Spring Term Experience Endowment Award
Hanover sophomores, juniors or seniors looking for funds to help finance a spring-term project or activity that goes above and beyond the normal work of any course had the opportunity to submit a proposal to apply for funding provided through the Parents' Association Spring Term Experience Endowment.
Spring 2005 marked the first year that funds were made available to upperclassmen students through proposals submitted to the Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, who forwards it to the Student Academic Assistance Committee. The SAAC is responsible for choosing the best proposal(s) and administering the monetary award. The Hanover College Parents' Association Board of Directors established the endowment in 2004 that produces a source of income for the annual award(s).
Awards must specifically be used for a project or activity during spring term that enables the student to explore the opportunity to engage in work that contributes to his or her academic, professional and/or personal development in a significant way. The project or activity may be conducted on or off campus.
The distribution of one or more awards is based on the merit of the project, the significance of its impact on the student, and potential broader benefits to the College or wider community.
Projects and proposals are required to include:
- Nature and objectives of the project or activity
- Rationale of how project or activity goes above and beyond the normal work of required course work
- Support statement from instructor if in conjunction with a course
- Background and qualifications for carrying out the project
- Anticipated outcomes, including current or future benefits resulting from the completed project
- Description detailing means of and timetable showing evidence of ability to complete project during spring term
- Detailed budget of all expenses to be incurred in carrying out the project or activity with supporting documents
Following the completion of the project or activity, the student is required to file two reports with the Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs. A project report must summarize originally proposed goals, describe the student's experience in the activities carried out under the grant, analyze information gathered through those activities and assess the success of the project in meeting its stated objectives and its significance for the student. A financial report itemizing expenditure of funds received and supporting documentation must also be submitted.
The Hanover College Parents' Association Board of Directors may invite the student to attend one of its meetings during the following academic school year to share the results of the project or activity. Recipients of the award are encouraged to comply with the Board's request if invited, although compliance is not required. Students may only receive one Spring Term Experience Award per academic year.
2005
Jennifer Crye '05 was the first recipient of the Parents' Endowment for Spring Term Study award, conducting a research project on "Applied Anthropology: Experiencing and Sharing Information about Food Aid Projects and the Cultural Significance of Food." Jenny planned, prepared and presented food for the participants of a festival for Wake Up and Live on Hanover's campus. Vegetarianism was an important consideration with foods for the participants in this event and the menu was planned in accordance with the beliefs of those involved. According to Chanasai Tiengtrakul, Ph.D., Sociology and Anthropology Professor, Jenny's project provided an informational and experimental session concerning global consumption and distribution of food items.
2006
Ryan Keller '07 was the second recipient of an award from the Parents' Endowed Fund. Ryan's topic of study was, "Conservation-A Consequence of Production." Ryan traveled to Saline, Kansas to attend a weekend course at the Land Institute, providing him the unique opportunity to experience firsthand the agricultural philosophy of Wes Jackson. The Land Institute's primary mission is to better understand the earth's natural ecosystems so the growing problems within agriculture can be addressed. "The networking done at the Land Institute provided me with such a large variety of information that I seemed to gain a whole semester worth of information.."summarized Keller.
2007
Daniel Love '07 sought official certification in the fields of personal and group fitness training through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Cindy Koester '07 created curricula for three grade levels on the nature trail behind Southwestern Elementary School based on four stations on the trail at various points.
Jeremy Brownlee '09 studied the topic, 'An Immersive Experience in the Taize, France Intentional Spiritual Community."
Patricia Rodda '07 investigated university students on Turkish membership in the European Union.
2008
Van Pham '09 will travel to the Ceres Conference 08-Building Leadership, Creating Solutions in Boston, MA where notable business leaders will examine the topic of global warming through the perspective of investment opportunities.
Molly Thurman '08 will observe different tiers of the public school system in Louisville, KY to note the similarities and differences, strenghts and weaknesses, and limitations of each level of schools within the system.
Luke Zwanziger '08 will attend Western Michigan University's International Congress on Medieval Studies to help prepare him to go to graduate school in Scotland for a degree in Celtic Studies.