Published July 13, 2018
Thriving Program
Wittenberg’s unique archaeology program has opened doors to exciting hands-on experiences both near campus and internationally, as evidenced by several summer opportunities for students.
A class of archaeology students, under the direction of Professor of History Darlene Brooks Hedstrom, spent the month of May in the Columbia St. Cemetery. Students collected and created records of the cemetery, dug up lost artifacts, and unearthed buried headstones in an effort to help the City of Springfield preserve the cemetery.
Additionally, thanks to a fund created by Nancy L. Benco ’66, a professional archaeologist, three students received scholarships to pursue summer archaeology programs. All three are participating in international research and fieldwork through the Institute for Field Research (IFR), continuing the university’s 100 percent admission rate into those programs.
Working with textiles, ceramics, and other artifacts, Abigail Fraker, class of 2019, is learning techniques in preservation and museology at the Museo Egizio or Museum of Egyptology in Turin, Italy.
Danielle Hurley, class of 2019, is honing her skills in surveying and excavation, archaeological drawing, and artifact curation and conservation at the Ferrycarrig excavation site in Ireland.
Paige Narciso, class of 2019, who has long been interested in early human beings, evolution, and Neanderthals, is exploring those interests in Budens, Portugal, while working on the Portugal Vale Boi project.
Green Dot
The Green Dot Bystander Intervention Program, which aims to prevent sexual, physical, and other power-based types of violence, was recently introduced to students, faculty, and staff at Wittenberg thanks to a grant received from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
HWA Update
Progress continues on the Health, Wellness and Athletics (HWA) facility. A major step in the project is expected to be completed this month: the raising of the steel for the new facility. The entire Wittenberg community is looking forward to this exciting occasion.
Teaching Excellence
Physics faculty Paul Voytas, Elizabeth George, 2014 Ohio Professor of the Year, and Jeremiah Williams are providing unprecedented research opportunities for students through national funding, while enhancing their own impressive research portfolios.
Since 2009, Williams has received three research grants from the National Science Foundation totaling nearly $975,000 to support his work with dusty plasma. Additionally, a recent grant from NASA, a collaborative effort with Auburn University, brings his research portfolio to more than $1 million. Because of his efforts, students are conducting world-class research in a manner that has only traditionally been available at large-scale, high-profile research institutions.
Thanks to two major grants totaling $255,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF), George and Voytas have also made new discoveries in their field, all while opening doors for their students to participate in advanced research projects. Xavier Davenport '18, who just graduated with majors in physics, music and Chinese, was one such beneficiary. He will soon begin a master’s program in electrophysics at National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan, where he plans to study quantum computing.
Alumni In The News / #LifeAfterWitt
Thanks to the power of the Wittenberg alumni network, Mecca Abdul-Aziz ’18 has landed her dream opportunity as the integrated marketing coordinator at Eastbay, a digital marketing company where John Shumate ’99 works as vice president of marketing.
Steve Snyder ’89 has been selected to serve as the brand and development director of Farm Aid. Best known as the longest-running benefit concert starring musicians such as Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews, the organization provides advocacy and support for family farmers.
Forward Momentum
Associate Professor Emeritus of Business Wayne Maurer passed away June 7, 2018. Recipient of the 2001 Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award, he taught at Wittenberg for 39 years, served as Grand Marshal, and could often be found working in the ticket booth for athletic events.