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Inside Eckerd: The Latest News
August 12, 2013
Greetings!
Autumn Term is upon us! As we welcome the students and families of the Class of 2017 into the Eckerd community, this issue reflects the summer activities of our returning students as well as the latest news from our alumni. We look forward to returning to your inbox each month and providing you with news and information about what's happening at Eckerd College.
Missed an issue? Visit the Inside Eckerd archives page to read past issues or invite a friend to join the mailing list. Help us build our Inside Eckerd network by sharing this email with your friends and family "outside Eckerd." Enjoy!
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Summer Opportunities Abound
Eckerd College students stay active year-round, especially during the summer. We are pleased to share the activities of 15 students whose majors and interests are being facilitated through fellowships and scholarships and cultivated through summer research projects and internship opportunities.
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Anna Elise Barnes '14 excavating the site of
Promtin Tai in central Thailand
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Click here for a roundup featuring:
Anna Elise Barnes '14, Thea Bartlett '16, Maria Castro '14, Kyle Cosentino '14, Jeremy Hoppe '15, Davis Johnson '15, Colin LaValle '15, Marielle Michel '14, Cassie Ochoa '14, Kristina Petraites '14, Elizabeth Rechenberg '14, Olivia Sadler '14, Corday Selden '14, Hannah Shapiro '14 and Chantal Van Ginkel '14.
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Eckerd in the Community
Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg
Described as "a rigorous private middle school for students qualifying for need-based scholarships in St. Petersburg, Fla.," the Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg enrolls students who attend school 11 hours a day, 6 days a week, 11 months a year. Over the years, Eckerd's Quest for Meaning capstone course for senior students and the Autumn Term "Into the Streets" initiative have provided Academy Prep with numerous volunteers, many of whom have become AmeriCorps teacher candidates and, eventually, full-time Academy Prep staff members. Additionally, some Academy Prep students have received scholarships to attend Eckerd's Summer Science Splash Camp and various field trips throughout the year. Eckerd also donated more than 100 desks at the start of Academy Prep's summer session.
This past year, students in Academy Prep teacher Deborah Kurelik's class wrote letters to Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Humanities at Eckerd since 1993. Professor Wiesel, whose experiences during the Holocaust are memorialized in his renowned book Night, sent the following inspirational note back to the students in care of Eckerd's President, Dr. Donald R. Eastman III:
Dear Students, Thank you for your kind letters ... From your words, it is obvious that you are all very sensitive to the darkness of which I wrote. Knowing that you and your classmates will never forget the tragedies of the past fills me with hope. You can use your knowledge and understanding to educate those who are unaware. You can make a difference in creating a new kind of century. Keep learning and reading, more and more.
With best, best wishes to all of you--and to your teacher Ms. Kurelik.
Elie Wiesel
School Supplies Collection--You Can Help!
Eckerd is collecting donated school supplies for Academy Prep students and teachers. The following supplies are in high demand:
- glue sticks
- 1-subject notebooks and composition notebooks
- 2-pocket folders and zipper binders
- pencils, pencil sharpeners and erasers
- pens, highlighters and washable markers
- hand sanitizer and tissues
- construction paper
- notebook paper
Supplies can be dropped off in bins in the offices of Human Resources, Student Affairs, Program for Experienced Learners (PEL), and Special Programs on the main St. Petersburg campus, and PEL's Tampa Center located at 1300 N Westshore Boulevard. Donations will be accepted through August 16.
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Inspired, a drawing by Sanderlin student
McKenna Minarcin, age 12
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James B. Sanderlin International Baccalaureate World School
The Visual Arts Council of the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College (ASPEC) is pleased to announce a new exhibit at Lewis House. The artwork of K-8 students at James B. Sanderlin International Baccalaureate World School will be on display through September 15. All are invited to join ASPEC in celebrating these young artists, their teachers and ASPEC's relationship with Sanderlin at the exhibit's opening reception on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 5-6 p.m.
ASPEC has enjoyed an ongoing relationship with Sanderlin as one of the school's Community Partners by mentoring students, tutoring in the classroom, volunteering for various tasks during the school year, and supporting student scholarships for Eckerd's Summer Science Splash Camp. Both Sanderlin and ASPEC were honored for their roles in the academic improvement the school has achieved when both received the City of St. Petersburg Mayor's Top Apple Award last spring.
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L-R: St. Petersburg City Council Chair Karl Nurse, Pinellas County Schools Board Chair Carol Cook, Sanderlin Principal Dr. Denise Miller, Sanderlin Former Assistant Principal Suzette Burns, ASPEC President Julia Lewis, ASPEC Director Ken Wolfe and Mayor Bill Foster
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In partnership with the Edible Peace Patch Project, Eckerd College students have been volunteering at Sanderlin as part of the school's Peace Patch Garden. ASPEC looks forward to strengthening the bond between Sanderlin and the Eckerd College community at all levels.
