee for the Na-tional Collegiate Honors Council Portz Scholar award. Catherine was busy this summer working as an intern for the North Carolina Symphony where she developed music education curriculum. She is now continuing her involve-ment with the symphony and working part time as a beginning piano instructor at the Friends School of Wilmington.

Congratulations to Our Spring 2010 Graduates!

1. Tyler Goodwin and Sarah Fann 2. Quinn Lawlor and friend 3. Catherine Starek speak-ing with Sherrill Martin, PhD.

University Honors with Honors in... Anthropology: Erin Rhodes Biology or Marine Biology: Vanessa Bezy, Lucas Couch, Sarah Fann, Whitney Knapp, Thomas Nelson, Robert Nowicki, Anna Robuck, Kelley Salvesen, Anna Tom-merdahl Chemistry: Christina Dunkin, Tylet Goodwin, Catherine Luquire, Luke McMurtray, Jeffrey Naro Computer Science: Benjamin Jamieson Communication Studies: Gabrielle Carr Creative Writing: Caroline Huber Education: Caitlin Brooks, Amanda Hannah English: Autumn Beam Environmental Studies: Anna Moorefield Finance: Gregrey Files, Margaret Gelin, James Holland Film Studies: Patricia Brown, Ivan Christo, Jonathon Gilpin, Amanda Lockhart, Carolyn Maher, Amy Metheny, Anne Purcell History: Rachel Adgate Mathematics: Nicole Rocco Music: Catherine Starek Nursing: Olivia Reeves, Jessica Stauffer Philosophy: David Wappel Political Science: William Henley Psychology: Kathleen Casto, Jacqueline Hutton, Justin Ingram Religion: Jamie Brummitt Spanish: Heather Creech

Honors in… Biology or Marine Biology: Ivan Alger, Kerry Baumann, Grant Bunch, Myles Fenske, Laura Hiles, Kaitlin Johnson, Abigail Michenfelder, Alexandra Perillo, Emily Probst, Curtis Weychert Chemistry: Sonal Lakhani Communication Studies: Alexandra Manno, Stephanie Saulsbury, Tiffani Skandier Education: Jenny Hunnicutt, Erin Savidge Environmental Sciences: Jessica Makowski French: Stephanie Karampelas Film Studies: Joselyn McDonald, Brandon Smith Nursing: Lisa Chambers, Ashley Fields, Hillary Hutto, Jessica Kot, Quinn Lawlor, Megan McMurry, Alison Rapp, Hannah Spangler Phys-ics: Chelsea Hopkins, Erik Minges Psychology: Daryn Blanc-Goldhammer, Jamie Chaffman, Brian Hartigan, Nicole Merrigan, Meghan Reeves, Rachel Smith, Omar Vidal Social Work: Kara Zimmerman Theatre: Elizabeth Ray

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Please make checks payable to UNCW and mail to: Advancement Services, UNC Wilmington, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403-5905

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Periplus Staff Christine Stark - EditorTiffany Strickland - EditorBill Atwill - AdvisorPhotos by Jamie Moncrief and Honors students

The Honors Scholars Program

UNCW601 South College RoadWilmington NC, 28403

www.uncw.edu/honors910-962-4181

In Your Corner: Kate Bruce The focus of this issue is experi-ential learning in its best sense. At UNCW you have unique opportunities to create your own personalized hands-on learning. From summer internships to study abroad to discussions with eminent scientists and filmmakers, this type of learning and engagement is a hallmark of the honors experience. The diversity of opportunities is amaz-ing and inspiring. So, what will you do with your next summer vacation? Take a chance and you may change the course of your life.

Note from the Editors: Beginning with this issue, Periplus will be predominantly a student-generated publication. We are excited to take this opportunity to create the Honors newsletter by compiling and editing stories. But we need your contribution! If you have any news, stories, or pictures to share, or if you wish to help write and edit the newsletter, please con-tact one of the Honors directors or one of us: Tiffany Strickland ’11 [email protected] Christine Stark ’13 [email protected]