A Publication of the University Honors College University Oregon State University Honors Vol. IV, 2000 Col- HonorsLink
in the morning. It’s no problem “A Day in the Life to spend fifteen minutes on the phone or at the Beanery when of a UHC Student” the sun has set, but those fifteen This composite, from contributions by Ariana minutes mean all the difference Sutton, Jackie Wirz, Jeff Morgan, Kyle Shaver, in the world when the clock is Alexander Johnson and Sathya Ravichandran, swiftly moving from “on time” to is not representative of any single student. “late” without your permission.
6:13 7:53I have spent all of my Tues- Since I am a morning person, I wake day and Thursday mornings this up at around 6 a.m. After showering, year, about three or four hours dressing, and eating breakfast — usually at a time, analyzing and graphing Photo by Linda Wallace cereal with banana and frozen blueber- data UHC students volunteer at the annual OSU Kaleido- ries or a toasted bagel and a banana — I for my thesis. It is good to arrive at scope event, a weekend visitation program for recruiting practice a daily devotional. Starting my lab early and get on a computer beforestudents of color. day with a meditation is refreshing. Then it is crowded. On the way, I make a stop Plus I love the company, since otherwise I catch up on the news and read about the at the Chemistry Dept. office for my I would go home and sit in front of my topics I want to discover but are never first installment of candy — today it is computer while eating, responding to assigned in class. In the busy world of crispy M&M’s — a very good omen! The emails. I much prefer the company at Lu- the 21st century, I find this is the only way morning passes slowly, whether I’m do- ther House. My favorite lunch there is the to keep my sanity and positive mental at- ing thesis work or attending class. As the pizza rolls! Yum! No matter what they titude. morning comes to an end, I head to the are serving though, I always look forward With the daily newspaper and a SLUG (Students Learning UnderGround to Tuesdays because I know I will get a magazine article or two read and email — the UHC Student Learning Center) to good lunch and great conversation. checked, I pack my bag and dash out check email and send greetings to friends. I devote a lot of time each day to the door to catch the Number 5 bus. A On the way to the SLUG, I make another working for the CHRONICLE—the UHC couple of observations on college life necessary stop. When I get to Strand Hall student news magazine. I have a vision are necessary here. First, the weight of a I stop by the University Honors College of making the magazine a color publica- student’s bag is proportional to the week office and get candy installment num- tion and establishing it as another official of the term. The first couple of weeks ber two; I hit the jackpot with miniature source of student media at OSU, so I am barely necessitate more than Snickers bars! A visit to the SLUG always doing something to reach that a single notebook; as time greatly replenishes my spirit, since this goal. Recently, the CHRONICLE staff goes on, the bag gets is a place perpetually filled with interest- and I sent loaded down with ing people. I have had to limit my visits out memos ten-pound bricks of to the SLUG recently since its cheerful to all OSU labs to grade, books attitude, although comforting, can be staff and to read and the trusty habit-forming. faculty ask- laptop computer that ing 12:06 crashes more often them to than the stock mar- Most days I go home for lunch —usu- announce in ket. Second, time ally a sandwich, leftover pasta or a toasted their classes is most valuable bagel, yogurt and fruit. On Tuesday that we Jackie Wirz, junior, however, I go to Luther House. They offer are look- Photo by Linda Wallace Photo by Linda Biochemistry, relaxes lunch to students and faculty; I have gone in the SLUG ing for to almost every one this year. The people students to are fun and the food is always delicious. help write con’t on page 2 U HonorsLink H C
