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Ecos Alumni Newsletter
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| Prescott College
Office of Alumni Relations
220 Grove Ave.
Prescott, AZ 86301
877-350-2100 X4502
928-350-4502 |
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Prep for a British Ph.D
The Jenner Farm
Online Giving
Business Spotlight
Nominate a
Desert Star
CESLL
Books of Interest
PCAA Board Elections
Class Notes
Environmental Biologist
Position Openings
"Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed. ...We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in. "
~Wallace Stegner
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written by Alana M. Vincent BFA MA
Centre for Literature, Theology and the Arts
University of Glasgow
As I move into my third (and hopefully final) year as a Ph.D student here in Glasgow, I’ve been reflecting on what I have accomplished so far—and how the time I spent at Prescott has helped me. It seems to me that Prescott graduates are especially well equipped to pursue United Kingdom Ph.Ds. Why? Primarily because we’re well used to being responsible for our own learning, which is vital in a system that involves no coursework, no exams or set papers, and only periodic meetings with a supervisor. While higher education in the UK is now a long way from the sort of solitary existence one reads about in a David Lodge novel, it is still far less structured than anything that exists in North America. MAP alumni have already learnt how to break a complex idea or project down into manageable portions, how to approach unfamiliar material, and, most importantly, how to recognise when they really do need help.
This isn’t to say that your experience at Prescott has prepared you for everything involved in a UK Ph.D—a lot of the academic stereotypes do still have a basis in reality. For example, students here specialize much earlier on in their academic careers—there are no general education requirements for undergraduates. That puts North American students, in general, and Prescott students, in particular, in a unique position, which has both benefits and detriments. Your UK peers are likely to have a far greater depth of subject-specific knowledge, which can be quite daunting—but you most likely possess a greater breadth of knowledge across different disciplines. As interdisciplinary work is becoming increasingly sought after, clever students should be able to turn this to their advantage. Also, because supervision is so informal (at least on the surface), networking becomes an even more essential skill than it is in MAP—but there are seemingly infinite ways to put your foot wrong, if you’re not careful. (Helpful hints: pants are what one wears under one’s trousers, and ought not to be mentioned in polite company; quite is less than rather which is less than very; understatement is generally a sound rhetorical strategy; everybody probably does know everybody else; the eggs are on the shelf, and not in the refrigerated section.) Remember those one-sentence summaries of your project that you practiced over and over? You will find yourself relying on them again, but with an added challenge: connecting what you do to what the person you’ve just been introduced to does.
Of course, many of these skills are just as necessary for success in North America, and MAP students should find themselves well equipped for interesting careers wherever they end up. But if you are thinking of making the transatlantic jump, do so both carefully and with awareness that it’s really not as big of a leap as it might seem.
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If you know a Prescott College alumnus who you would like to nominate as a Desert Star, please use the online nomination form or contact the Alumni Office at 877-350-2100 ext 4502, or alumni@prescott.edu
This name, "Desert Stars," is inspired both by the incredible Northern Arizona night sky that is a treasured memory for every student who ever stargazed in the Southwest, and also for Monoptilon belioides, a tiny sunflower native to Arizona. The Desert Star program recognizes distinguished Prescott College alumni whose contributions
have changed a community—large or small—for the better.
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Submitted by Tim Crews,
RDP Environmental Studies Faculty
The Agroecology Program at Prescott College is establishing a new teaching, demonstration and research farm in Skull Valley, 21 miles to the SW of Prescott. The new facility is 20 acres and is called "The Jenner Farm," named for David and Kay Jenner, who have offered use of the site. The Jenners recently placed over 4,000 acres of their ranchland in Skull Valley--including the College's farm--in a long-term agricultural conservation easement through the Central Arizona Land Trust. The soil of the new farm is a Lynx series Mollisol, the finest agricultural soils in all of Yavapai County. Many alums may be wondering what happened to the College's Wolfberry Farm in Chino Valley. For over a year, Wolfberry Farm in Chino Valley has not been used because of water issues with the Town of Chino. It is not known whether these issues will be resolved. Fortunately, the Jenner Farm is just about ready to go into production. Students in the Agroecology Program are installing a substantial solar water pumping system (4 kwh), and a combination of students and staff are fencing the land to deter javalina, deer and other wily critters.
Every gift you make benefits
Students
Every gift you make to the Annual Scholarship Fund directly finances their education.
You
Every gift sustains an institution that educates students who want to learn and make a positive difference in our world. Prescott College students impact sustainability of the environment, education and service to others both locally and globally.
 or mail a check today.
If you have already made your annual gift, thank you!
Prescott College Development Office
Judy Lewis, Annual Fund Manager
877-350-2100 X4505
Eric Glomski RDP '92 and Arizona Stronghold Wine:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/04/09/
20080409stronghold.html
Also visit: azstronghold.com |
A big thank you to all that participated in our
Casamar Raffle!
