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Sweet Briar Alumnae Magazine Spring/Summep 2000 enser or ace ^ N > 'i ±3 A Messagefrom Sweet Briar the President Alumnae Magazine DearAlumnae and Friends, Inside Front AMessage from the President As Wilson Newman, thenchairmanofSBC's Boardof J. A Directors and Overseers,once said in along-ago Founders'Day Sense ofPlace speech,"There has alwaysbeen somethingspecial about Sweet ByMaryMolyneuxAbrams '86 Briar."Clearly,this"somethingspecial"includes the College's President, LittlePondProductions, Inc. unique naturalenvironment. 30 The Class of2000 Commencement It is impossible to separate Sweet Briar's traditions, aca- 33 In the Spotlight demic ideals, and architectural heritage from the awe-inspiring 36 Winter Forums: Understanding Islam 3,300 acres that surround us. AH are hopelesslyandwonder- byProfessorJeffi-eYE. Key fiillyintertwined. Fiftyyears ago,Martha Lou Lemmon 38 OutstandingAlumna Award: Stohlman noted in TheStoryofSweetBriarCollegethat"hving Allison Stemmons Simon '63 wdthbeautydoes notleave one untouched...On fu^st 41 Transitions glance this beautyis striking; afterfouryears it has 45 Recent Deaths become apermanent possession." 46 Alumnae CollegeTravel Program 2001 This issue oftheAlumnaeMagazinecelebrates 47 Bulletin Board the waythat those associatedwdth Sweet Briar are (SeeTechnocracy Symposium) usingthis special tie to the land. On campus, fac- 47 Letters ulty and students are engaged in significant envi- 48 Centennial Events ronmental research.And from Guion pond to the 49 Class Notes Florida Everglades, from the Mississippi Delta to the Califor- Inside Back In the Sweet BriarTradition nia coasthne, SBC alumnae are encouraging a genuine appreci- ProfessorErnestP. "Buck"Edwards ation forthe natural resourceswe share and an alert recognition Back Sweet Briar Centennial ofwhatwe must do to preserve them forthe hiture. As our Plates Questionnaire coversuggests, Sweet Briarwomen are not afraid ofchallenges. No matterwhere we look,whether at Penny Czarra '75 in rural Spring/Summer 2000 Vol. 71, No. 3 India orAmira Hernandez'99 in the Bronx,we see genera- Onthecover: Acollageofimagesrelatingto"ASenseofPlace,"featuringapageofAssociate tions ofalumnae attemptingto build abetterworld from the ProfessorLaura Pharis'naturejournal, monarchbutterflies, studentsridingoncampus, grassroots up. buildingabeaverdam,andaSWEBOPgrouponaclimb. This issue oftheAlumnaeMagazinewiU, I think, amaze you. Overand over, the storieswith—inbespeakapassionate SweetBriarAlumnaeMagazinePolicy TheAlumnaeOfficeStaff engagementwith the naturalworld a passion that inspires Oneoftheob|ectivesofthemagazineisto LouiseSwieckiZingaro'80,Director, presentinteresting,thoughl-provolting AlumnaeAssociation,ManagingEditor, Susan Detweiler'89 to climb the highest peak in the Americas. materialPublicationofmaterialdoesnot AlumnaeMagazine Thatprompts Sarah Babcock'83 to leave apromising careerin indicateendorsementoftheauthor'sview- AnnMacDonaldCarter'97,Associate technologyand pursue a Ph.D in animal behaNiorThat spurs pointbythemagazine,theAlumnaeAsso- Director ciation,orSweetBriarCollege.TheSweet MelissaCoffeyFitz'98,AssistantDirector Tricia Hamilton '01 to speakup on behalfofthe crab apple BriarAlumnaeMagazinereservestheright JoanLucy,AssistantDirector,Centennial trees in frontofBenedict. toeditand,whennecessarv,reviseall Coordinator I thoughtI knewa lot abouthowthe Sweet Briar commu- materialthatitacceptsforpublication. SandraMaddoxAH'59,Assistanttothe Director nityhas embraced the beauties and challenges ofthe environ- Contactusanytime! NancyGodwinBaldwin'57,Editor, ment,but as I read through this magazine, I realized that I had BoxwoodAlumnaeHouse,BoxE,Sweet AlumnaeMagazine only the vaguestunderstanding. I urge you to read this issue Briar,VA24595, NoreenParker,AssistantDirector,Assistant from coverto cover.And ifyou have the opportunity, pass iton (E-8M0a4i)l3:8111-6(O1f3f1i;ce)[email protected];; MEdaigtaozri&neC,laTsosurNoCtoeosrdEidniatotro,rAlumnae to a prospective student.This is a storythat deserves tobe told! 2)([email protected] BonnieSeitz'01,AlumnaeComputer ProgramsCoordinator AlumnaeAssociationwebsiteaddress: httpy/www.alumnae.sbc.edu AlumnaeMagazineProduction PrintcKlbySeckmanPrinting SweetBriarwebsiteaddress: Lynchburg,VA www.sbc.edu GraphicdesignbyNancyBlackwell ElisabethS.Muhlenfeld, Marion'74,TheDesignGroup, President Lynchburg,VA AS fpl ense o ace Sweet Briar's Natural Setting Ennances Campus Lire and Inspires Innovative Programming In the early morning before classes, Kim Leach '00 saddles up her favorite horse, Bondo, and hits the trail, curious to see who else is out and about. She is not looking for feUow riders or the hikers and bikers that share Sweet Briar's 3,300 acres. This biology major and student naturalist is scanning shallow puddles, hoping to spot a salamander or a toad. Kim, like the other students, faculty, and alumnae featured in curve in what is becomingone ot the fastest-growingareas of this issue oftheAlumnaeMagazine, interprets the phrase"Sweet study nationwide. Briar community" to include all living things: from fiingi feasting Ofcourse, Sweet Briar's enviable sanctuaries and ecological on the dead leaves underfoot to monarchs flutteringbyon their studyareas give the College a unique advantage in trainingstu- wayto Mexico. dents forgraduate studies,careers, andvolunteerworkin environ- The upcomingfall semesterwiU markthe fourthyearofthe mental problem solving. And, as this issue oftheAlumnae College's "Learningon the Land"orientation, an outdoorprogram Magazineillustrates, this generation offaculty and students is not thatconnects first-yearstudents to each other and to the campus. the first to put the College's resources toworkin thatdirection. Students choose from an assortment ofexperiential"mini" courses, The land also benefits the College's nationally-acclaimed Riding including an archaeological dig, a Global Positioning System Program and supports exciting co-curricularofferings Bke SWEBOR guided scavengerhunt,astudyofthe campus'wildlife and horti- culture, an introduction to SweetBriar's historic architecture and In the high-tech, high-touch 21^^century, Sweet Briaris dis- landscape, and a touron horseback. tinguishing itselfas beingboth the "mostwired"women's college This relativelynew orientation program has alreadygarnered in the countryand aplace where students can soothe their souls national attention as an innovative, character-building model for among the same trees, ponds, and pastures that have delighted this other colleges and universities to follow(see "SBC Recognized for community tor nearly 100years. CharacterDevelopment Programs"in this issue). "Sweet Briar evokes a sense ofplace," saysMaryPope Hutson Even more exciting, the College's newEnvironmental Program Waring'83, conservationist and executive director ofSouth begins thisAugustwith the arrival ofDr. David Orvos, chairof Carolina's LowcountryOpen LandTrust."In mywork,I see a the environmentalstudies department and associateprofessorof pervasion ofurban sprawl across the country.The College has environmental sciences. taken great steps to assure abalance byclustering the built envi- From his location in the newly-renovated SweetBriartrain sta- ronmentwithin the natural environment, demonstratingthat the tion and caboose. Dr. Orvoswill keep the College ahead ofthe twoworlds can coexist. — " 0^ '7nthe next20years, citizenswillbe challenged ''We caritprotect every- photographed burningthree mUlion to dealTOth environmental issues proactively dollarsworth oftusks. He taughtme instead ofreactively. Ifwe—do not meet the chal- thing and we shouldnt, that the issue toworry about is not lenge, fu—turegenerations ourchildren andgrand- says Mary Pope. "The the extinction ofspecies butthe lack children ^wiU enjoyonlyremote,virtual ofhabitat. experiences ofthe naturalwonderswe take for challenge is balance. It's "AH overAfrica, people are cutting granted.Theywill notbe out first thingin the trees for housingand other necessi- morningon abirdwalkwith Dr. Edwards.They'll an important area to be ties, dramaticallyreducingwildlife be looking atbirds on a computer monitor. focusing on right now habitat.We're strugglingwith the "I am heartened that the College is taking a same type ofloss here in the United leadership role, movingforwardv\dth its Environ- and it's great that the States.There is so much develop- mental Program!' ment. In my state alone,we're due to College is making it a have 800,000 more people living alongthe coastline ofSouth Carolina priority" in the next tenyears." A — fewyears afterMar)' Pope MaryPope HutsonWaring'83 returned from Nairobi to Charleston, the governor asked her to serve on the South Carolina Department ofNatural Resources (DNR) Board — ofDirectors the firstwoman ever appointed.Though shewas working as actingdirectorofdevelopment and directoroftours and special events for the Historic Charleston Foundation, she DNR distinguished herselfas chairofthe Board's MarineAdvi- soryCommittee.The press described her as"makingwaves"and "rockingboats'.'One headline elevated her from committee chair to"Swordfish Saint." TheEnvironmentalScienceMajor(B.S.) The Environmental Science B.S. majorrequiresacommoncoreof35sci- encecreditsand 12 non-sciencecredits, plusat least 16additional science creditswithin oneoffourconcentrations: Ecology& Conservation Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Physiology, orComputational Science. ThiscurriculumevolvedfromconsiderationofSweet Briar'seducational Mary Pope HutsonWaring'83 meetswith SecretaryoftheInterior Bruce Babbitt mission; anevaluation ofenvironmental sciencecurriculaatotherinstitutions; discussionswithenvironmental scientistsworkinginacademia, industr)', and Making Waves NCO's;andasurveyofgraduateschool requirementsandemploymentoppor- tunities.Thegenericenvironmental sciencemajorsofferedatmany institutions emphasizebreadth attheexpenseofdemandingupper-levelcoursework,and areweakerprogramsthan theirothersciencemajors.Ourproposedcurricu- lum isdemanding, interesting, and innovative. Thefourconcentrationsbuild Conservationist Mary Pope Hutson Waring '83 on existingsciencecoursesandfacultyexpertise. (Formoreinformationgoto http://environsci.sbc.edu/ Applies Lessons Learnea in Kenya 1 to