Laranda Collins

"I performed a 24-hour study of Pony Creek with three other classmates. This experience opened the door for an internship opportunity at Miami University of Ohio. I gained experience and a great deal of knowledge from this research and without the willing help of the faculty, I would not have been able to place this opportunity on my resume."

Anna Grady

"Camping out for 24 hours in October along Pony Creek was the coldest thing I have ever done for a class. With hourly samples, we really did not get any sleep, and we only managed to stay warm by virtue of the kindness of a religion professor whose back yard and firewood we used. The real lab experience helps me to understand what it takes to produce any scientific research and sympathize with all those who have to do the dirty work of hourly samples. My group was required to meet with our professor, Dr. Sweeten, frequently throughout the semester, and that mentorship is the greatest benefit of attending Manchester College, where professors take an interest in your lives. I had to understand something to the point that I could make it understandable for a German professor and a music professor at my group’s presentation for the Dean’s Symposium. Sure, I learned all about nice statistics and ecosystems, but I really benefited more from being given an opportunity to take full advantage of the brains of my professors and the resources of Manchester College."

Nate Stewart
"Over the summer, Jared Mobley and I did research on the Eel River specifically regarding the population of Smallmouth Bass (SMB). During the research, Jared and I gathered chemical and physical data from the river, searched for SMB nesting sites, filed a qualitative habitat evaluation index for the downtown section of the river, calculated a population estimation, and aged the SMB by clipping the first dorsal spine. The data was compiled and presentations have, and will, be given.

I got great hands on experience doing research that’s better than normal because of its practicality. Not only did I learn what can only be described as field-work etiquette, but I got to meet people who have lived their lives by doing what I got to do for a summer. I got to see the technology involved in collected stream flow data and learned about compiling extensive amounts of data, both in tabular form and through an extensive mapping program called ArcGIS. The summer internship has benefited me in more ways than I can write in this little blip, but nonetheless, it would be a vast understatement to say that this research was an awesome opportunity to experience. Experiencing leads to knowledgeable and informed choices."

Dr. David Hicks and Terry Michaelis
Collecting vegetation data for species occuring at Kokiwanee Nature Preserve near Lagro, Ind.

Dean's Scholorship Symposium

On March 9, 2007, students presented their original research to Glenn Sharfman, dean of academic affairs, and several other faculty evaluators. Topics included: smallmouth bass, distribution of black-capped and Carolina chickadees, anaerobic methane digesters on U.S. dairies, the use of escherichia coli and enterococcus faecalis concentrations as biological indicators in a second order agricultural stream near North Manchester, and male flight distribution of gypsy moths.

Pictured (left to right): Christopher Cosner, Dr. Jerry Sweeten, Elizabeth Strahammer, Emily Toole, Kyle Watson, Ashlee Light, and Jared Mobley.		History and German major Sam Cox (pictured right) and environmental studies major Jared Mobley (pictured left) each received The Jo Young Switzer Award for Excellence.
Pictured above (left to right): Christopher Cosner, Elizabeth Strahmmer, Emily Toole, Ashlee Light, Kyle Watson, Elizabeth Mishler, Zachary Blatz, and Jared Mobley.