A Day in the Life..., con’t from page 1 for the magazine, as well as for articles done, I could sleep last night.” submitted by faculty and staff. Usually I take a break. “Yeah, well, I’m getting by on only get about six to eight emails a day from This year, four!” writers asking for input, or other inqui- whenever And you can see the pride beneath ries about the magazine, so I’ll be in the classwork their façade, much like the look of a SLUG writing back. At other times, I’m is done, my champion after an intense boxing match. in Hovland Hall working on layout for thesis is Well, I’m not a champ so I feel kind of the magazine or following up on press always here. It like a bum when I tell the world I usually releases, interview contact and donors has felt get about seven or eight hours of sleep a relations. like my work is Photo courtesy University Publications night. I’m the kind of weakling who just never done! But Sathya Ravichandran,I have done a can’t push myself until the wee hours to 3:32 junior, Microbiology good job managing my time and getting do work unless I procrastinate and have On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, parts of it finished at a good pace, so this to turn something in the next day. So I I am finished with classes by 3:30 p.m. term I am facing only minor adjustments usually hop into bed fairly early, after On Tuesday and Thursday, I have dance and preparing for my defense. That is no writing in my journal for about 10 min- classes in the afternoon and evening. I small task, however, so I still have lots utes. have Latin dance, Cool Shoes Ballroom to do. Performance class, and Lindy Hop. Tuesdays and Thursdays are great with all these dance classes, but they are kind Usually around of exhausting. After classes, I head 10:30, I feel sleepy home for dinner, unless I’m staying on 10:30enough that I can’t do campus for a meeting or lecture. I check my best work anymore. email again and have dinner. So once again I log Dinner is often pasta, or a veggie on and check email, burger, or homemade soup. I have had writing to friends and fun experimenting with soup and pasta family. I pick out my recipes this year. TV is rarely watched, clothes for the next and I try to prepare one special meal to day, brush and floss my share with friends at least once a week. teeth, wash up and head A group of us get together one or two to bed. nights a week for WWF, poker, movies, It is usually about 11:00 Photo Thisby Linda Wallaceis a party, or some other social activity. by Ariana Sutton, center, senior in Environmental Science, practices a who I am, and I came to accept that a the time I turn off the light. I discoknow routine I am with Cool Shoes, the OSU performance dance troupe long time ago! I am content. I don’t 7:06 a morning person and I get teased for mind the clock ticking, unstoppable, into On those nights when I don’t have going to bed kind of early, but I function the11:29 future, because my present is content something social planned, I start my better retiring early and getting up early. and the future can only offer more. readings or sit down to work on my I always get a kick out of sitting in the thesis. I must write sections or SLUG and hearing people brag about make corrections or do some- their sleep habits. People don’t realize thing else related to the it, but it’s almost a kind of subtle ego thesis project. I contest. have spent an “Oh man, I only got five hours of amaz- ing number of hours on my University Honors College thesis — 1999-2000 this Jon Hendricks, Dean Lawson Knight, Foundation Dev. Specialist year. Jane Siebler, Head Advisor Linda Wallace, Admis. Spec., Newsletter Design That has Tammy Henderson, Adm. Office Mgr. Stacy Williams, Office Specialist been Carole Ann Crateau, Writing Instructor Peter Fritz, GTA, Megan Horst, GTA very Jeff Morgan, senior, Economics, different fromties any flies of in my his other"spare years time." at University Honors College at OSU Ph. 541- 737-6400 Fax 541- 737-6401 OSU. Previously, I was only dealing with 229 Strand Hall [email protected] classwork and once my homework was Corvallis, OR 97331-2221 http://osu.orst.edu/dept/honors HonorsLink© is a publication of the Oregon State University Honors College
Page 2 Sathya Ravichandran, Microbiology
U H HonorsLink C Words of the Past… Fundraising We continue with our view of OSU's Honors Program (1965-1991) ... Margaret Meehan, Honors Program Director, 1974-1986, demurred when asked for a comment. Instead, we offer insight from two people who were part of the program. The Watchword: As Isaac Newton noted, we all see further when we stand on the shoulders of giants — Excellence Now In the Honors Program, Margaret Meehan created a community of scholars and It is about intellectual capital. The students who shared a vision of what an education should be. Now, as students are torn goal of the Honors thesis is to engage between competing views of the purpose of their university experience and besieged by students in a process that stretches them talk about measurable outcomes and marketable skills, it may be helpful to look again at beyond customary boundaries and yields our hopes for our students. These