tne boutn Carolina Coastline REQUIREMENTS FORTHE B.S MAJOR General Ecology In 1990, INTERNATIONALAFFAIRSMAJORMaRYPOPE HuTSON Field Natural History orotherfield scienceorconservation biology PrinciplesofChemistry plus lab Waring '83 w\sworking in Nairobi, Ken\'a as a special assis- PrinciplesofChemistry III plus lab tant to the U. S. Ambassador. Herresponsibilities entailed meet- Environmental Analytical Chemistry ingwith Kenyan business,political, and culturalleaders ona Environmental Analytical Chemistry Lab regularbasis.The experience piqued her interestin conservation. Introductory Economics Introduction to Environmental Science In a countryof25 million people, therewere no fences containing Environmental Policy and Problem-SolvingStudioor Environmental and protectingwdldlife. Internship "InAfrica, there is areal need and agreatchallenge to educate Advanced Lab in Environmental Science people about the importance ofwildlife," saysMaryPope. "Killing Calculus elephants that—comeintoyourgarden and eatall thevegetables ATpwpoliaedddiSttiaotniastlicesnvironmental studiescourses (at leastonecourse yourlifeblood is nota solution.There is awavforpeople and above200) wildlife to coexist. Senior Research "WhenIwas there,—the headofthe KenyaWildlife Service At least 16 additional credits in oneconcentration (at least 6 above was Dr. Richard Leaky son ofLouis and Mar)', the famous pale- 200) ontologists. Itwas Richardwho banned the ivorytrade andwas 2 • Spring/Summer2000 Sweet BriarCollegeAlumnaeMagazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu DNR During her tenurewith the South Carolina Board,Mar)' Tne Popebecame active in attemptingto start a statewide land trust ISêw network, anorganization thatwould allowtrusts to share information. In 1998, the Lowcountr)'Open LandTrust invited herto Environmeiital serve as executive director. Similarto national organizations like the Nature Conservancy Program or Conservation Fund,the Lowcountry Open LandTrust is apri- vate, regionalconservation organization thatworkswithprivate landowners, helpingthem to place easements on theirproperties A and protectland inperpetuityfor their communities. Natural Fit for Sweet Briar The Lowcountryhas helped 70landowners protectalmost 21,000 acres alongthe South Carolina coastline.The organization This September marks the debut ofthe new Sweet Briar is currendyworkingwith another50landowners to protect an Environmental Program.The College's Board ofDirectors, admin- additional40,000 acres.MaryPope alsoworksv\dth municipali- istration, and facultyhave made a significantcommitmentto this ties, helpingthemwith planning, prioritization, and GIS map- initiative,which embracesso tnanyofSBC'sstrategicplanningthemes: ping- "We can'tprotecteverything andwe shouldn't," saysMary • The Environmental Programpromotescooperative, experiential Pope."The challenge is balance. It's an important area to be learning, both insideandoutsideoftheclassroom. Field studies are focusingonright nowand it's great that the College is makingit a integratedwithworkin disciplines across the campus, including anthropology, chemistry, computer science, math, molecular priority. "You knowand I knowthat ourstudents leave the campus biology, physics, and philosophy. — invigorated; theygo out and make a difterence.This is an area • Both rigorous newmajors Environmental Science (B.S.) and where theirenergyandleadership is needed.We cannotexiston Environmental Studies (B.A.)—offer students core courses and pavement alone." achoice ofconcentrations. Choosing a concentration, com- binedwith seeking opportunities for intensive independent research, travel and studyabroad, and internships, encourages studentstobeproactiveandintentionalabouttheireducations. — — TheEnvironmentalStudiesB.A.Major • The program makesthecampus theland partofthelearning experience. Laboratorycourses, on-campus research, andvolun- TheB.A. degreerequiresacommoncoreof26or27creditsplusatleast teeractivities make use ofthe College's extraordinary3,300 18creditswithin oneofthreeconcentrations: Environmental Policyand Plan- acres. ning; Global Environmentand Sustainable Development; or Humansandthe Natural WoHd. Itrequiresat least 14credits in science includingcalculusand • The newNaturalist-In-Residence program,which takes place ecology, reflectingthewidespread recognition thatscience literacy iscrucial overthe summer, contributestoSweetBriar'sgoalofbecominga foraPlrlaectnivciarloenxmpeenrtiaelnpcreofweistshioennavlsi.ronmental issues isdevelopedthrough collegeforyear-longlearrjing. Newand existingfunds also allow internships, studyabroadprograms, environmental problem-solvingatthe students to remainon campus during the summertoplunge local and regional levels, andstudentparticipation in campusenvironmental into projects too demanding to undertake duringthe academic planning. year. Environmental Studiesstudentsarestronglyencouragedtoundertake international travel andstudy, particularly in LatinAmerica, Asia, orAfrica, in pro- • The program places a strongemphasis on the importance of gramsstressingnatural resourcemanagement, wildlifeconservation, both science andpolicyin environmentalproblem solving.This environmental policy, international development,orsustainabledevelopment. approach, supportedbyprograms such as theJulia Baldwin OapnpdorftoruniinttieenssiavreesauvmaimlearblerefsoeraricnhteartnsShwiepsetwiBtrhiaernovrireolnsmeewhnetrael.o(rFgoarnimzoatrieons, Waxter Environmental Studies Vomm,fostersan understanding informationgotohttp://environsci.sbc.edu/) andappreciationofdiverseperspectives. The physical requirements ofthe program include two new REQUIREMENTS FORTHE B.A. MAJOR General Ecology tenure-trackpositions, renovations to existingfacilities, and the Micro-EconomicTheory purchase oflaboratoryequipment. Introduction to Environmental Studies One facultyposition is beingleftopen until the programgets Introduction to Environmental Science underway. Nextwinter the search for an assistantprofessorin — Environmental Policy and Problem-Solving Studio environmental scienceswiUbegin mostlikelyfor a candidate Calculus Senior SemIinar with expertise in the earth sciences and in Geographic Informa- Six courses in oneofthree concentrations tion Systems (GIS). Meantime, the more critical, dualposition of Andchooseoneatthe followingcourses: chairofthe Environmental Studies Department and associate Field Natural History professorofenvironmental sciences has beenacceptedbyDr. Environmental Analytical Chemistry David Orvos. Advanced Lab in Environmental Science Applied Statistics For the past threeyears. Dr. Orvos hasled and helped develop PrinciplesofPhysics the environmental science course curriculum and program at I Mechanics SUNYCollege at Fredonia. He has a long associationwith Virginia colleges and universities. Sweet BriarCollegeAlumnaeMagazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu Spring/Summer2000 • 3 — He received his bachelor's degree inbiologyfrom Eastern Mennonite College (nowUniversity) andhis master's degree in biologyfromJames MadisonUniversity. He earned a Ph.D. in biologyfrom VirginiaTechin 1989. Dr.John Cairns,Jr.,UniversityDistinguished Professorof Environmental BiologyEmeritus served as Dr. Orvos' advisorat VirginiaTech. Dr. Orvos'doctoral dissertation explored the environmental riskofagenetically-engineered microorganism. Dr. Orvos continued his postdoctoral researchwith Dr. Cairns. He assessedbiotechnologicalriskforgovernment and private agencies includingthe National Science Foundation,the U.S. DepartmentofAgriculture, and the U.S. Environmental Protec- tionAgency. From 1991-97, Dr. Orvos was an environmental sci- entistat SmithKline BeechamPharmaceuticals, assessing environmentalimpacts ofthe company's products and manufac- turingprocess. Bill and|udyWaxter '49, PresidentMuhlenfeldand DavidOrvos Dr. Orvos'expertise complements those ofthe current science facultj',with enough overlap to encourage collaboration. Professor Hwang Teams with Professor Chang and "David's background brings wonderfril synergies to the depart- Adam Werbach to Expand Learning Opportunities ment," says LindaFink, associate professorofbiology."He's at home in the field and the lab. He knows molecularbiolog)'and From Kazakhstanto San Francisco, Sang Hwang, assistantprofessorof chemistry.—He's interested in the eftects ofdifierent chemicals environmental studies, iscollaboratingwith SBCfacultyandfriendsto pollutants inthe aquatic environment.Thesetoxins oftenoccur expand learningopportunitiesforstudents. in minute quantities, soyou have to be a good analvtical chemist Thissummer he istravelingto Kazakhstan, where he is linkingwith Pro- to testlor toxins inwater and in fish tissue.At the same time,you fessorClaudia Chang'sTalgarArchaeology Project. Buildingon hercontacts with the Harvard Development Instituteand the Kazakh National Academy have to be agood fieldbiologistto knowwhere togo to find sam- ofSciences, Professor Hwang is investigatingwaystoexpand connections ples and care for them. In short, he can show studentswh\'both fortheCollege in theareasofarchaeology, international affairs, environ- skUl sets are important. mental science, and environmental policy. "Davidis also athome in both academic and corporate set- travAelmiyngDwiethAnPgreolfiesss'o0r1,Hawnanegn,vicroonnmdeuncttailngsthuedrieoswmnajroersefarrcohmoNnetwheYodrekv,eli-s tings. He can help to guide smdents toward graduate school and opingcountry'senvironmental plansand policydebates. Shewill present also prepare them forcareers in industry and emironmentalrisk herfindings in a paperand in a presentation totheSweet Briarcommunity assessment." duringthefall semester. While Dr. Orvos leads the department and directs the bachelor Alsoduringthefall. Professor Hwangwill join forceswithAdam ofscience major in environmental science. Sang Hwang, assistant Werbach toteach a courseon environmental activism. professorofenvironmental studies,will directthe bachelorofarts Threeyearsago, attheageof23, Werbach waselected national presi- dentoftheSierra Club, byfartheyoungestperson major and continue to oversee the environmental studies minor. Three years am, at evertoassumesuch a responsibility. "David and I overlap philosophically,"says ProfessorHwang. the age oj/•23?, vTAVrerubachu wasDiunrviintegdtthoec1a9m9p8u-s99toaciandauegmuircatyeeaSr,weWeetrbBraicarh's "haWseanhaevnevithreonsmaemnetaolusdcoioekn.ceThcaotm'psoinmepnotrtaanndttbheecaBu.sSe.thhaesBa.nA. was electednational JiJ''^ B. Waxter Environmental Studies Forum. In environmental studies component. presi•d7ent. oJ/,tt;je br.i-erra a^d^dî^tîonPrtoofehsissorevHewnainngg'lsecctluarses,esh.eTwhaestiwnovidteevdelt-o "Environmentalissues are notsingular. Having an environmen- Club, byfarthe oped afriendship and created a courseoutlinefor tal scientist in place allows us to take fuU advantage ofsomething younvestperson ever '^^ upcoming Honorsseminar. that students are catchingonto out in theworld. Notonlyis this ^ t°o as-s' umesuch a wherNeowhe2h6o,stWserabtaeclehviissiobnasseedrieisnaSnadn aFrwaenbcissictoe, faireeladtohnaet omfattchheefsasStweesett-gBrroiwairn'sgamriesassioonfstotupdryepnaarteiownowimdee,nittoisbean responsibility, calledThin Green Line(www.thingreenline.com). Heplansto remain ontheWestCoast, appearing leaders andglobal citizens." liveviathe internettoco-teach theenvironmental ProfessorHwang, a socialscientist,is keepinghis office in the activism coursewith Professor Hwang. Chapel.This summer, the College is renovatingthe caboose and "Thevideowill bechoppy but hisvoiceshouldcarry real time," says train station near Guion to serve as an oftice andwet laboratory Professor Hwang. "Wewill also use forDr. Orvos. portionsofhistelevision series, airing on theOutdoor Life Network, ascase Inwhat is turning outto be awin-win situation all around,Joe studies.Thepurpose is to introduce Monk, associate professorofstudio art and currentoccupantof studentstotheevolution ofAmeri- the caboose and train station, is movingoverto the dairy,where can civil disobedience, goingback he has wanted to be located forquite awhile. towriters likeThoreau. Wewant studentstobeawarethatthere i a longtradition ofenvironmental activism thatdrawson a varietyofphilosophiesand models." 4 • Spring/Summer2000 Sweet BriarCollegeAlumnae Magazine ' /.alumnae.sbc.edu " Taking tne http://nature.sbc.edu Scenic Route About ayear ago, Linda Fink, associate professorofbiology, sat down to write a Sweet Briar field guide, abookthatthe communit)'and visitors could use to explore the natural environment. Instead, she endedup creatingawebsite thatserves as Proiessor Orvos'Journey to S\s'eet Briar aresource and meetingplace foron and off-campus naturalists. David Orvos, Sweet Briar's newprofessorofenvironmental The multipurpose site provides maps and information about science and chairofthe environmental studies department, is the sanctuaries and ecological studyareas on campus. It is a col- hapApynattoibveeocfoMmairnyglahnodm,e.ProfessorOrvos spent 12years studying loebcsteirvveantaitounrseojfousrtnuadle,ntfseaatnudrifnagct-he "// ispartofmygoalto in Virginia at Eastern Mennonite Universitv,James Madison ultywho are out researchingor develop SweetBriar's reputa- University, and VirginiaTech.Though he hoped to settie down recreatingon Sweet Briar's 3,300 tion asa college thatproduces and teach in this area ofthe country(hiswife's familyis from Vir- acres. It serves as avirtualkiosk, the bestconservation andfield ginia), his mentorand advisor atTech encouraged him to "take keeping the communityinformed biologists in thecountry. I the scenic route"through the environmental sciences. oflectures and events, professional couldhave thesame wish "Dr.John Cairns,Jr., the man I workedwith atVirginiaTech, and studentjob opportunities, and had outside experiences that he brought into his research," news related to the Sweet Briar anywhereItaught. Butat explains Professor Orvos. "His approach made me aware ofthe landscape. It isworth checkingout SweetBriar, with ourland- need to spend timeworkingin the private sector. I wanted to forthe photographyand artwork scape, commitment, and teach, butknewI needed cross trainingto understand the dynam- alone. resources, it's agoalthat is ics ofthe discipline." "I decided to create aplace within ourreach. Afterearning his Ph.D. in biologyfrom VirginiaTech in 1989, where studentswho are interested —Linda Fink ProfessorOrvosworked as an environmental consultant, running in natural historywould have a an environmental laboratory for RoyF.Weston, Inc. inWest home, an identity," says Professor Fink. It is part ofmygoal to Chester, Pennsylvania.Twoyears later, he traded that managerial develop SweetBriar's reputation as a college thatproduces the position for a research-centered opportunitvat SmithKline best conservation and fieldbiologists in the country. I could Beecham Pharmaceuticals. have the same wish anywhere I taught. But at Sweet Briar,with "I loved it at SmithKline,"says Professor Orvos."Thework ourlandscape, commitment, andresources, it's agoalthatis environmentwas state-of-the-art.We had student interns and I vvdthin ourreach. taught at night.The hours and—moneyweregreat. I found myself "Thewebsite also allows me to send an important message becomingperfectiycomfortable maybe too comfortable. I knew to prospective student naturalists.Thatis, ifyou ifI was goingto make a move, I'd better do itsoon." like the idea ofwadingup toyourwaist in mud and Threeyears