GEORGETOWN GRAD RECIPIENT OF BENJAMIN GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP

ADVISOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Dover
Mary Miller (T, W) mcmiller@udel.edu 302-857-1214

GEORGETOWN
Mary Miller (M, Th, F) mcmiller@udel.edu 302-855-1657

WILMINGTON
Howard Fishman hfishman@udel.edu 302-571-5331 Renee Fisher (M, Th) rfisher@udel.edu 302-571-5230

Newark Office
Renee Fisher (T, W, F) rfisher@udel.edu 302-831-8108

Danielle Levredge, a 2012 graduate of the UDAAP in Georgetown, is a Spring 2013 recipient of the Benjamin Gilman Scholarship. The award allowed Levredge to take part in a study abroad trip to northern Africa, where she is taking leadership classes related to her Public Policy major. Her trip, which began on Jan. 1, will include the Moroccan cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, Ouarzazate, and Essaouira, before returning to the U.S. on Jan. 30. The Benjamin Gilman Scholarship (BGS) is a congressionally funded program created to offer undergraduate U.S. students the opportunity to participate in the study abroad experience, particularly those students who have been traditionally underrepresented in study abroad programs in the past those with limited financial means, com-

munity college students, students with disabilities, and those of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Students must be receiving Pell Grant funding to be eligible. The Associate reached Levredge via email in Rabat, Morocco, to talk about her experiences and her continuing work with the BGS. Levredge grew up in Seaford, Delaware, where she attended high school. She entered the Associate in Arts Program in September 2010, and says she only discovered the BGS by chance. I actually saw the scholarship in the tiny print on the back page of a flyer outside the Georgetown academic office, she said. Its so fortunate I picked it up!

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ALUMNI DIALOGUE: CODY PRANG

Important tip:
Keep your permanent phone number and address updated in UDSIS. It is the only way we know how to contact you or send official mail to you. Also, be sure to update your emergency contact info for the UD Alert System!

Cody Prang, a graduate of the Wilmington campus of the Associate in Arts Program, is now pursuing his Ph.D. at New York University. An anthropology major while at UD, Prang is now affiliated with NYUs Center for the Study of Human Origins and the New York Consortium for Evolutionary Primatology. In a recent email interview, Prang shared his thoughts on the Associate in Arts Program, his experiences with UD, and his future academic pursuits.

The Associate: Why did you choose the Associate in Arts Program? Cody Prang: I wasnt a very good student throughout high school because I was more interested in playing music and skateboarding. I also thought high school was boring. The AA Program was simply my best option and it greatly exceeded my expectations. I dont know if I would have discovered anthropology, or pursued a graduate education, if it werent for the program.

TA: At what point did you decide to major in anthropology? CP: I took Anthropology 101 during my first semester because it fulfilled UDs multicultural requirement. I had a good experience in the class, so I decided to take Anthropology of Human Nature the following spring semester. At that point I began to realize that I really enjoyed learning about

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Georgetown Grad Recipient of Benjamin Gilman Scholarship

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Levredge said that she completed the application process but had little hope that she would actually be selected. The application process was somewhat arduous, she said; it included standard questions about her passport, previous schooling, and transcripts, as well as evaluative questions about how the projected trip would be applied to her major. In addition, the application included an essay in which she had to develop, and prove to be sustainable, a program that promotes the scholarship in the future. Levredges project involved setting up (more like volunteering myself, she said) a BGS peer mentorship for the Student Support Services Program on the Newark campus. As a mentor, I vowed to personally assist any Pell Grant student who wanted financial aid for study abroad, she said. Her role will include assisting potential BGS recipients with the application and essay process and helping them collect the necessary documents, such as transcripts and finance records. (For more information, see Levredges contact information and links to additional BGS resources at the end of this article.) Levredge says she never imagined that the study abroad experience might be within her reach. The trips overall cost worked out to about $6,500, which seemed as it does for many students simply out of the question. I never thought Id get to go abroad, she said. My family, as well, pretty much assumed I was only dreaming, since they were well aware we couldnt afford it. My grandmother and guardian didnt even believe I was going until it got down to the final week before [the trip] and I managed to pay it off. Levredge said the BGS awarded 1,000 scholarships of up to $5,000 for the Spring 2013 semester; awards vary depending on student need and the length of each trip. Her award paid

