Ohio Wesleyan University Awards 10 New Theory-To-Practice Grants
Emily Johnson ’15 used an OWU-funded Theory-to-Practice Grant to study which trees were preferred by foraging European Nuthatches in Germany. (Photo courtesy of Emily Johnson)
‘I Never Expected to Gain Such Confidence in Myself,’ Past Funding Recipient Says
DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University is awarding $60,250 to its students and faculty in competitive spring 2015 Theory-to-Practice Grants to support 10 research and special projects on topics ranging from microfinance in Peru to human trafficking in India.
Since launching the Theory-to-Practice Grant program in fall 2009, Ohio Wesleyan has awarded more than $1.28 million in university funds to the campus community, enabling more than 600 OWU students, faculty, and staff to conduct research or complete projects in 62 countries (including the United States), and 24 U.S. states/territories (including Ohio).
Student Emily Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina, previously received a Theory-to-Practice Grant to support travel to Germany, where she studied foraging European Nuthatches.
“Not many students get the opportunity to conduct a research project abroad for a month,” said Johnson, a senior majoring in zoology and German studies and minoring in religion. “I know that I will never forget this experience or the lessons it has taught me. I think the Theory-to-Practice Grant program really gives students at OWU a great opportunity to travel, but also to learn and grow as a student. I never expected to gain such confidence in myself and my ability to conduct a research project, especially while in another country alone.”
Ohio Wesleyan awards two rounds of Theory-to-Practice Grants funding each academic year. Here are the latest grant recipients and their projects:
“Olives and Sustainability,” submitted by Michael Durfee, a junior from Ithaca, New York. During the summer, Durfee will travel to Morocco to investigate sustainable aspects of the olive as well as the production and sale of food and trades material in a traditional society.
“Uncovering the Culture and Health Care Complexities of the Maasai People,” submitted by Jadé Giordani, a sophomore from Chicago, and Jocelyne Munoz, a sophomore from Rio Rico, Arizona. In May, they will travel to Tanzania with Ali Skandor, part-time associate professor of Black World Studies, to examine the culture of the Maasai to understand how they continue to survive living a semi-nomadic life.
National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, submitted by Whitney Weadock, a junior from Hilliard, Ohio, and Katherine Glenn-Applegate, Ph.D., assistant professor of education. In November, they will travel to Florida to attend the national conference with Kathi Warnock, head teacher of OWU’s Early Childhood Center, and six additional OWU juniors: Natalie Geer of Allison Park, Pennsylvania; Mollie Herchenbach of Libertyville, Illinois; Zoe Morris of Gloucester, Massachusetts; Alison Phillips of Columbus, Ohio; Alanna Spalsbury of Delaware, Ohio; and Emma Sparks of Worthington, Ohio.
“Developing Equine Therapy Skills to Benefit Persons with Disabilities,” submitted by Sarah Hanes, a first-year student from Worthington, Ohio. During the summer, Hanes will participate in a therapeutic riding workshop and certification program.
“Staying Abreast with Breast and Cervical Cancer in Tanzania,” submitted by Carly LoVullo, a sophomore from South Euclid, Ohio, and Adelaide Dyrek, a junior from Shelton, Connecticut. In May and June, they will travel to Tanzania to continue previous research on effective promotion strategies for reproductive cancer awareness.
“Culture, History, and Spanish Language Examination of Puerto Rico,” submitted by juniors Macie Maisel of Chestertown, Maryland, and Meghan Guthrie of Blacklick, Ohio. In May, they will travel to Puerto Rico to complete service at the nonprofit Museum of the Americas, while also bettering their understanding of the Spanish language, culture, and history of Puerto Rico.
“Financing Without Fear: Economic Development in Arequipa, Peru,” submitted by Reilly Reynolds, a junior from North Olmsted, Ohio, and Patricio Plazolles, M.B.A., program officer for OWU’s Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship. In May, they will travel to Peru with junior Sarah Richmond of Hingham, Massachusetts, and staff member Rosalind Scott to explore the pros and cons of financing small businesses in less-developed countries using donations, rather than traditional microcredit.
“Prevalence of Rbm3, Tau, and Amyloidβ After Traumatic Brain Injury, Hypothermia, and Rbm3 Injections,” submitted by Emily Scott, a junior from Frederick, Maryland. Between August and December, she will work at Ohio Wesleyan to addresses the question of how a cold shock protein activated by hypothermia changes indicators of cellular damage common to Alzheimer’s disease in TBI in rats.
“Understanding the Trifecta of Alcohol-Induced Aggression: Sports, Alcohol, and Violence,” submitted by Karson Stevenson, a junior from Aurora, Colorado. In May, Stevenson will travel to the Netherlands, France, and England to explore the relationship between alcohol-induced aggression and sports-related violence.
“Opposing Human Trafficking in India,” submitted by Kelsey Thornton, a junior from Indianapolis. In June and July, Thornton will travel to India to gain a better understanding of human trafficking by shadowing and volunteering with the organization International Justice Mission.
Ohio Wesleyan’s Theory-to-Practice Grant Program is funded through the generous support of the President’s Circle, a group of donors who have made special gifts to fund initiatives related to Ohio Wesleyan’s Strategic Plan and OWU Connection curricular initiative.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers 86 undergraduate majors and competes in 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Ohio Wesleyan combines a challenging, internationally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities to connect classroom theory with real-world experience. OWU’s 1,750 students represent 46 U.S. states and territories and 43 countries. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” listed on the latest President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, and included in the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “best colleges” lists. Learn more at www.owu.edu.