Thank You Letters



Megan Hourigan

Program of Emphasis: International Studies, Secondary in Environmental Studies

Hometown: Memphis, NY

High School: Manlius Pebble Hill School

Why I chose to attend Juniata: I came to Juniata because I could see people here were really passionate about their areas of study - from the physics lounge that is full of character to the cult following of Dr. Nagengast.

Clubs and Organizations: Habitat for Humanity, Model United Nations, AAUW.

Travels Abroad: Gambia - 3 weeks, summer 2011. I worked at a women's vegetable co-op and visited the UN Food and Agriculture Organization there. Ecuador - 2 semesters, summer 2011 - spring 2012. I volunteered at a boys' detention center where I worked in their organic vegetable garden. I spent a few days in a very remote indigenous village with a family in the Andes.

Research Participation: Diversity and Invasibility of Biofuel Cropping Systems Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University Summer 2012 Over the summer I designed and executed a research project in Michigan to look at the relationship between seeded diversity (how many species were seeded into a field) and invasibility (how many weeds invaded) of biofuel plots.

Most Interesting Class: I have taken many great classes at Juniata but this semester my favorite class is Irish History with Alison Fletcher. This is the first year I've been able to take a class not directly related to my POE and I love the reading material and the discussions we have in class.

Favorite Faculty Member: Dr. Nagengast by far has had the greatest impact on my life here. He has been advising me since June 2009 when I came to Juniata for freshman orientation. He led the trip to the Gambia and this year especially was extremely helpful in preparing my Fulbright application to the Galápagos Islands.

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