RELEASED: March 17, 2005

DANVILLE, KY—March Madness doesn't just refer to hardwood battles. At the first hint of spring, colleges and universities across the country release their students for a week of fun, relaxation and maybe an educational endeavor or two. While thousands of students nationwide (including many from Centre College) pile into cars to migrate south for a few days of fun in the sun, some Centre students are taking the break from class to explore other opportunities.

Sophomore government major Robert Tipton of Richmond, Ky., is taking the time off to venture out to an attraction right in Centre's backyard. "I'm going backpacking at Red River Gorge with a friend from high school," he says.

Others are using the break to prepare for summer internships and jobs.

"I'm going to interview for jobs in Washington, D.C. Then head to the Outer Banks in North Carolina for the rest of spring break," says Matt Steinfeld, a junior double major in government and history from Hopkinsville, Ky.

Freshman Stephanie Pankow of Ashland, Ky., is also planning ahead.

"I'm going to home to look for a job for the summer," she says.

Sophomore Brian Grieb of Louisville, Ky., a biochemistry and molecular biology major, has already landed his summer internship.

"I'm going up to look for an apartment for when I'm doing breast cancer research at the Methodist Research Hospital," he says.

Several students will use the break from classes to study.

"I'm studying for the MCAT [medical school exam] that I'm taking on April 16," says junior chemistry major Ben Klausing of Louisville.

Danville senior Cara Quilligan, a biochemistry and molecular biology major, will also be hitting the books next week.

"I'll be writing four papers and doing graduate school interviews at the University of Virginia and Indiana University."

Others are using the time to spend a few days at home.

"I'm headed home and maybe to Point Clear, Ala.—to the beach with my parents and sister [Centre freshman Heather Herring]," says Mary Caroline Herring, a sophomore elementary education major from Talladega, Ala.

Freshman Jeanne Macksoud is off to Basking Ridge, N.J., to be with her friends from home.

Junior Andrew Gavin, a double major in government and economics, calls home Lady Lake, Fla., and he's taking a few friends down to play golf for the week.

Instead of heading south, Louisville freshman Sarah Douglas will be heading west to Las Vegas with a friend. "My friend's sister is getting married, and we're going to the wedding and then to the Grand Canyon to do some sightseeing and relaxing," she says.

For many Centre students, spring break means just what it's meant to college students for generations—time to hit the beach.

Sophomore Ellie Couch, a double major in English and anthropology/sociology of Houston, Texas, is going to Gulf Shores, Ala., with eight of her friends from her residence hall.

Sophomore Josh Potter of Lexington, Ky., a double major in international relations and Spanish is off to Clearwater, Fla., with members of his fraternity.

Several Centre students might run into each other down in Panama City Beach, Fla. Sophomores John Karnes, a financial economics major from Lebanon, Ohio, and Samantha Brown, a psychology major of Waukee, Iowa, are both heading to the popular spring break destination with friends.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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