$4,000 toward her trip to Africa. As a recipient of the award and a future peer mentor, Levredge hopes to get the word out to other students who might think that the study abroad experience is beyond their reach. My biggest concern was the minimal likelihood of it happening to me to be chosen as a recipient, but its completely possible. You dont have to have a 3.8 GPA or be an astronaut, cancercuring, genius, prestigious student to be awardedyou just have to try, Levredge said. My biggest piece of advice for students who dont even dare to think about it is that money is out there, she added, noting that there are billions of dollars in federal and state grants, as well as local and private scholarships, available to students who take the time to seek them out. Even some UD offices and organizations offer money to their members for things like this, she said. In essence, free money waiting to be of use to you! Levredge also noted the importance of talking to as many people as possible about wanting to take part in the study abroad experience. Mention your ambition to at least want to go, she said. They will know people to talk to for money or places to look. Ultimately, Levredge said, students need to take the initiative in seeking to achieve their academic goals. Even if someone close to you believes its unattainableprove them wrong! she said. The world is out there ready for you, and opportunities are begging to be found. They happen much more often when you go out looking for them instead of waiting for them to happen! For more information about the Benjamin Gilman Scholarship, visit http://www.iie.org/Programs/GilmanScholarship-Program. For more information about UDs Student Support Services Program, visit http://sssp.ae.udel.edu/. To contact Danielle Levredge for assistance with the BGS application process, email her at levredge@udel.edu.

Important dates:
Monday, Feb. 4:
Classes begin at 8:00 a.m.

Monday, Feb. 18:

Last day to register or add courses.

Monday, Feb. 18:

Deadline for completion of deferred examinations and incomplete work from Fall Semester 2012 and Winter Session 2013.

Friday, March 22:

Spring Recess begins after last schedule class.

Monday, April 1:
Classes resume at 8 a.m.

Tuesday, April 16:

Last day to change registration or withdraw from courses without academic penalty.

Thursday, April 18:

Registration for Fall Semester 2013 begins.

Tuesday, May 14:

Last class day; classes end at 10 p.m.

Wednesday, May 15:

Reading Day; no exams scheduled.

Thursday, May 16:

Final exams begin.

Saturday, May 18:

Reading Day; no exams scheduled.

Sunday, May 19:

Reading Day; no exams scheduled.

Thursday, May 23:

Final exams end.

Saturday, May 25:

Commencement.
For the complete UD academic calendar, visit www.udel.edu/registrar/cal/main.html

Winter 2013

GEORGETOWN GRAD WORKING WITH NON-PROFIT GROUP FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN

assy Galon, a 2011 graduate of the Associate in Arts Programs Georgetown campus and now a Visual Communications major at the Newark campus, has been working on a volunteer basis with the Hockessin-based Supporting Kidds: The Center for Grieving Children and Their Families. Supporting Kidds is a non-profit organization that offers support, counseling, and education services for children who have lost a close friend or family member. Galon lends her graphic design expertise for Supporting Kidds projects and maintains the organizations website, SupportingKidds.org. I got involved in working with the website of Supporting Kidds, The Center for Grieving Children and Their Families, and other projects, such as their first magazine, after I was accepted into Service Learning, Galon said in a recent interview. Service Learning is a part of Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning that helps students apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world conditions, and it allows them to participate in addressing those needs through community service. Although her Service Learning commitment has ended, Galon said that she wanted to carry on with promoting Supporting Kidds mission in the community and doing the graphic design work she loves. I feel as if Ive grown so much from the experience that Ive decided to still continue working with them, she said. Someone once told me youll know when something is worth doing because it wont feel like work at all, and I started to understand that more during my involvement with Supporting Kidds. Not only is she devoting her time to a worthwhile organization, she says, but she is also gaining more experience in the work she loves. Every time I go there, I get to invest my time on what Im passionate about: art and design. At such a young age, and still in school, Im very fortunate to be able to take advantage of such opportunities placed before me, she said. Galon grew up in Ellendale, Delaware. After middle school, she says that she faced a difficult choice when she had to choose which high school to attend. Despite most of my friends going to Milford High School, I decided to attend Sussex Technical High School in Georgetown, Delaware. It was one of the best decisions I made because not only did I make some of my best friendships there, but I also met incredible teachers that helped steer me onto the right path, she said. Choosing a different path for her high school experience prepared Galon for making the transition to the Newark campus, a move that can be difficult for some Associate in Arts students. Those who have spent time with me know that, for the most part, I am easily distracted, she said. This is not a good mix when you are trying to balance classwork and socializing at the same time, considering that theres always something to do in Newark. But like any adjustment, the main thing is time. Its going to take time; you have to figure out what works for you and what doesnt. Galon said that Associate in Arts students making the transi-

tion to Newark will find it easier if they get involved with social events and clubs; meeting new people, she said, is the key to making the adjustment. By the time you make your way up to the main campus, youre surrounded by people who have most likely already spent at least two years together, so it almost feels as if youre the new kid in school and youre trying to make the most of an awkward situation she said. However, it doesnt have to remain that way. There are so many opportunities to meet new people on campus, so get out there and get socializing! To learn more UDs Office of Service Learning, visit www.servicelearning.udel.edu. For more information about Supporting Kidds: The Center for Grieving Children and Their Families, visit www.supportingkidds.org. Winter 2013