seven points, which I articulated at a meeting many a product they can be proud of for years years ago, were nourished by the Honors Program’s convictions about what it means to to come. Participatory learning has a be well educated. salience both unmatched and enduring. Here is what the Honors Program stood for then, and our hopes for our students now: UHC students enter with profiles that ♦ We want them to be able to distinguish good from bad—in logic, in art, in science, would rank them among the very best in government. We want them to distinguish good reasons from bad reasons, sound poli- in the country. And they come with high cies from disasters, true from false, probable from improbable, right from wrong, and to expectations of themselves and their care very, very much about the difference. experiences at OSU. Once on campus, ♦ We want them to know things—glories, tragic mistakes, small miracles, useful their work begins in earnest and does not statistics, mindless trivia, ideas great and small. end until commencement — if then. ♦ We want them to be steady on their feet, even in a stiff intellectual wind, which is As students near the end of their another way of saying we want them to be principled. coursework they undertake their thesis ♦ We want them to be able to make connections: to draw conclusions, to figure projects, working closely with a faculty equations, to make analogies, to see the old in the new, the new in the old, the art in the mentor and two other professionals. science, the hope in despair. Upon completion they earn OSU’s most ♦ We want them to be completely, incurably, joyously curious. prestigious undergraduate degree, the ♦ We want them to be delighted by other peoples’ joy and saddened by the sorrow of Honors Baccalaureate. As the students strangers. themselves have said, the thesis is a ♦ We want them to be useful, to have the skills to make a difference, to be contribut- bridge, not a culmination. ing citizens. It doesn’t matter what career they choose; it takes some skill to make the The thesis is formidable, daunting world a better place for their having lived in it. not only because of cerebral challenges Kathleen Dean Moore, Chair, Department of Philosophy but because of practical contingencies. Not least of the latter is the necessity of finding funds to carry out the project in In the spring of 1975, taking a staff position in the Honors Program rescued me a fully professional manner. Sometimes from a waitress job at a local restaurant. The Director, Margaret Meehan, was a former faculty mentors or families help, but just teacher of mine in History and she offered me a job as her secretary at the Honors Pro- as often it is students themselves who gram. It was an exciting opportunity for me to get reconnected with academic life while shoulder the load. earning money for law school. Great students become great leaders The Honors Program was run with style, grace, integrity and excellence and it grew and return long-term dividends to our into a strong, interdisciplinary program for the University’s best and brightest students. state and to our lives; they should not be Margaret worked tirelessly to provide students with a wide variety of seminars, encour- constrained or distracted by an inability aging them to explore beyond their regular fields of study. She enlisted OSU faculty to provide funds to fuel their potential. and community members to teach seminars on subjects ranging from Art to Zoology. That is where you and the Excellence Through her dedication, insight and wisdom, Honors provided students a forum to ex- Fund come into play. pand their horizons and recognize their full potential. Through a generous challenge by Besides the academic excellence of the Honors Program, it provided local artists a UHC student's parent who prefers an opportunity to display their talents. The adjoining classroom in Bexell Hall, where anonymity, Honors has set up an endow- many of the Honors seminars were held, became a rotating gallery. A print I fell in love ment account that, with with in the Honors Gallery by local artist Barbara Weber, still adorns my office today. your help, may one day During the three years I worked for the Honors Program, Margaret became much ensure that all Honors more than an employer to me. For almost thirty years, she has been my mentor and students have access treasured friend. With her encouragement, support, guidance and love, I achieved my to resources that will dreams. I will be forever grateful to her. enhance their thesis The Honorable Janet Schoenhard Holcomb, Benton County Circuit Court Judge learning. continued on pg. 4
