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WKU Students, Faculty In Bahamas The group is participating in a field course offered by WKU's Department of Geography and Geology on San Salvador Island. The course focuses on the modern carbonate geology and karst of the island. Research on the island will help students to understand ancient counterparts to those environments in southcentral Kentucky and the processes of global environmental change. The course is being led by geologist Dr. Fred Siewers, with support by geologist Dr. Michael May and biologist Dr. Ouida Meier, all WKU faculty members. While on San Salvador Island, the course will use the facilities of the Gerace Research Center, a research laboratory established for the study of Bahamian archeology, biology, geology and marine science. San Salvador Island is widely regarded as the location of first landfall by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Many U.S. universities conduct ongoing research on San Salvador Island. Students will receive course credit on the basis of a pre-trip paper, field investigations on the island, a post-trip paper and a course web site. Efforts are under way to establish an annual field course on the island. "International programs such as this expose our students and faculty to a wide variety of physical and cultural processes," said Dr. David Keeling, head of the Department of Geography and Geology. "Studying overseas is a key component in our mission of preparing students for success in a global society." Students participating include: Josh Brewer of Alvaton; Melinda Coleman, Leslie E. Falin, Tassall A. Hughes, Robert R. McCue, Yancy R. Moore, Rebecca S. Samples, Jeremy A. Tallent, Heather M. Veerkamp, all of Bowling Green; Elizabeth A. Robb of Smiths Grove; Jodi Lindsey of Roundhill; John M. Page and Neil A. Smith of Summer Shade; Jennifer L. Burns of Highland Heights; Tyler E. Corn of Warrick, Ind.; Andrea D. Croskrey of Blakesburg, Iowa; Matthew R. Grammatico of Spring Hill, Tenn.; Brian C. Ham and Michael A. Zimmerman, both of Nashville, Tenn.; Cody W. Holbrook of Brentwood, Tenn.; Benjamin W. Tobin of Hartford, Conn.; and Ashley N. Williams of Philpot. The course is supported by funds from the CPE Action Agenda, the Department of Geography and Geology, the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Kentucky Climate Center and the Hoffman Environmental Research Institute.
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