Alumni Dialogue: Cody Prang

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humans and how we came to be the species that we are today. I took Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology in the fall of my sophomore year. Around that time, I also saw a documentary called Discovering Ardi about a 4.4 million-yearold fossil skeleton from East Africa that had just been published in the journal Science. It sounds naive, but I didnt know that people studied human fossils and evolution for a living. After a meeting with my anthropology professor, Michael Rosenberg, I decided to major in anthropology. TA: What was your adjustment period like when you began attending the Newark campus? Were there any struggles that you faced? CP: My transition to the Newark campus went really well. While in the AA Program, I had the idea that the workload on the Newark campus would be much greater and that all the students would be smarter than me, but I didnt notice a significant difference in workload or level of difficulty. In fact, I earned my highest GPA during my first semester in Newark. I had a few classes that were larger, but I didnt find them overwhelming. The biggest struggle that I faced was my own personal uncertainty about my intellectual ability. After the first month or so, I started to learn that I was no different from

anyone else on campus. I knew that in order to pursue a career in biological anthropology, I had to be a strong student and I was determined to do well. Although I didnt get as involved on campus as I probably should have, I think its important for students to find their place on campus. TA: Your senior thesis examined the lateral tarsal morphology of the gorilla. What was your primary research focus in that area? CP: I studied the shape and function of eastern and western gorilla foot bones for my senior thesis. I worked with Dr. Karen Rosenberg at UD and Dr. Matt Tocheri of the Human Origins Program at the Smithsonian Institution. Im broadly interested in the evolution of upright walking in humans, and one area of the skeleton that differs markedly in humans compared to non-human primates is the foot. In my field, the study of non-human primates is very common and gorillas provide a unique opportunity to study foot evolution because eastern gorilla feet have unique adaptations for moving around on the ground, while western gorilla feet retain adaptations for living in the trees. During my time on main campus, I was involved with the McNair Scholars Program. I owe many of my achievements to McNair. Its essentially a graduate school preparation program for low-income, first-generation college students and groups that are typically underrepresented in college. I suggest that anyone

eligible apply. Another great program is the Undergraduate Research Program. Both McNair and the URP offer money for doing summer research with a faculty member. TA: You are now working with the Center for the Study of Human Origins at NYU. Could you explain more about your current research focus and your plans for the future? CP: Im currently in a Ph.D. program at NYU and I have affiliations with the Center for the Study of Human Origins (CSHO) at NYU and the New York Consortium for Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP). NYCEP is a consortium that includes NYU, CUNY, Columbia, and the American Museum of Natural History. My research focuses on postcranial morphological evolution in humans, our earliest ancestors, and our closest living relatives, the apes. Ive just finished my first semester in graduate school and, after a brief break, Ill be working on a manuscript to submit for publication before I start classes again in February. The McNair Scholars Program offers preparation for doctoral study to low-income, first-generation college students and students from groups underrepresented in graduate education. McNair Scholars participate in extensive undergraduate research internships in their field of interest. To learn more about the McNair Program or to fill out an application, visit http://mcnair.urel.udel.edu.

SEED Scholarships
Have questions about your SEED Scholarship? Check out the following web resources. If you have additional questions, check with your student advisor.
State of Delaware SEED Grants: seedscholarship.delaware.gov UDAAP: www.cas.udel.edu/associateinarts UD Admissions: www.admissions.udel.edu/apply SEED Grants at UD: www.udel.edu/associateinarts/SEED UD Scholarships and Financial Aid: www.udel.edu/finaid FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov

In memoriam: Peter DiSabatino

The Associate in Arts Program would like to remember Peter DiSabatino, who passed away in November 2012. Peter, 20, was a graduate of Appoquinimink High School in Middletown and was a sophomore at the UDAAP Wilmington campus. Peter was on the deans list at UD and had planned to major in business. Peters family has created a memorial fund in hopes of creating a scholarship to be dedicated in his name. Contributions may be made to the G. Peter Michael DiSabatino Memorial Fund, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, 240 Glasgow Ave., Newark, DE 19702. He was one of the students I could (and did) joke with during a lecture to lighten the mood because other students liked and respected him. He was a true pleasure to teach the type of student every professor wants to have in their class. Dr. Tami Lunsford, in UDaily Winter 2013