Page 3 U HonorsLink H C Fundraising — con't for $1000 — saying it was a way to give students be as good as they can be, without back, to help those who follow her in the constraints; the endowment that will yield The donor stands ready to help and UHC. Beth Tilgner (sophomore, Liberal benefits for all future Honors students; may augment his original pledge via a Studies) obtained two season passes do- and there is the joy of knowing that one’s contribution in the neighborhood of a nated by Timberline Ski Area to raffle off personal generosity can enhance the value- 40:1 match. He hopes others will share for the Excellence Fund. When the OSU added potential of participatory learning. his view and indeed many have joined chapter of Phi Kappa Phi learned of the In this way Honors has a positive impact the cause. Mrs. Anita Summers, long- initiative they too recognized the benefits on the entire campus. Finally, there is the time friend of OSU, stepped forward and made a significant contribution. Even realization that we need your help. In mak- with a gift of appreciated stock to jump- with these generous contributions we still ing a donation, you can claim the amount start the endowment drive. have a way to go. as a charitable contribution to Oregon State Honors students themselves have The Excellence Fund is a gift oppor- University. If that sounds like a win-win joined in the effort and have deposited tunity with more bang-for-the-buck than situation, please consider a gift via the nearly $2000 into the ‘Excellence Fund is usually the case. There is the match, OSU Foundation/UHC Excellence Fund. piggy bank’ in the main office. Students’ possibly 40:1; the opportunity to help families have stepped up and made per- sonal donations so the Excellence Fund Interested in supporting the University Honors College? can reach its target figure by June 30. Contact: Joe Hendricks at 737-6400 or [email protected] One student, who also prefers anonymity, Mail donations to: OSU Foundation/UHC Excellence Fund wrote a check from her personal account 850 SW 35th St., Corvallis, OR 97333
UHC Graphic on Growth 1995 - 2000
Application Statistics Average GPA of Admissions Offered
Average GPA of Admissions Offered
Total Admissions Accepted Total Admissions Average SAT of Admissions Offered Total Applicants Offered
Credits Offered and Total Number of Students
Average SAT of Admissions Offered
Underrepresented Minorities Among Admissions Offered
Number of Credits Total Number Offered of Students
**Projections for 2000-01 Underrepresented Minorities Among Admissions Offered
Page 4 U H HonorsLink C Accounting for Herself
One faculty member who has left As the primary organizer for an an impression on Oregon State and the OSU orientation program called JAW University Honors College is Mary Alice Breaker, or Junior Accounting Work- Seville, College of Business. A 17-year shop, Seville had a few desired goals veteran professor at OSU, she has for the program. First, she wanted made exemplary contributions through to see connections between account- her service, teaching, and expertise in ing students and faculty. Second, by accounting. inviting accounting professionals to Seville was a member of the participate, the workshop successfully group that gave shape to the Univer- introduced students to the business sity Honors College, the UHC Council, world, linking them with mentors in from 1996-99, (chair from 1997-99). problem-solving activities. Photo by Linda Wallace The Council is the policy-making body Seville is not just an Mary Alice Seville answers questions in BA 215H Fundamentals of Accounting, a 4-credit Honors of the UHC, made up of faculty and academic; she enjoys walking, horse- elective course for non-business majors. students. Among other things, the back riding, and rafting. She was a council oversees the creation of the United Way Boardwalk Trainer in 1989- will hopefully include an abundance of admission essay questions, does much 90, and served as a board member for travel. “I’ve hardly been anywhere,” of the reading of those essays, and the United Way from 1990-96. She she said. On her agenda for this sum- approves annual coursework offerings. has rafted the Deschutes River, and is mer is a trip to India and Indonesia. Throughout her career, Seville constantly on the lookout for new chal- Not surprisingly, as she is an avid has maintained a dedicated research lenges. In August, she will participate educator, Dr. Seville would like to teach interest in non-profit organizations' in her third Hood-to-Coast relay. With abroad during her retirement. She use of accounting