Megan H. Luttrell is a junior from Marion, Massachusetts. A Russian major and History minor, she is a member of the UVM Old-Time Music Club and a two-year resident of the Russian House. Megan works as a translation volunteer with the Vermont Refugee resettlement and at Fletcher Elementary School. She also has a fledgling business making/selling pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs). This summer she will be going to Russia as she continues working on an honors thesis on Dostoevsky.
Megan sums up her feelings about receiving the Kidder Scholarship:
"When I received the phone call telling me I was awarded the Kidder Scholarship I was overcome by a string of emotions. At first I felt sheer bubbly excitement, then extreme gratitude, finally I felt relief. Attending a university, especially as an out-of-state student, makes finances tight. Having received the Kidder award, I felt a great part of the financial burden had been lifted.
"In the current economic situation, this scholarship allows me to continue my education in a time where other students may not be so lucky. As a Russian major I have always planned on studying overseas. Although the cost of the ticket to St. Petersburg alone seems daunting, the various scholarships that UVM has awarded me will allow me to take part in this incredible experience. After completing my studies at UVM I hope to continue on into graduate school and work my way toward a doctorate in Russian language and literature. I hope to work as a translator afterwards.
"I realize that the financial aspect of a scholarship is extremely important. However, it is not the only aspect that creates an impact. The Kidder award not only provides incentive for academic excellence, it also prizes dedication to community service. I feel that this scholarship promotes two extremely important ideas: education and giving back. I feel so honored for receiving this award, and incredibly thankful for the financial aid it
provides. Спасибо
большое!"
Criteria for the Kidder Scholarship:
Andrew Turgeon, a senior Geography major and Latin American Studies minor from Bennington, VT, shares how important the Academic Programs for Learning and Engagement (APLE) grant has been during his time at UVM:
"At the present moment, I am using funds that I received as an APLE grant recipient to undertake research for my Honors Thesis in Geography. I am investigating how teenagers in the Bennington, VT area perceive and experience their local communities, highlighting in particular their suggestions to make both the micro- and macro-level environments of their daily lives more inclusive of their ideas, activities and aspirations. My APLE award has enabled me to travel to Southern Vermont, implement a survey at the local high school and also conduct focus group activities with an afterschool program. Ultimately, I hope that the program participants and I will be able to present our findings to the student body and community leaders/organizations in the area. I will also present this work at the Association of American Geographers' Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV, alongside UVM faculty and other Geography Thesis students later in the semester. With the financial and academic support I have received from both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Geography Department, I have been able to connect my learning to my hometown in a dynamic and engaging manner. In doing so, I hope to encourage local young people and adults to engage in a discussion about the vitality and sustainability of their communities that promotes grounded change.
"Beyond working as a researcher in my hometown of Bennington, VT, I volunteer at the Chittenden County Food Shelf as part of the Food Salvage group on campus and enjoy attending potlucks and Burlington music events. After graduating this spring, I will be interning at the Geography Competitions Division of the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC for the fall term. I hope to work as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer after my internship."
Academic Programs for Learning and Engagement (APLE) in the
Department of Geography
The Department of Geography has interesting opportunities for undergraduate as well as graduate students. The Department has an active internship program; students occasionally participate in field and laboratory research projects with Geography faculty, and the Department offers an honors thesis program. Geography students also have opportunities during class time to work with professionals in the field on real-life issues.