ago, Professor Orvos leftthe corporateworld beingbitten bychiggers so thatyou can answera behind to lead and develop the biolog)'and environmental sci- critical question. Sweet Briaris the place youwant ences program at the State UniversityofNewYork in Fredonia. tobe." Amonghis achievements, he forged arelationship between his department, state organizations, and the local community, put- ting his students toworkon environmental problems in and around Lake Erie. "Halfofmystudents at Fredonia areworking on fisheries," says Professor Orvos."I knewver)'little aboutfisheries before I tookthejob,butitwas a regional issue thathad alot to offer ourprogram.As things turned out, the state peoplewere happ—yto see us. Someonejust needed to make the connec- tion to cross the coUege/non-coUege barrier I'm not afraid to step out and do thateven though the process often reveals gaps in myeducation and understanding." Though Professor Orvos did not arrive on campus until August, he has alreadyinvestigated issues and opportunities involvingthe region'sTye andJames rivers. His expertise in environmental toxicologywill create newresearch opportunities for students on campus. "Toxicologists studypoisons and howtheyaffect humans and the environme—nt," explains Profess—orOrvos."We look at DDT organic chemicals and dioxins orinorganics like heav)'metals. For example,when I heard that Sweet Briar used to have apple orchards, I immediatelythought ofarsenic. Fifty Sweet BriarCollegeAlumnaeMagazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu Spring/Summer2000 — ±L uucsnt take long to see that this is an Perfect Tiimiiig institution that canpermanently change someone's life. As a teacher, that's TneJulia B. Waxter Environmental Forum the level ofinteraction Iam lo—okingfor. at S^veet Briar The students really swayed me and Severalyears ago,Julia"Judy"BaldwinWaxter'49 andher hus- notjust the seniors. Ihadfreshmen and band Bill approached the CoUegewith the idea ofsponsoring an annual environmental forum,lecture, orevent.The timingwas sophomores in class, confronting me, perfect.The College's strategic planningprocess hadjust made trying to back me into a corner. " l3a,n3d00usaecrmeacnaamgpeumsenastaamparjioorriteyduicsastueioannadl aidnedntriefcireedatSiwoenaeltaBsrsieatr.'s — Agovernmentandeconomics major,Judyhas always main- Professor Orvos tained a stronginterest in the sciences. Both she and BUI love the years ago, itwas used as an insecticide. I'm planning to have stu- outdoors andwere particularlyinspiredbybooks like Paul dents take soil samples. Ifarsenic is here,we can studyhow it's Hawken's TheEcologyofCommerce.TheWaxters also sharewon- been movingthrough the environment." derfiil memories ofthe SweetBriar campus. Professor Orvos describes himselfas a"garnish,"apersonwith "A halfcenturyago," recallsJudy,"I soaked up the beautyofthe a mix ofinterests and preferenceswho is not afraid to take SweetBriarlandscape: the loop to the monument and dairyand chances. He is athomeboth in the outdoors and in thelaboratory. backto mydorm; the pleasure ofthe outing cabin; andwalking He almostturned down the opportunityto interviewat Sweet with classmates orBiUon the road to Amherst. Briar, concerned that the size ofthe College mightlimit its com- "Weevenclimbed High Peak,takingthebus toMonroe,walk- mitmentto an environmental program.The students and admin- ingon alane tothebase ofthe mountain, and makingourwayup istrators he met quicklyconvinced him otherwise. without atrail.Therewas onlyone smalltoweron top,butourbub- "It doesn't take long to see that this is an institution that can ble burstwhenwe discovered a roadleadingup from the otherside!' permanentlychange someone's TheWaxter's idea foran annual environmental event put them life,"says ProfessorOrvos."As a in touchwith like-minded members ot the SBC teacher, that's the level ofinterac- "So many departments are community.As things turned out, theirthoughts treiaolnlyIsawmayleodokmieng—foarn.dThneotsjtuusdtentthse participating in this inter- wfoerreediuncastyinocnwiinththtehe21^C'o-llceegnet'usrye.mTehregiJnuglivaisBi.on seniors. I had freshmen and sopho- disciplinary approach. Waxter EnvironmentalForum at Sweet Briar mores in class, confrontingme, try- became a feather in the cap ofthe new Environ- ingtoback me into acorner. As Even Donna Meeks, the mental Program. much as I encourage students to grounds superintendent "BiU and I are happyto be partofthe envi- 'getin myface,'I rarelyget the ronmental initiative,"saysJudy."We're impressed response I received here. Itwas and horticulturist, is letting byPresidentMuhlenfeld's leadership. Sang quite amazing. It knocked me over.' Hwang's impetus, Linda Fink's energy, David Inrecentyears, Professor Orvos the dandelions grow in the Orvos'arrival, and the creative planningfortwo has become more concernedwith newenvironmentally-oriented majors. So many West Dell rather than issues oflong-term sustainabUit)' departments are participatingin this interdisci- 100 to 200years as opposed to one using herbicides that would plinan'approach. or twoyears. He has also become "Even DonnaMeeks, the grounds superin- more active in the"grayareas"of