information. One medals to show for the past two years, thinks it will give her the opportunity of her favorite projects was her work, she'll be a force to reckon with again to get to know the countries she visits from '92-'99, with the Financial Ac- this year. from a perspective very different from counting Standards Board task force. Dr. Seville has announced her that of a tourist. Of her other post- FASB establishes and recommends retirement for June 2001. As for her retirement projects, one she is most improvements in standards for finan- prospects after teaching, she says they looking forward to is volunteering time cial accounting for all entities except governments. Seville says the project Student Focus: Melanie Spraggins — was a highlight because the partici- pants “had direct input into accounting A UHC Student Deeply Involved standards.” Her work with FASB left Melanie Spraggins going to meetings between my classes burns her candle at — I have to admit there have been times her with admiration for those who set both ends. In addition accounting standards. when I was thinking about student fees to being in the Univer- rather than listening to my biology pro- sity Honors College, UHC Student Receives she is an Environmental fessor. Throughout this year, my days Two Distinguished Awards Science Major, Chemis- have started early and ended late into try and Ethnic Studies the night after I finished my homework. Thomas Young, Minor, with certificate Although I see my career in educa- sophomore, options in Pre-Edu- tion, through my involvement in ASO- Biology, with a cation and Environmental Ethics. Did we SU, I have become an expert in issues bird of prey at mention she just finished a term as ASOSU I had not previously known anything Hawk Haven (Associated Students of Oregon State Uni- about: childcare, student health insur- versity) President? Melanie plans to attend Wildlife Reha- ance, workers rights, financial aid, state bilitation graduate school as a step to becoming a col- lege professor. Here is Melanie’s description and federal politics, or managing staff. & Education However, I have enjoyed learning about Center. of her past year at Oregon State University. (Photo courtesy The Daily Barometer.) all the issues students face regardless of whether I have had to personally deal Thom recently received two prestigious with those problems. awards; the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and "It has been by no means an easy year balancing my academic work and being Through my involvement outside the a two-year appointment as a Barry Goldwater four walls of the classroom, I have Scholar for his research on ecosystem conser- the President of ASOSU. Few people vation. know that I am an environmental science been successful in dedicating my year Thom spent spring term 2000 in Costa Rica major and a member of the University to ensure that all students have a right doing research. Honors College. It has been challenging to a fair and equitable education."
Page 5 U HonorsLink H C UHC Grads — Where are they now? Joe Voje — First UHC Grad — '97 Mark Muktoyuk — '98
Joe Voje (HBA, History) finished a four-year Honors Scholar track in two Mark Suluc Kukuluk Muk- years and returned to active duty in the Navy as an officer. With his wife and toyuk (HBS, Math) just two children, Joe left for Pensacola and flight school, only to discover a pesky finished his MA in Applied inner-ear issue and a different Naval track as Aerospace Maintenance Duty Mathematics at the University Officer. He now oversees 230 sailors and civilian contractors maintaining 14 of Arizona after two years of uniquely configured F/A-18s, including the Navy’s newest aircraft. hard work and very little rain. Flying is still part of his routine, checking high tech computer-assisted In the course of applying for a weaponry. Encouraging young Naval personnel to do their best and to further job as an applied mathemati- their education is more exciting yet. Joe will soon be reassigned from China cian at a local hydrology firm, Mark’s potential Lake, California, where he substitutes at the local high school and where crit- employer took particular note of his Honors ter hunting is a favorite family activity, to join the Golden Dragon Air Group Baccalaureate degree and he is now employed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk in Japan. He hopes for assignment in Europe so he at that firm. Mark recently married and after can continue work on his MA, then launch a teaching career at overseas schools traveling in Europe on his honeymoon, will run by the Department of Defense. begin working in Tucson.