UD DEANS LIST: FALL 2012

The following Associate in Arts Program students were named to the deans list for the Fall 2012 semester. Congratulations, and keep up the good work!
Erica B. Adkins Corey Michael Alfonso David James Andre Brett Matthew Apostolico Jordan Rebecka Armstrong Maria Lizett Ayala Dana Marie Bard Diana Nicole Behrens Allan Roi Bernabe Jacob Ellsworth Blacksten Luke Claudio Bonilla Christopher Allan Booth Miranda Lynn Bowden Tereena Shanice Brooks Ronald Guy Brulotte Ashley Nicole Bryson Regine Erika Lim Calaquian Mason Tyler Calvert Jillian Suzanne Capaldo Alyssa Marie Carney Jessica Renee Carpenter Jessi Faith Casella Yadira A. Castillo Jesse Lee Clark Nicholas Keith Clark Astrid Carolina Colon Samantha Anna Constantine Aaron Cooper Matthew Niel Cristello Joseph George Czechowicz Dominique DeLisi Jaclyn Alise Disharoon George Afif Doumit Cameron Michael Dukes Reema Emad El-Azom Ana Laura Elizondo Jekeijra Adia Everson Sara Ann Fields Michael Francis Gallo Gerson Jonathan Garcia Gaurav Kumar Gautam Marjorie Fortune Georges Sarah Catherine Gispert Jennifer Eileen Goldsmith Ashley Renee Gosnell Allison Marie Gruwell Joseph Charles Guarni Charlene Elaine Gustafson Derek Joseph Dever Healy Eric Hayden Henderson Holly Elizabeth Homka Jamie Nicole Hood Daniel Glenn Horsky Tierra Malikah Hudgins Tianna Nichole Hutchins Taylor Charlene Johnson Anthony Bruce Johnston Dylan Chad Joseph Aleena Maria Karamali Christopher Brandon Kelly Kevin P Kerrigan Toni Marie Kress Daniel Lahijani Kathryne Anne Marie Lang Calvin Blake Lantz Cherie Brianna Larkin Alex Robert Leiner Tylor Daniel Lennox Bradford Daniele Logue Sonia Patricia Lopez Douglas Wayne Lowman Andrew Tyler Macdowell Emily Julia Maguire Nicholas Ryan Manucci Monica Marcial Gutierrez Steven Edward Marshall Brylle Joseph Martin Shaun Jarell Martin Kyle William Marvel Michael H. Matimu Jennifer Ann McCoy Michael Patrick McHugh Madeline Elizabeth Meade Ismael Medina Lara Ismael Medina Lara Lila Amarilis Mejia Courtney N. Messina Melodie Dawn Miller Tony Mokienko Deeana Alexis Mosher Danica Marie Lansang Nahil David Wayne Natrin Manpreet Kaur Nijjar Joseph Edmund Ocalagan Jennifer Padilla Nicholas Rodrick Palma Steven Nicholas Parenti Natalie Irene Pesetsky Rebecca Jennie Pheiffer Travis Robert Piser Michael Anthony Pool Kenneth Scott Poole Alyssa Reese Prettyman Brendan Patrick Quinn Ethan Xander Huntington Raysor Jonathan William Reece Israel Rios Taylor Marie Roland William Harry Schuler Jennifer A Sekyeraa Steven C. Sell Shea Alexander Shell Emily Renee Sherman Sara Elizabeth Shores Nicholas Lee Sloman Megan Elizabeth Souder Joseph E. Stancell Joseph Michael Stevenson Shannon Lee Story Kimberly Nicole Strain Sarah Elizabeth Taylor Cynthia Noelle Tomeo Courtney Brooke Tull Joseph Anthony Tunell Jessica Anne Tylor Amanda Valdes Jessica Nicole Waites David Walter Wallace Lloyd Matthew Wallace Beau Emmert Warrington Robert Jay Weber Kevin Brian West Benjamin Andrew Whiteside Yuhanna Vergill Whye Francis Charles Wildermuth Tara Christine Windels Darrell L. Wisseman Lily Grace Wojciechowski Steve Kang Won Jessica Erin Young Matthew John Zaldivar Angela Marie Zielen
Winter 2013