During the summer of 2013 six IUPUI students had the experience of a lifetime studying, volunteering, and working with an indigenous community of fewer than 300 people in Nanwalek, Alaska, during a three-week Anthropology and Museum Studies Field Experience. Following the summer experience the group planned and hosted a public presentation about the experience for an audience of 50 people which proved to be an experience as well.

The School of Liberal Arts students who participated in the Field Experience and fall presentation were: Caitlin Kegley, a second-year masters student studying Anthropology; Megan Elmore, a senior Anthropology major; Vickie Stone, a non-degree seeking graduate student; Alyssa Boge, a first year graduate student pursing a degree in Museum Studies; Daniel Bennett, a first-year Anthropology major; Tyler Coxey, an Anthropology student; Brianna McKnight, an Education student and Lauren Baker, a Museum Studies graduate student.

The students were responsible for every aspect of the public forum, from planning the venue, room set-up, and refreshments to publicity and seeking funding to pay for the event, to planning content, each person's part, and creating a video. The students said the presentation was all about telling the story of the adventure they had just been on. "The goal of our presentation was to share how meaningful and dynamic this experience was, and how much we learned from it, both academically and community-based," Elmore said.

$31,810 in Venture Fund Awards: