Departmental Prizes and Awards

The following prizes and awards at Lycoming College might be of special interest to students in the Archaeology Program, the Religion Department, or the pre-Ministerial program (TPAC):

The Faculty Award
for Outstanding Academic Achievement in
Religion and Archaeology
presented to a graduating senior
demonstrating outstanding academic performance
and achieving the highest departmental grade point average
in Archaeology and Religion
(with a $100 cash prize attached)
Awarded jointly in 2000 to Marcus Myers in Archaeology and Joshua Pratt in Religion.
Awarded in 2002 to Holly Lehnig in Archaeology.
Awarded in 2003 to Shannon Wilson in Archaeology.
Awarded in 2004 to Edward Hunter in Religion.
Awarded jointly in 2005 to Laura Taylor in Archaeology and Katherine John in Religion.
Awarded jointly in 2006 to Stephanie Wanek in Archaeology and Margaret Bortner in Religion.
Awarded jointly in 2007 to Lindsay Vosburg in Archaeology and Kent Hayden in Religion.

The Eduardo Guerra Prize
in Biblical Languages
awarded to a student demonstrating excellent academic performance
and achieving the highest overall score in 1st year Biblical Greek or Hebrew
(with a $50 book prize attached)
Awarded in 2000 to Marcus Myers for Greek.
Awarded in 2001 to Holly Lehnig for Hebrew.
Awarded in 2002 to Laura Taylor for Greek.
Awarded in 2003 to Michele Burns for Hebrew.
Awarded in 2004 to Katherine Kressler and Kent Hayden for Greek.
Awarded in 2005 to Peter Via for Hebrew.
Awarded in 2006 to Kelly Szpara for Greek.
Awarded in 2007 to Marcella Barbosa for Hebrew.

The McDowell Scholarship
given to the senior ministerial student
who excels in scholarship, deportment, and promise of usefulness,
and who declares an intention to make ministry his or her life work
Awarded in 2002 to Dwaine Krebs.
Awarded jointly in 2003 to Steve Sharp and Emily Mingle.
Awarded jointly in 2004 to Ann Runnels and Edward Hunter.
Awarded in 2005 to Cynthia Betz.
Awarded jointly in 2007 to Kent Hayden and Sarah Hughes.

The M.B. Rich Prizes
to be given to two students who at a public contest excel in reading the scriptures;
and to two students who excel in writing and delivering an original oration

Another opportunity for students with a special interest in ethics (like what about the ethics of digging up 4,000-yr-old graves?) is the
Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics - an annual essay contest for college juniors and seniors sponsored by the Elie Wiesel Foundation (deadline for 2002 is 12/1/01; 3000-4000 words; first prize is $5,000 - that would sponsor a summer or two of digging...).

The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi presents a wonderful opportunity to be recognized for high achievement and involved nationally with some impressive programs, including travel scholarships for study abroad (which can also include a summer archaeological dig).

In 2006, Lycoming College founded a chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, a National Honor Society for Religion.

Double Majors in the History Department should consider joining the Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society
(Lycoming Chapter Zeta Zeta).

A number of our majors have also benefited from the Lycoming Scholars Program,
including Marcus Myers, Holly Lehnig, Ed Hunter, Jennifer Hochman, Jill Parker, Lee Zelewicz, Meghan Strong, Lindsay Vosburg, Kent Hayden, Celeste Purosky, Jason Zan.

For fall 2002 the Scholars Seminar topic was the Middle East. For fall 2006 it was on the Romans!

Study Abroad Travel Scholarships - For those looking for longer-term Study Abroad opportunities, the Study Abroad Program at Lycoming College offers $500 travel scholarships to help with travel expenses. The Honors Society of Phi Kappa Phi also offers travel scholarships for study abroad (see link above).

We are currently working on creating a Dig Scholarship Fund for Archaeology majors.

It is also possible to apply for outside scholarships through other organizations that regularly sponsor travel, research and digs in Israel and elsewhere such as -
   * the Biblical Archaeology Society (BAR Dig Scholarships)
   * the American Schools of Oriental Research
   * the Endowment for Biblical Research
   * the Albright Institute (currently geared towards longer-term, advanced study)
   * the Dorot Foundation (Dorot Travel Grants)
   * the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (grants for internships and study abroad)
   * the National Science Foundation
and others.

In 2001, Colin Casler was the recipient of a National Science Foundation dig scholarship to dig at the Athienou Archaeological Field School in Cyprus. Congratulations!

In 2002, Jennifer Hochman was the recipient of a National Science Foundation sponsored Summer Fellowship in Bio-Cultural Anthropology at Notre Dame (see below). Congratulations!

In 2004, Lee Zelewicz was the recipient of a National Science Foundation sponsored Summer Internship at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. Congratulations!

In 2007, Sabreina Slaughter was the recipient of a National Science Foundation scholarship to dig in Hawaii. Congratulations!

In 2007, Kyle Kissell and Kirsten Darby won Phi Kappa Phi travel fellowships to study abroad in Germany. Congratulations!

In 2007, Lindsay Vosburg was the recipient of a Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship for graduate study at the University of Memphis. Congratulations!

Internships are available for gaining hands-on work experience, while also possibly earning college credit:

   * Locally through the Lycoming County Historical Museum
       under Registered Professional Archaeologist James Bressler.
          In 2000 this honor went to Marcus Myers.
          In 2001 the museum was closed for renovations.
          In 2002 Stephanie Wanek, Jennifer Eaton, Derek Whitman, Nick Roberts and Michele Burns
                      secured work-study positions.

   * For aspiring historical archaeologists through the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology or
the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, which runs a Summer Internship Program with locations in Harrisburg (the State Museum and Commission Headquarters), Ambridge, Birdsboro, Chadds Ford, Ephrata, Erie, Galeton, Lancaster, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Strasburg, Washington Crossing, Weatherly, Womelsdorf, and many others. Possible subject areas include Collections Management, Curator in Archaeology or Zoology/Botany, Field Curator, Exhibitions, Museum Education, Archives, Conservation, Historic Preservation, Publications, History Division - Library, and Marketing, among others.
        In 2002, two Lycoming College history majors received appointments for these paid internships:
                     Abigail Appleman at the "Cloisters" in Ephrata, and Jamie George in Harrisburg.
        In 2003, Jennifer Eaton received an appointment at the headquarters in Harrisburg. Congratulations!

* For students with special interests in Art History and museum work at Art Museums across the country having extensive Classical or Ancient Near Eastern collections, such as those in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York and Boston, to name a few.
In 2002, Archaeology / Art History double major Shannon Wilson did a summer internship at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.

* For students with special interests and background in Anthropology at Museums of Natural History or Anthropology.
In 2004, Archaeology/Anthropology students Lee Zelewicz and Jessie Martin did this.

* In 2002, Archaeology / Art History double major Shannon Wilson did a summer internship at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.

* In 2004, Jessica Kaiser did a summer internship at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia, teaching and giving tours for a summer camp for teens; Lee Zelewicz did a summer internship at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History (Research Training Program) in Washington, D.C.; Jessie Martin did summer internships at the Vanderbilt Museum on Long Island and the Museum of Natural History in NYC, which just happened to have an exhibition on Petra at the time; Ashley Becker worked for the Blair County Historical Society; and Sean Reese taught a short class in Archaeology for the Lycoming College for Kids and Teens. Congratulations!

* In 2006, Nathan Ott did a summer internship at a Museum in Rochester NY. Congratulations!

* In 2007, Kirsten Darby did a summer internship at the Berlin Museum. Congratulations!

   * For students interested in combining Anthropology and Biology with Archaeology:
A 6-week interdisciplinary Summer Fellowship in Biocultural Anthropology at Notre Dame this summer (May 27 - July 9, 2003), sponsored by the University of Notre Dame, in cooperation with the American Schools of Oriental Research, L'Ecole Biblique...de Jerusalem, Augusta Victoria Hospital (Jerusalem) and the National Science Foundation. This is a 6-week interdisciplinary study course synthesizing biological, historical and archaeological data in a reconstruction of daily life in Byzantine Jerusalem.
    The program provides a travel stipend to the University of Notre Dame campus, double-occupancy housing in an on-campus dorm, a food allowance, text books, field trip transportation and entrance fees, a lecture program, research supplies, copying budget and free library and email access on campus.
    6 undergraduate credits are available through the University of Notre Dame.
    Sounds like a great deal to me! Check out the web site at http://www.nd.edu/~stephens. Applications due March 17th.
    In 2002, three Lycoming students were among the 20 finalists from across the entire country, out of which 10 were chosen to participate last year. One of our students, Jennifer Hochman, was granted a place, a second was selected as an alternate, should anyone else drop out. Congratulations!