drain down into the tendent and horticulturist,is lettingthe dande- environmental science,the places lions growin theWest DeU ratherthan using where science meets social, politi- biology department's Guion herbicides thatwoulddrain down into the biol- cal, and economic concerns. Pond. " ogydepartment's Guion PondWoodland Gar- "Alotofmycurrentinterests — den below." came to the forefront after myson JudyBaldwinWaxter'49 TheWaxter Forum debut in 1999 brought was born sixyears ago,"recalls Pro- former Sierra Club presidentAdamWerbach to fessorOrvos."When thathap- campus to participate in classes andgive alec- pened, some little switch clicked and I began to lookpast the end ture open to the surroundingcommunity.Thevisit sparked a ofmy nose. I am worried aboutwhat hisworldwillbe like ifsome friendship betweenWerbach and ProfessorHwang,who are co- things don'tchange. As a scientist,I'm morewillingthan ever teaching a course on environmental activism next semester. before tojump into the fray. I wantto see mystudents, this The 2000 forum introduced David Orvos to the—community. department, and Sweet BriarCollege have a lastingimpact.The His presentationwas titled"Invaders in Our Lakes ^The Effect possibilities are enormous and I'm looking forward to the chal- ofExotic Organisms and ResidentialDevelopment." lenge." 6 • Spring/Summer2000 Sweet BriarCollegeAlumnaeMagazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu 1^ ^^ Marlenas three-month long vegetative study involvedsetting up 64 Sherman Experiential traps onfour vinca and non-vincaplots, ^^^K|M each carefully selected to Learning W-' mBKk make sure that vinca was : the only variable. Tnree Biolog'y Majors Discuss tneir Senior Projects Wearinggloves to avoid scentcontamination,Marlena and an For biologv'majors like AshleyBlack'00,Marlena Koper '00, assistantheaded out everydayin the earlymorningto measure, and Kim Leach '00, concepts like"hands-on" experiential educa- weigh, and markthe animals. Halfwaythrough the project, she tion or"learningon the land" are notexactly newand exciting had alreadygone throughfive pounds ofpeanutbutterand the curricularorco-curricular concepts. It's simplywhat theydo. vinca areas were showinga higher tallyofdeermice,white-footed Lastyear,while other seniors were at the libraryoron the mice, and flying squirrels. internet, pullingtogetherthe resources needed towrite their the- "I had neverworkedwith animalsbefore,"saysMarlena."The ses and final papers,Ashley,Marlena, and Kimwere headed out- firstdaywas fun. I had two escapes. It'shardto hold a flyingsquir- side. rel. Ifthe scene had been onvideo, I'd have received an award!" Everybiologymajor at SweetBriaris required to complete a Kim Leach '00wanted toworkwith amphibians oncampus seniorproject.The research that engaged these three majors is and narrowed herseniorresearchiovm to aprojecttided"How representative ofthe t^jies ofprojects seniors with an interestin Abiotic FactorsAffect the CallingIntensityofSpringPeepers and fieldworkpursue. AmericanToads." Ashley Black'00, abiologymajor and environmental studies Usinga standardized callingintensityscale (with zero meaning minor, spent the summerof1999 monitoringpiping plovers on silence or no calls and 3 meaning calls so strongthat individuals the barrier island ofChincoteague in northeastVirginia.The team cannotbe distinguished in achorus), Kim setoutto see ifthe consisted ofsix interns and three biologists. frogs'callswere influencedbyairandwatertemperature,wind The internsworked in shifts from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. speed, rainfall,ground temperature, and cloud cover. guarding and observingthe birds in an effort to determine iffijr- An avid equestrian and captain ofthe club riding team, Kim therprotectionswere needed.The birds nest in the sand on the became interested in callswhen shewas makingavideo forher beach and are threatened both by natural predators and sportutil- field natural historycourse. "I'm always listeningwhen I'm out ityveliicles. riding,"says Kim."Anyonewho rideswith me ends up getting a Among her responsibilities, Ashley located natural historylesson. So, alongwith two otherstudents,I decided to make it official and create avideo ofwhatto lookandlisten for nests, counted eggs, andput up wire whenyou're outridingon the trails." enclosures toprotect them. After the birds Incorporating her senior research hatched, the interns took turns shooing into a schedule that included away eagles and watchingfor traffic. evening classes was a challenge. "The experiencegave me a clearsense ofwhat it means to put Kim maintainedfour sites, which had her togethera management plan to protect a species," says Ashley. outfor three hoursfrom dusk to dark twice "We did behavior studies and mappedthe plover's movements. The datawiUhelp to determine ifitis necessaryto close the a week and outside at one site every three beach tovehicles completelyduringbreeding season." hours day and night on Tuesdays. As part ofher seniorproject,Ashleytook 11 years ofpiping ploverdata, didstatisticaltests, andcreatedgraphswhich she sharedwith the Chincoteague researchers. "This is what I love