Making the Most of Summer Months Posted on August 17th, 2010 by Marketing and Communication

by Hanna Schutte ’11

A case study of a political organization.

Chemistry research of enzymes and proteins.

Geological research of northeastern Minnesota.

And a production of the musical Thrill Me.

With class recess during the months of June, July, and August, most Gustavus students pack up and head home. For some Gustavus students, however, summer provides a three-month opportunity to conduct research or work on an independent, academic project with professors such as those listed above.

Research and project-based work is conducted in several departments on campus under the direction of faculty advisers. This enables students to learn more about a topic they are interested in, expand upon the more traditional textbook learning, and gain experience for potential post-graduate studies.

Ben Johnson-Tesch '12, chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology major, at work doing summer research. (Photo by Hanna Schutte '11)

With the summer recess coming to a close, student research is winding down. But the summer research will not be tucked away and forgotten. It will be used in future learning. To see results from Gustavus summer research, plan to attend these fall events:

• A Research Symposium presented by the chemistry department to showcase student work will be held Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Nobel Hall.
• The performance of the musical Thrill Me, written by Stephen Dolginoff and directed by Gustavus theatre and dance professor Henry MacCarthy, will be performed at the Lowry Lab Theatre in St. Paul Sept. 16-19.
• And many of the summer research projects may be featured at the 2010-2011 Celebration of Creative Inquiry, to be held May 6, 2011.