* For aspiring ministers and others through TPAC, Campus Ministries, the Career Development Center, and the Community Service Fair, in the area of community service projects with organizations such as Hope Enterprises, the Lycoming County Literacy Project at the James V. Brown Public Library, Teen Haven, Young Life, Yokefellow Prison Ministry, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, Valley View Nursing Center, the Williamsport Home, HCR Manor Care (Pastoral Care Dept.), the Susquehanna Hospice program, North Central Sight Services, the YWCA, Ashler Manor (Community Residential Care for Girls), Trinity After School Program, Pine Street Methodist Church (various programs), Timberland Apartments, and many more. All of these organizations and more depend upon the hard work of regular volunteers. Many have established internship programs, while others would design an internship individually based on your own particular interests, abilities and availability. Most are on a volunteer basis, though some also provide for paid internships.

   * For Tutors at the Academic Resource Center.
     Recent Religion/Archaeology Tutors have included:
     Marcus Myers, Holly Lehnig, Jennifer Hochman, Bernardo Urdaneta, Katie John, Meghan Strong and Kirsten Darby.
     Language Tutors have included:
     Stephen Sharp, Katie John, Brandon Stewart, Jill Parker, Laura Taylor, and Kelly Szpara for Greek, and
     Jennifer Hochman, Cynthia Betz, Michele Burns and Aloys Rode for Hebrew.

   * For the Archaeology Slide Database Project.
     Students who have worked on this project include:
     Sarah Rayner, Laura Koons, Andrea Stottlemyer,
     Shannon Wilson, Jennifer Hochman, Michele Burns, Jill Parker, Katie John,
     Jason Zan, Katie Cherrington, Heather Rardin.

   * For the Archaeology Pottery Display Renovation Project.
     Students working on this project are Art and Archaeology double majors
     Shannon Wilson and Jill Parker, and dig veteran Michele Burns.
     Michele also worked on the pottery study collection.

   * At Snowden Library - in circulation, archives or technical services.
      Familiarity with the library, information literacy, is highly useful for potential graduate students!
      Archaeology majors Holly Lehnig and Michele Burns have done this recently.

* At the James V. Brown Library (our local public library, a block from campus).
Tressa Nolan did this a few years ago.

   * At the Lycoming County Historical Museum.
      History / Archaeology double major Jennifer Eaton worked there last year cataloguing
      museum holdings, along with Theater / Archaeology double major Nick Roberts.
      Other archaeology types working at the museum recently have been:
      Abigail Appleman, Stephanie Wanek, Derek Whitman and Michele Burns.

    * Archaeology Slide Cataloguer
    * Archaeology Exhibit Designer
    * Religion Tutor and Grader
    * Language Tutor and Grader (Hebrew, Greek)
    * Typist (Manuscript Preparation for Dr. Hughes)
    * Research Assistant (Dr. Johnson)

Dig Opportunities are ongoing. Many of our first-time volunteers have been offered assistant square-supervisor status, expenses paid, should they choose to return for the next dig season.
Hard work and dedication is definitely rewarded!
Our student diggers in the last few years include (*supervisor):

2000 at Megiddo, Israel (w/ Steven Johnson): Carol Stich, Anri Weisel, Holly Lehnig, *Michele Burns

2001 at Athienou, Cyprus: Colin Casler
2001 at Idalion, Cyprus (w/ Steven Johnson): Shannon Wilson, Allison Harding, Tressa Nolan,
Kristin Skvorak, Jesse Thompson

