Kenyon students devote their summer to science

GAMBIER, Ohio (June 24, 2003)

This year's Kenyon Summer Science Scholars are pursing research in anthropology, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and psychology. Each is using a fellowship award of $3,000 and is participating in the processes of creating a research plan, executing the project, and preparing results for publication and presentation in a public forum. Winning project proposals ranged from the study of "Reproductive Energetics of the House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)" to "Semigroup Theory: Generalizations of the exponential in abstract spaces."

Students working in various disciplines will come together throughout the summer for seminars and social activities. Adam Booth '03 participated in the program during the summer of 2002. His project involved experimental genetic analysis of plants. He worked closely with Assistant Professor of Biology Karen Hicks.

"I really feel that the summer science program is one
of the greatest strengths of the science departments at Kenyon," says Booth. "There simply is no substitute for the experience of working full-time on a project that you've designed yourself."

Hicks is impressed with Booth's progress. "This project has given Adam a lot of experience in terms of designing experiments, analyzing data, and troubleshooting when his experiments didn't work, which happens a lot with a new project," says Hicks. "And this experience will help him as he looks for a job and applies to grad school."

Associate Professor of Biology M. Siobhan Fennessy believes the summer science program is an invaluable experience. "It gives students a chance to run their own research project and to work closely with the science faculty and fellow students. The program is really a model of how professional scientists work."

Summer Science projects may be funded by the College or through research grants obtained by science faculty members. Students may also apply for funding for supplies used in experiments.

One of the nation's leading liberal arts and sciences colleges and home to the Kenyon Review, Kenyon College offers 1,550 students a challenging educational experience enriched by a culture of friendship. Graduates of the college have included actor and philanthropist Paul Newman and Pulitzer-prize winning author E. L. Doctorow.