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Eckerd in the News
Actors compare American Stage's 'ART' to 'Seinfeld'
Tampa Tribune
8/09/13
Comments by Gavin Hawk, Associate Professor of Theatre NerdScholar 8/08/2013 Coverage of President Eastman's summer reading selections 8/02/2013
Comments by Community Tampa Bay, an EC Community Partner whose ANYTOWN diversity leadership sessions have been held at Eckerd for several summers
Gross point? Thanks!
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
8/01/2013
Column by Davis Johnson '15
Education News
8/01/2013
Op-ed by William F. Felice, Ph.D., Associate Dean of General Education and Professor of Political Science Killeen Daily Herald
7/27/2013
Eckerd hosts Duke University CRISIS program Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
7/26/2013
Review of Good Egg, A Simple Theatre's first production in Eckerd's Bininger Theatre and directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Gavin Hawk WFTS - ABC Action News
7/23/2013
Feature story about Community Tampa Bay, an EC Community Partner whose ANYTOWN diversity leadership sessions have been held at Eckerd for several summers Tampa Tribune
7/23/2013
Feature story about Morgan Crescent '15, goalkeeper for Eckerd Women's Soccer team Tampa Bay Times
7/22/2013
Review of Good Egg, A Simple Theatre's first production in Eckerd's Bininger Theatre and directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Gavin Hawk Tampa Bay Times
7/20/2013
Interview with Amanda Elend '06, writer and playwright whose musical Lost at Sea premiered in July at Largo Cultural Center Chicago Tribune
7/20/2013
Comments by Andrew Chittick, Ph.D., Letters Chair and E. Leslie Peter Professor of East Asian Humanities Tampa Bay Times
7/19/2013
Feature story about Becky Day '03 Dennis Lehane developed writing chops in Florida FORUM Magazine Summer 2013 Feature story (written by Assistant Professor of History Lee Irby) about novelist Dennis Lehane '88, who received the gold medal in the Florida Book Awards General Fiction category for Live by Night; coverage of Tracy Crow '02, former Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, who received the bronze medal in the General Non Fiction category for her memoir, Eyes Right: Confessions from a Woman Marine Amherst Bulletin
7/12/2013
Comments by Alexandra Hogan '14, a participant in the Better Future Project's Climate Summer program (founded by Craig Altemose '06) Young Entrepreneur
7/11/2013
Feature story about the Entrepreneurial Dimensions Profile (EDP), an assessment tool produced and distributed by Eckerd's Leadership Development Institute Marblehead Reporter
7/11/2013
Comments by Alexis Russell '14, a participant in the Better Future Project's Climate Summer program (founded by Craig Altemose '06) Tampa Bay Times
7/10/2013
Feature story about Good Egg, A Simple Theatre's first production in Eckerd's Bininger Theatre and directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Gavin Hawk Shakespeare Festival does "Love's Labour's Lost" San Luis Obispo Tribune
7/10/2013 Comments by Cynthia Totten, Ph.D., Professor of Theatre Original musical at Largo Cultural Center is a pirate romp Tampa Bay Times
7/09/2013
Review of world premiere production of Lost at Sea, a musical co-written by Amanda Elend '06 US Foods: Food Fanatics
7/07/2013 Coverage of the outdoor vertical hydroponic installation at Eckerd's Café Bon Appetit Tampa Bay Times
7/23/2013
Feature story on Penny Janowski, founder of Penny's Band Camp, which has been held at Eckerd each summer since 1972 The Huffington Post
7/02/2013
Coverage of the two typewriters owned by novelist and former ASPEC member James Michener Discover Magazine: Science Sushi
7/02/2013
Column by Christie Wilcox '07 Tampa Bay Newspapers
7/01/2013
Feature story about Good Egg, A Simple Theatre's first production in Eckerd's Bininger Theatre and directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Gavin Hawk The New York Times
6/15/2013
Coverage of Bill McKibben, environmentalist and Eckerd's 2013 Commencement speaker The St. Augustine Record
6/12/2013
Feature story about Lance Kearse '12, former Eckerd Men's Basketball team standout NerdScholar
6/10/2013
Interview with Nancy Smith, Ph.D., Natural Sciences Chair and Associate Professor of Biology and Marine Science The Huffington Post
6/04/2013
Coverage of Bill McKibben, environmentalist and Eckerd 2013 Commencement speaker The Gabber
6/04/2013
Feature story about Mia Williams '13
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Only at Eckerd
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 Welcome to the Class of 2017
As the newest members of the College community, the Class of 2017 will embark on the Autumn Term experience, one of the traditions that sets Eckerd apart from other colleges and universities. For the next three weeks, first-year students will begin the process of orientation to college level academic work, familiarize themselves with the resources and opportunities available through the College, get to know one another and bond as a class, and explore what it means to be a member of Eckerd's family of scholars.
Eckerd welcomed new freshmen and transfer students at the annual Ceremony of Lights, the kick-off event to Autumn Term.
 In the words of Eckerd College President Dr. Donald R. Eastman III, "Our aim as a College is to offer you an educational experience that will inform your knowledge and imagination about how to build a better world and to give you the confidence and courage to take on those challenges. We offer you a banquet here--a feast-- but you must demonstrate the discipline and the determination to enjoy it, to make it your own, and to prepare yourselves to lead lives of high achievement and noble purpose.
Summer Read: Katherine Boo's Behind the Beautiful Forevers
 Still looking for one more summer read? Pick up Katherine Boo's New York Times bestseller Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity, the Human Experience summer reading assignment for first-year students and a Quest for Meaning reading for seniors. Among the prizes Boo, a staff writer at The New Yorker, has received for her writing about disadvantaged populations are a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, a National Magazine Award for Feature Writing and a MacArthur "Genius" Grant. Behind the Beautiful Forevers is her first book.
 As the Class of 1968 Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Katherine Boo will deliver a free public lecture on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Fox Hall. All are welcome.
Sheen Center Renovations Look who's getting a makeover! A major initiative this summer has included renovations to the Sheen Center classrooms, offices, and computer labs and construction of new teaching and lab spaces for the College's Environmental Studies Program, Physics, Math and Computer Science. Sheen B, now housing Behavioral Sciences, was completed in time to hold Autumn Term classes. Sheen A lobby and Environmental Studies faculty offices and workspaces will be ready for use in the Fall Semester.
Best of Show: From Lewis House to the Morean Arts Center  EC Adjunct Art Professor Rose Marie Prins, won the Margaret Murphy Steward Best of Show award at the Morean Arts Center's 2013 Members Show for her mixed media work At Home in Body, Mind and Soul. Her winning piece, which first debuted at an ASPEC art exhibit in Lewis House last spring, is a combination of paint and soil from lands near and far. The Morean Arts Center exhibit will be on display through August 18.
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Where Are They Now? Samantha Bloomfield '12 Becky Day '03 Amanda Elend '06 Jeff Frazier '12 Megan Gumke '09 Rebecca Helm '07 Tessa M. Hill '99, Ph.D. Andrew Keane '10 Molly Rockamann '03 Roland Rodriquez '97 Matt Sexton '10  | | Banding an oyster catcher |
Samantha Bloomfield '12, who double-majored in marine science and visual arts, is a Biological Technician for U.S. Fish and Wildlife on the Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge. "By means of a governmental grant, I am working to aid in the protection of shorebirds--particularly piping plovers and roseate terns--on the shores of Nantucket, Massachusetts," Samantha explains. "This includes field surveys and data collection as well as community outreach and education of the importance of these birds to the natural ecosystem. Personally, I am developing a coloring-book project to create a hands-on learning tool for children in the area."
 At the end of August, Becky Day '03 will start a one-year fellowship to the remote Surkhet district of Nepal to counsel orphans. Becky, who majored in psychology, will build on her service-learning experiences at Eckerd by working as a guidance counselor and therapist at the Kopila Valley Children's Home and School, which mentors more than 300 children, many of whom lost their parents during the decade-long Nepalese civil war that ended in 2006. Click here to read an in-depth feature article published by the Tampa Bay Times.
 Nashville residents and writing team Amanda Elend '06 and her husband, Jason Tucker, returned to their Pinellas County roots in July to present Eight O'Clock Theatre's world premiere production of their original musical Lost at Sea. The storyline follows Alex Jones, a 12-year-old girl who deals with the death of her father through a fantasy world of swashbuckling pirates. While at Eckerd, Amanda double-majored in creative writing and American studies, made the Dean's List and received the senior American studies discipline award.
 Jeff Frazier '12, a current graduate student at Texas A&M Galveston, is one of four people working with Dr. Thomas Linton and doctoral student Captain Robert Webster on a pilot program focused on the creation of a stronger storm barrier system consisting of sand dunes anchored by the tons of seaweed that lands on Galveston beaches. Jeff, who credits the Chemistry and Physical Oceanography class taught by EC Professor of Marine Science and Chemistry David Hastings, Ph.D., for his transition into this work, describes his research: "My thesis involves the tracking of Sargassum seaweed which starts in the Atlantic, goes through the Caribbean and then onto the coasts of the Western half of the Gulf of Mexico or back out through the Florida Straits. Once the seaweed breaches the land, we pick it up with a 'baker rake'--compacted or 'baled' as we say in Texas--create a barrier with the dunes, and then cover it in sand to reduce degradation and increase the internal structure of the dune. This Associated Press article describes the pilot project in detail.