2003 at Idalion, Cyprus (w/ Pamela Gaber, Steve Johnson): Laura Taylor, Katie John, Jill Parker, Stephanie Moreira,
                                        Stephanie Wanek, *Michele Burns
2003 at Canfield, W'pt (w/ Robin VanAuken, Robin Knauth): Sean Reese, Jessica Kaiser, Joel Krauser, Lee Zelewicz,
                                        Ann Runnels, Rebecca Jervey, Rebecca Sander, Katy Grzywinski, Andy Lutzkanin,
                                        Andy Slawecki, Jennifer Rinehart

2004 at Idalion, Cyprus (w/ Pamela Gaber): *Jill Parker, *Stephanie Wanek; Pat Bierly, Rachel Blaasch, Tom Courtney,
Lee Hedges, Nicole Paterson, Nick Roberts, Jennifer Weston
2004 at Mendes, Egypt: Meghan Strong
2004 Thomas Lightfoote Inn and Snyder Site, W'pt (w/ Robin VanAuken, Michele Burns): ...

2005 at Idalion, Cyprus (w/ Pamela Gaber, Robin Knauth): *Nicole Paterson, *Jill Parker, *Stephanie Wanek;
Pat Bierly, Jennifer Weston, Meghan Engleman, Celeste Purosky, Chris Young, Austin Joy

2005 Muncy Canal Site, PA (w/ Robin VanAuken): April Bentz, Kyle Greene, Jocelyn Hendershot, Wes Keen,
Stephanie Ross, Amy Schriever, Erin Walker

2006 at Gezer, Israel (w/ Robin Knauth): Jason Zan, Aloys Rode, Brian Johnson, Alison Hamblin, Sarah Quinlan

2006 Muncy Canal Site, PA (w/ Robin VanAuken): Luis Hernandez, Kelly Driscole, Lauren Raby, Sara Gavlock

2007 at Gezer, Israel (w/ Robin Knauth): *Jason Zan, Lindsay Vosburg, Kirsten Darby, Marcella Barbosa, Leslie Haines,
Ian Shepherd, Matthew Martin, Sean McGrath, Allison Davis, Kara Hahn, Stefanie Schrader, Darlene Holt, Sam Daniel

2007 Muncy Canal Site, PA (w/ Robin VanAuken): Kathleen Eierman, Gilbert Thompson, Sara Smith, Keith Boyer

Colin Casler - for his job doing archaeological work in Maryland at Historic St. Mary's City and acceptance for graduate work in classical archaeology at the University of Glasgow, Scotland!

Holly Lehnig - for her acceptance to several graduate schools for doctoral work in Archaeology, now studying Arabic at the Defense Language Institute in CA for a future career in Army Intelligence!

Tressa Nolan - for her acceptance to graduate school to study Buddhism at the Naropa Institute in CO!

Shannon Wilson - for her recent marriage and acceptance to graduate school at Temple for Art History!

Michele Burns - for her acceptance to graduate school at U. Pitt. for Library Science, and an appointment at Lycoming as Hebrew Language Assistant!

Emily Mingle - for her acceptance to the Boston University School of Theology!

Jill Parker - for her acceptance to the M.A. Program in Art History at U.Mass. Amherst!

Katie John - for her marriage and acceptance to graduate school in counseling!

Nicole Nasuti - for her acceptance to the M.S. program in Library Science at Clarion University!

Stephanie Wanek - for her acceptance to the M.A. Program in Classics (Mediterranean Archaeology)
at SUNY Albany!

Lee Zelewicz - for his acceptance to a graduate program in Ethnomusicology at the U. of Arizona!

Adam Brown - for his acceptance to a graduate program in Ethnobotany at the U. of Hawaii!

Lindsay Vosburg - for acceptance to the M.A. Program in Art History/Egyptology/Archaeology at U.Memphis!

Meghan Strong - for acceptance to the M.A. Program in Art History/Egyptology/Archaeology at U.Memphis!

Jason Zan - for acceptance to the M.A. Program in Archaeology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary!

Religion Department: Hughes, Johnson, Knauth; pt: Cohen, Adams, Gilmore, France, Kilpatrick, Gaber
Archaeology Program Advisory Committee: Knauth, Johnson, Chandler, Golahny, Piper
Judaic Studies Committee: Knauth, Johnson, Chandler, Golahny, Whelan, Piper