$1,875 was raised for the Student Annual Fund.
Our winner will enjoy
7 days and 6 nights at Casamar Resort located on the outskirts of Puertos Escondido, Mexico.
Casamar is a picturesque, 12 apartment hacienda—like villa surrounded by a beautiful garden and peaceful palm trees. Each apartment has its unique design rooted in the colonial traditions and rustic beauty of Oaxaca, Mexico.
The winning ticket was drawn from 80 entries.
The winner is:
Kirk Gray RDP '69
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June 23 - June 27 (9:00 – 3:00)
Water Colors in the Natural World is a beginning to intermediate class in learning to use watercolors to paint beautiful landscapes and nature scenes. We'll spend our time outside painting and exploring the natural world from a watercolor perspective. Daily fieldtrips included. Class runs each day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (depending on curriculum). You'll have plenty of time to relax and also explore Prescott. For out-of-towners, come and enjoy the week in Prescott. We have negotiated a fabulous deal in our student housing dorm. Call for details.
Instructor: Linne Thomas, local artist and teacher.
Cost: $395
July 7 - 11 (9:00- 4:00)
Digital Storytelling
This is the class you have been waiting for! Each person owns stories that arise from living a full life. Sharing these experiences connects people at the visceral level and helps create healthy communities. Learn to combine your stories with images and music through digital technology. Learn to use Photoshop and digital video editing programs. Walk away from the program with a digital story that you may put up on the Web and share with family
and friends on DVD.
Class Instructor: Dana Oswald, faculty at Prescott College. Come up and spend the week in the pines of Prescott. We have great rates for lodging in the student dorms.
Location: Prescott College computer lab.
Cost: $295
Jill Hewins, Director
Prescott College
Center for Extended Studies and Lifelong Learning (CESLL)
jhewins@prescot.edu
(928) 350 - 4110
www.prescott.edu/cesll |
I hope that you enjoy this month's e-newsletter. If there is something you would like to see in next month's issue or if you would like to submit an article, please let us know. Thank you for your continued commitment to and support of Prescott College.
Please send your submissions
to alumni@prescott.edu
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Faculty & Alumni Publications
The Learning Wheel: Ideas and Activities for Multicultural and Holistic Lesson Planning by Annabelle Nelson, 1998, The WHEEL Council.
The Doing of the Thing: The Brief Brillant Whitewater Career of Buzz Holmstrom by Vince Welch, Cort Conley, and Brad Dimock, 2004, Fretwater Press.
Singing Stone: A Natural History of the Escalante Canyons by Thomas Lowe Fleischner, 1999, University of Utah Press.
For more information, contact the Prescott College Bookstore at 928-350-4307.
Visa and MasterCard accepted.
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Vote for your Prescott College Alumni Association Board.
The Ballot and Candidate Statments can be found at:
PCAA BALLOT
A member of the PCAA Board of Directors is elected to hold the position based on demonstrated support, involvement, and commitment to Prescott College and its mission.
Ballots must be submitted
no later than
June 27, 2008.
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Kate Pruitt, RDP '00
I was blessed to celebrate my wedding last summer in Swan Valley, MT, with a fantastic group of PC friends and their partners. From left to right: Julie Munro, Ben Basar, David Berkman ('00), Bret Hackett ('00), Pam Hurley ('00), Gibby Siemion, Amy Hartline, Chad Close, Rebecca Egbert, Justin Salamon, Gabe Dawson, Shana Maziarz. I am currently living, working and loving life in Missoula, MT.
John Hall, ADP '03
My wife and I live in Port Angeles, WA. I work as a full time firefighter/paramedic for the city and teach swiftwater and rope rescue on the side. Feel free to check out www.tekresq.com. If you are in the area and need some tips on what to do, especially outdoor activities, drop me a line. Take care. |
Vinegar makes a great disinfectant, which can be used to eliminate mold
and mildew.
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Did Wilderness Orientation change your life? We would like to hear your story, see your pictures, and reminisce with you. Please send your testimonials to Ecos for the September 2008 Issue.
Time to circle up and debrief!
Send Ecos submissions to:
alumni@prescott.edu
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Check out the job listings at:
PC Employment Online
Follow the link to "Find a Job" then use the "Summer Job Quick Search." There are many job openings for positions like trip leaders, field guides, camp counselors, and some indoor jobs too - in Prescott and around the globe.
This service is open to all PC students and alumni. |
There are several job openings for Environmental Biologists with the City of San Diego that may interest PC grads. Due to the recent fires, there is a great deal of concern about the brush in wildland areas throughout the city, and the State and Federal Governments are starting to allocate money in that direction. It is critical that the right people oversee the program, or great harm can be done to these important habitats.
Here's the link:
http://apps.sandiego.gov/pjaol8/bulletins/2935.pdf
Steve Huemmer RDP '73
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