Anne Marie Vassallo — '98 Dan Euhus — '99
Anne Marie Vassallo (HBA, Economics) departed for Dan Euhus (HBS, Chemi- Costa Rica on a Global Graduate internship after com- cal Engineering) headed to mencement to work on microcredit and affordable housing. graduate school at Georgia Anne Marie became very familiar with hurricanes in the Tech, via a summer intern- year following graduation. While in the Dominican Re- ship in Cincinnati. Dis- public, she was threatened by Hurricane Georges, followed covering eight lanes on the by Hurricane Mitch in Costa Rica, then Hurricane Floyd freeway and more people in when she returned home to New Jersey. Prior to entering metropolitan Atlanta than the a joint JD/MCRP (Law and Master of City and Regional entire state of Oregon was Planning) at Rutgers University, Anne Marie worked for only slightly daunting to Dan and wife Kim. the Downtown Corvallis Association Riverfront Project as Not content to simply work on his Ph.D., Dan a liaison to the public. also turned his Honors thesis into a scholarly Wanting to pass along some of the lessons of her submission to a prestigious professional jour- NCAA gymnastics career, Anne Marie found time to coach nal. In many ways Dan’s graduate work is an 7- and 8-year-olds this past year. During the summer of extension of his honors thesis. He is research- 2000 she will clerk in the General Counsel Office of Montgomery County, Mary- ing sodium salt scaling of evaporation heat land. Recalling OSU, Anne Marie reports that the Valley Library is a thing of transfer surfaces with an eye to application beauty and the UHC tells it like it is — learning is learning to learn. in the pulp and paper industry. If he solves the problems, it will be a multi-million dollar solution. By looking at crystallization kinet- Rick Osburn — '99 ics, Dan will be in a position to recommend economical and efficient applications. With Rick Osburn (HBS, Chemical Engineering) a National Science Foundation Fellowship in elected to forego a generous graduate school offer to hand, awarded in part on the basis of his UHC assume a position with Georgia Pacific in Belling- thesis research, Dan is assured of support for ham, Washington. Within a week of commencement, the three years it will take to earn his Ph.D. the moving van was at the door. Rick reported to his new position, providing technical support for pulp production facilities and computer modeling of production processes in evaluating capital project Miranda Dodd — '99 design and optimization. Rick contributes to heat and water conservation projects and settling lagoon aeration. As part of his Miranda Dodd (HBS, Geology) just job Rick travels to the Gulf states, Wisconsin and Georgia. Rick’s UHC thesis dropped by to say she is leaving a position project placed first in a NW Regional competition and that lead to a presentation with Hewlett-Packard to enter the Peace Corps at the AIChE National conference in Dallas. for assignment in Mauritania. In a brief note Together with daughter Christie, Rick has been biking the San Juans and the Miranda commented that her UHC thesis will city of Vancouver. While there he met a Civil Engineer working on an advanced make graduate school considerably easier. degree in GIS Technology. They plan to marry in the near future.
Page 6 Honors Alumni Sheet Example What ever became of...? Bill Krippaehne Name: Bill Krippaehne 1973
Preferred Address*: 600 University Street, Suite 1525 City: Seattle State: WA Zip: 98101 Email*: [email protected] Accomplishments at OSU/Honors: '73 Dubach Award; '73 Scholar & Leadership Degree/Major/Year: BA, Humanities & Award; Blue Key Honorary; Honors Program Social Science '73; MBA, '76 - OSU participation and senior thesis Current Position: President/CEO, Fisher Favorite Memories: Honors Program expe- Co. (1993-); Chairman, Fisher Properties; rience and its leadership also a Director of Safeco Corporation Life Since Graduation: '85-'86 OSU Alumni Focus: Broadcast and High-Tech Association President (1st out-of-state Presi- Communications; Property Development/ dent); serving on boards of Management; Subsidiaries in Flour Mill- a number of non-profit organizations; ing and Food Distribution recent highlight, the development of Fisher William Krippaehne Plaza, a high-tech hub in Seattle 1999 Family: Married, four children *Check if you grant permission to share with peers or current students
Honors Alumni Sheet
What ever became of...? OSU Yearbook Name: Photo — we will supply if Preferred Address*: Alumni: Please complete in yearbook this form and return to City: State: Zip: the UHC, address/fax info pg. 2 Email* : Accomplishments at OSU/Honors: Degree/Major/Year: Current Position: Please supply a snapshot Favorite Memories: Focus: Life Since Graduation:
*Check if you grant permission to share with peers or current students Family:
Please join Bill Krippaehne, the model for our Alumni Profile Sheet, in updating us on you and your activities since graduating from OSU's Honors Program/UHC. Our goal is to compile these profiles into a booklet to share with Honors alumni and current UHC students. Please note if you DO NOT want us to share your information with alumni and/or students.