 Megan Gumke '09 has been named Regional Epidemiologist and Laboratory Liaison for the Florida Department of Health and will work out of the State's Orlando offices. For the last two years, Megan has worked as an epidemiologist for the Marion County Health Department in Ocala, Fla. Megan, who double-majored in anthropology and Spanish at Eckerd, earned a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida.
 "Mysterious giant pink blob off Cuba identified" reads the headline. Rebecca Helm '07, a doctoral student whose dissertation research is on jellyfish development and evolution, explained the blob as an egg mass of diamondback squid carrying anywhere from 35,000 to 75,000 eggs. While at Eckerd, the jellyfish expert majored in marine science (biology track), was a Ford Apprentice Scholar and received a Fulbright Fellowship to study oceanography in South Africa. Through a National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship, Rebecca began the Ph.D. program at Brown University's Dunn Lab in 2010. She recently published this article in BMC Genomics.
 Tessa Hill '99, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Geology at Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California, Davis, has received a five-year NSF Early Career Development Award in the amount of $613,000 to study the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems. NSF's Faculty Early Career Development Program supports junior faculty who perform outstanding research, are excellent educators, and integrate education and research in their work. Tessa received a B.S. degree in Marine Science from Eckerd.
Andrew Keane '10, a graduate student at University of Maryland, College Park, received a travel grant to interact with 35 Nobel Laureates at the 63rd Annual Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau, Germany, last July. Andrew was one of 73 top graduate student researchers from the U.S. to be selected through a competitive application process by the U.S. Department of Energy and Office of Science. Nearly 550 young researchers from 78 countries participated in the week-long meeting in Germany dedicated to chemistry. Andrew, who double-majored in physics and chemistry at Eckerd, is a former Triton sailor. 
St. Louis-based EarthDance Farms, which was founded by Molly Rockamann '03 (above right) in 2008, was recently named "Best Local Farm" by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for its inaugural Go! Magazine List. After Molly graduated from Eckerd with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, she studied at University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of the South Pacific. Molly's academic experience combined with her interactions with mushroom producers in Ghana, organic-rice farmers in Thailand, veggie farmers in Florida and California, and sugar-cane farmers in Fiji inspired her return to her hometown to preserve farmland and to celebrate the culture in agriculture. In 2009, Molly was listed on Mother Nature Network's 40 Farmers Under 40 list and received a Kick-Ass Award from 52nd City. She was named one of the "10 Most Dynamic St. Louisans" by Ladue News in 2010, and in 2011 she was the first recipient of the Young Food Leader category of the Natural Resource Defense Council's Growing Green Awards.
 Rolando B. Rodriguez '97 has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Marcus Theatres®, The Marcus Corporation's movie theatre division and the fifth largest movie theatre circuit in the U.S. Marcus has also been appointed Executive Vice President of the Milwaukee-based Marcus Corporation. After receiving his B.A. degree in Business Management through the Program for Experienced Learners (PEL), Rolando earned an MBA from Rockhurst University. He currently serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the National Association of Theatre Owners and has won numerous awards, including being named a Top 100 emerging leader by Diversity MBA magazine in 2009.
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Matt Sexton '10, who has established the very unique Keys Cable and Adventure Park in Marathon on Grassy Key, received a visit from Dean of Students Jim Annarelli, Ph.D.; his wife Anna; and children Josh '14 and Katie during their annual excursion to the Florida Keys. The park utilizes cable systems for wakeboarding, water-skiing and kneeboarding on a private tidal lake, in addition to providing more traditional watersports boat charters. Matt, who earned his degree with a Concentration in Cultural and Entrepreneurial Systems, was the founder of the Eckerd College Kiteboarding Club and Triton Kiteboarding and was the driving force in the establishment of the Collegiate Kiteboarding Association. Since graduation, he has been an international team rider for Slingshot Kiteboarding, has worked as a Slingshot wakeboard sales representative, and was highly instrumental in the research and development process for cable-specific wakeboards. Matt has been featured on the cover of Kiteboarding magazine.
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Tell Us What's Happening Do you have an idea for a news item, announcement or fun fact? Contact us (the Office of Marketing and Communications), and it may be featured in an upcoming issue. Don't forget, we're here to help. Check out our website--it's chock-full of resources just for you!
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