doing," says Kim. "When I spent the fall Marlena Koper '00 decided to take acloserlookatvinca, an semester ofmyjunioryearat the UniversityofMelb—ourne inAus- invasive ground cover, typicallyplantedaround homes andgar- tralia, I went on the nighthikes,looking forcritters the possums dens, thathas found itswayinto SweetBriar's forests. in the trees. In high school, I went to Costa Rica to studyeyelash "One ot Dr. Fink's ecologystudents noticed that more acorns vipers. Starting in the seventhgrade, I volunteered at the Museum were beingtaken awayinvincaversus non-vinca areas,"explains ofNatural Sciences in Raleigh, North Carolina,where Iwas Marlena."I startedwondering ifthe vinca attracted more noctur- always offeringto take home the donated animals: snakes,birds, nal mice and smallmammals,ifthe ground covergave them sup- and kangaroo rats. Myparents have beenverygood about it all. port and cover." "Finding Sweet Briarwith its combination of—a strongbiology program, agreat riding program, and 3,300 acres I couldn't believe it. EverythingI was lookingforwas right here." Sweet BriarCollegeAlumnaeMagazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu Spring/Summer2000 • 7 ?r^' Marlena. Both students scrambled towrite proposals and puU the A flinding together. Tapestry or ForMarlena, then ajuniorfrom New Rochelle, NewYork, the tripwas a test. Shewanted to confirm that shewas cut out forrig- Opportunities orous fieldwork. In addition to helpingDorothyAllard tagand press specimens, Marlenaproposedperformingpollination ecology studies on the Pedicularis. ForJennifer, a seniorfrom Des Moines, Iowa, the Nepalexcursion presented the opportunityto continue SBC Students Participate Directly the tree research shewas carryingout under the guidance of in International Research Lincoln Brower. Professor Broweris one oftheworld's foremostexperts on Duringthe summerof1999 twobiologymajors,JenniferLear'99 monarch butterflies. For23 years he has been engaged in a cam- andMarlena Koper '00,ventured into acloud forest on the paign to protect the monarchs'overwintering sites in the moun- southern slopes ofthe Nepal Himalyas during monsoon season tains ofcentral Mexico, a handful ofridgeswhere tens ofmillions to increase theirfield experience,workon their own projects, and ofmonarchs can be found November-March, clinging to the fijrther facultyresearch. The trekfrom Pokhara up to the Annapurna Conservation Area tookfour days and required 27 porters."No stair mastercan prepareyou for a hike like that," says Marlena."It's strenuous and hard,but the surroundings are sobreathtakingthatyou completely forget about the leeches betweenyour toes." Though the College did not directlyfijnd the trip, both stu- dentswere supported through on-campus jobs. Marlenawent to workrestoring the pond behind Guion for Dr. Linda Fink, associate professorofbiology.Jenniferstarted her currentposition assisting Lincoln Brower, research professor inbiology. The storybehind the Nepal excursion goes backto the 1998- 99 academicyearwhen the Sweet Briar Honors Program initiated theJessie Ball duPont Scholars-in-Residence Program. The duPont Program invites doctoral candidates to campus to diversifythe curriculum, enrich the community, and provide stu- dentswith graduate school role models.The Scholars teach one class each semester and participate in co-curricular activities,while workingto complete theirdissertations. Participation in the duPont Program is open to all 19 academic departments at Sweet Briar; Dr. Finksaw the beautyofit imme- diately.The candidate she selected forfield biology, Dorothy Allard from the Universit}'ofCambridge, had precisely the background Dr. Finkwas lookingfor to complement the department. Allard had expertise in the geographic positioning systems (GIS) andglobal positioning systems (GPS) Dr. Finkwas imple- mentingto map and manage the College's expansive, forested campus. Professor Fink also selectedAllard forherprofessional experience: 12 years as a regionalecologistforthe Nature Conser- vancyand additional service as a consultant to the KingMahendra TrustforNature Conservation in Katmandu. AUard's own research was another draw.While conducting field research on the southern slopes ofthe Nepal Himalayas in 1995,Allard collected specimens ofanunusual plantgrowing on the trunks ofgiant fir trees.When she returned to the University ofCambridge,where shewas pursuing a doctoral degree in geog- raphy, she immediatelyset out to identifyherfind.An expert at the Royal Botanic Gardens confirmed that herplantwas a mem- berofthe genus Pedicularis orcommon lousewort. Beyond that, its unique characteristics suggested thatAllard mayhave stumbled on a newspecies. Duringherresidency,Allardgave formal and informal talks aboutherresearch and the trip shewas planning to collectflower- ingsamples ofPedicularis in Nepal. Heroffer to take Sweet Briar Tthoewsaerbdritdhgeeesnidnotfimtehetotrteukr,nMaanrdlepnhaotKoogprearph'0J0envnviafbeLruLneiairde'n9i9KanstdriPdrionfgeosvseorr students on the five-weektrip was notlost onJennifer and Allard makingtheirwayacross. 8 • Spring/Summer2000 Sweet BriarCollegeAlumnaeMagazine • www.alumnae.sbc.edu