Page 7 University Honors College Non-Profit Org. Oregon State University U.S. Postage 229 Strand Hall PAID Corvallis, OR 97331-2221 Corvallis, OR RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Permit No. 200
A Taste of Space “Weightless Wonder” The equipment was loaded and proce- or more familiarly, the dures planned out. We were issued our “vomit comet.” I didn’t flight suits and watched one more safety think twice about join- video before boarding the plane. The ing. At that time I don’t first time we hit zero gravity I was totally think anyone really knew focused on taking reliable data and not how amazing this project losing my breakfast. I was fascinated would be. The project it- with the dust particles floating up from the self was called a Magneti- floor as I concentrated on writing data on cally Assisted Fluidized a pad stuck down with Velcro. In order to Bed. write, I held on to the frame supporting It adapted a technology the experiment so I wouldn’t float away. reliant on gravity to work But even if I held on I would still end in space by substituting up upside down because sometimes the the gravitational force gravity force would be slightly negative with a magnetic force. [pointing to the ceiling]. We wrote a pro- The best way to describe zero gravity posal and sent it to is that it is like swimming under water the Reduced Gravity except there is no water [nothing to kick Flight Group at Johnson against if you get stuck floating], and By Heather McCaig Space Center in Hous- one’s perception of up and down isn’t My head has always been in the clouds. ton, TX. After three months of waiting, always accurate. There were several As long as I can remember I have wondered we received word that our project was times I could have sworn the experiment what it would be like in space. Science accepted. At the end of winter term the was on the ceiling of the plane when I fiction further fueled my imagination, and team traveled to Houston and spent two was actually the one upside down. I soon envisioned humanity in a thousand weeks at the Johnson Space Center. Each “parabola” of the flight consisted years trying to organize galactic-size To experience NASA was truly one of of a 1.8 g portion and a zero g portion. governments. I was quick to realize my the highlights of my life. Walking into There were 29 parabolas with 25-second daydreams would never come true unless hanger 990 for the first time at Ellington intervals of zero gravity in which to col- the people of today worked to make them Air Field was awe-inspiring. There were lect usable data. reality. Today, space is one of few tangible military fighter jets taking off continually, This project was an amazing experi- frontiers left to explore. It is where our and the KC-135 — as well as another ence. I would like to believe it is also a future lies. I decided that I will be one of NASA plane nicknamed the Super Guppy beginning. I intend to continue on my those who will make humanity’s future in — was parked outside. Over the next week path towards space by getting an intern- space the reality that I have dreamed of for we rebuilt the experiment and prepared for ship with NASA after my sophomore so long. the flight. We were given personal tours year. Perhaps one day I will even get to Last fall I heard about a NASA of Johnson Space Center and met several see the earth from orbit. research possibility in Chemical En- inspiring astronauts, including Don Pedit Heather McCaig, first year, Chemical Engi- gineering called the Reduced Gravity — an OSU graduate. We were even able neering, balances her coursework and love Flight Project. This opportunity would to sit at the consoles in the old Apollo-era of space with a serious commitment to ballet. involve flying an experiment on NASA’s control room. KC-135 microgravity plane, called the The day of the flight was soon at hand.
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