RELEASED: May 20, 2004

DANVILLE, KY—Six Centre seniors were recently honored as part of the John C. Young Scholars program. Each student collaborated with a Centre professor in advanced research and presented their work at a symposium.

According to organizers the symposium went extremely well and was well attended.

"I've chaired the program for several years now, and this was one of the best, most interesting symposiums in memory," says Mark Rasmussen, associate professor of English at Centre. "What struck me most was the uniformly high quality of the papers, as well as the vivid evidence of the impact that Centre's study abroad program has had on the direction of student research. All six of the students had participated in the College's international program, and four out of the six papers drew directly or indirectly on that experience. This demonstrates the way that the study abroad program at Centre has extended our students' frame of reference in some extremely positive ways and encourages them to think in international and global terms."

Lauren Crosby of Crescent Springs, Ky., researched the origin and evolution of the International Monetary Fund, neoimperial interpretations of the institution, and the specific impact of the IMF on the economy of Cameroon. She worked with Richard Bradshaw, associate professor of history.

Sarah Hermann of Louisville, Ky., collaborated with Helen Emmitt, associate professor of English, on portrayals of childhood in contemporary northern Irish poetry. Here paper was titled "Troubled Existences: Childhood in the Poetry of Seamus Heaney, Ciaran Carson, and Paul Muldoon."

Zach Hoy of Paducah, Ky., presented a paper titled, "Oxidative Destruction of Phthalate Esters." He collaborated with Joe Workman, associate professor of chemistry.

Meghan Langley of Finchville, Ky., worked with Endre Nyerges, associate professor of anthropology, and Robert Ziemba, visiting assistant professor of biology on her paper, "Land Use Practices in the Kentucky River Water Drainage Basin."

Angela Ratliff of Cincinnati presented a paper on the effects of traditional Mayan culture on Mexicans' perspectives on development. She worked with Lori Hartmann-Mahmud, assistant professor of international studies.

Sherri Rose of Ft. Wayne, Ind., worked with Ken Keffer, NEH Professor of Modern Languages, on a translation of Voleur des Guirlandes, a short novel on a poor section of the outlying city of Strasbourg, France—the Port du Rhin. During her translation she looked into the motives behind the Rotary Club's sponsorship of the project and the effectiveness of the literature as a way to raise spirits.

"I was impressed by the variety and seriousness of the presentations," Keffer says. "Students used PowerPoint in a practical and not showy way."

"I'd say the John C. Young Scholars program represents the very best that Centre College has to offer academically: strong, motivated students working closely with faculty mentors on projects of compelling intellectual substance," Rasmussen says.

The John C. Young Scholars for 2004-05 are: Jared Cutright, who will collaborate with Boles Professor of History Michael Hamm; Ashley Kingsolver, who will work with Blazer Associate Professor of Economics David Anderson; Robert Murray, who will study with Harlan Professor of Government Larry Matheny; Ryan Steed, who will work with Stephen Asmus, associate professor of biology and biochemistry and molecular biology; Jamie Ray, who will collaborate with Nayef Samhat, NEH associate professor of government and international studies; Karen Wicke, who will study with Larry Bitensky, assistant professor of music; and Jen Wolford, who will have Helen Emmitt, associate professor of English, as her mentor.

John C. Young took office as Centre's president in 1830 when the College was struggling to survive. In its 11-year existence, Centre had graduated only 25 students, and that year had an enrollment of 23. In addition, the school was also suffering financially, a constant problem for most colleges in that era. Under Young's administration, however, Centre grew in size, strength, wealth and prestige. He led the College until 1857 and is regarded as one of Centre's greatest presidents.

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