Nine Wabash men will spend the first eight weeks of their summer studying interesting cultural aspects of the Hoosier state.

Wabash students, working with faculty and staff mentors, will develop and deliver a series of modules that will compose a curriculum focused on Indiana’s culture. During the summer of 2005, nine Wabash men created the first Present Indiana projects.

These video and PowerPoint presentations will be made available to a variety of audiences who will benefit from an introduction to the rich heritage and opportunities associated with living, studying and working in Indiana.

During the course of their 8 weeks of research, they'll be blogging here about their experience, the things they've learned, and living on the Wabash campus during the summer months.

Meet the participants: 

Aaron Spolarich '08, Schererville, Indiana, is an English and Psychology double major. Aaron is a swim team member, water polo club, a disc jockey for 91.3 WNDY FM, and is active in the pre-law society. Aaron will conduct a review of Indiana authors, and then limit his study down to two or three. Authors such as Kurt Vonnegut, Michael Martone, and Booth Tarkington all have deep connections with the state.

Omar Mainuddin '09, Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a Biology major and member of the International Student's Association and Mulsim Student's Association. His project will study the growth of the life sciences sector of Indiana. His final presentation plans to integrate the various aspects of the industry and give his audience an idea about the increased prospects of employment, and the innovative benefits of the initiative.

Kunga Choden '09, is a Tibetan refugee from Nepal. He is majoring in Biology. Kunga is secretary in the International Student Association. His research will focus on the environmental aspects of Blue Spring Caverns. The research's primary purpose is to encourage youth and adults to appreciate nature. The project will deal with the history and geography of the BlueSpring Caverns.

Andy DeRolf '08, Shelbyville, is majoring in History. Andy is a member of Phi Gamma Delta, Brass Ensemble, Fencing Club, Sons of Wabash, and the Edmund O. Hovey Society. His project will look into the culture of "Native" Hoosiers, or Indiana's American Indians. So far, his investigation has led him to communicate with the tribal leaders of the Miami Nation about education projects for young Hoosiers.

Clayton Craig ’08, Morristown, is majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry and Economics. Clayton is captain of the Wabash College Diving team, President of the Glee Club, and a member of Kappa Sigma. His Present Indiana Project consists of canoeing down the Wabash River and researching its natural history. Clayton will look specifically at farming practices and the impact each has on the Wabash River.

Zachariah Webb ’08, Anderson, In., is majoring in History. Zach is a member of Kappa Sigma, wrestling team, and French Club. Zach, along with Clayton Craig ’08 and Homer Twigg ’08 will research and canoe the Wabash River. His part of the project will be to not only record the trip, but also to record how the river has affected small town life in Indiana.  His final project will be a historiography of the Wabash River.

John Meara '07, is majoring in History. John is the president and member of Phi Kappa Psi, APO, and the Bass Club. His project will look at covered bridges in Indiana, and their importance to Indiana's history and heritage.  John will work with the Indiana Covered Bridge Society, and visit many covered bridge sites. His final presentation will be a video and a presentation regarding covered bridges.

Timothy Ulrey '08, Lafayette, is majoring in Spanish with concentrations in Education and International Studies. He's a Theta Delta Chi member, jazz band participant, Unidos Por Sangre, and gives private lessons for Spanish and trumpet. His project is to investigate how Hispanics in Indiana add culture to our state. He will visit Hispanic leaders, business owners, and other influential Hispanics throughout Indiana. 

Homer L. Twigg IV '08, Indianapolis, is a Religion major. Homer recently just finished a spring at Wabash filled with rugby matches, fraternity obligations at Kappa Sigma, and the application process for oversea study next spring in India. Homer is the GM of the Wabash Radio station and member of the Newman Center. Homer's Present Indiana project is to navigate the team down the channels of the Wabash