Spotlight On

Shelby French, '14
The sky's no limit

When Shelby French, '14, was five years old she told her grandmother she wanted to fly airplanes. Today, this New Hampshire native is learning to do just that.

Where did this come from, this desire to be airborne? It's not too hard to see. When she was young, Shelby’s family would visit the nearby Nashua airport and sit at the end of the runway to watch the small planes take off and land. Back then, Shelby believed that the best part of any family vacation was the thrill of flying to their destination.

During her time at Bridgewater Shelby has shared her passion. As a counselor at the university-sponsored ACE Camp - which allows local high school students a chance each summer to learn first-hand about aviation - and as a tutor to her fellow students, Shelby has been educating others about the joys of flight.

Along with her degree course work, ground school and community service, Shelby has joined the BSU flight team. All this should prepare her for a high-flying future. After graduation, Shelby hopes to become an airline pilot or join the National Guard to fly Blackhawks. (To read a full interview with Shelby visit http://www.bridgew.edu/Aviation/Student%20profile%20Shelby%20French.pdf; special thanks to Greg Bongiorno of the Aviation Science Department)

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Jennifer Ashley, G '14
"Pedaling" Ideas Across Campus

Jennifer Ashley of Columbus, Ind., is pursuing her master’s degree in athletic training. Her research project, "Feasibility of a Bike Share Program at BSU," looks at the viability of bike sharing as a form of alternative transportation on campus. “I love the sustainability and the physical aspects of cycling,” she said. “This project is incredibly timely with the uncertain global economy.  It would be great for our campus community to have environmental friendly transportation."  

Part of Jenn’s methodology included traveling to other local campuses that already use alternative modes of transportation, where she conducted interviews to gather information that would aid in her creation of various models that could be applied at BSU. She also created a survey that was disseminated on the BSU campus. Her findings? "It's definitely possible," she reports. "Ninety-percent of the students surveyed want access to bikes for use [around campus]."

Jennifer was mentored by two BSU faculty members, Drs. Pamela Russell and Tom Wu, both of the Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies Department. As an avid bicyclist herself, Dr. Russell was enthusiastic about the project and fully supportive of a bike share program on campus. Dr. Tom Wu elaborates on the importance of Jen's research: “This project has a significant impact to us because it can reduce the CO2 pollution and promote physical activity at the same time." Dr. Wu's own research interests deal with sports biomechanics and tie in nicely with Jen's research. He adds, "If in the future we are able to implement a bike sharing program at BSU and we have many faculty members and students participating in the program, we can then begin to evaluate people's mechanics on riding a bike. Perhaps we can then educate people on how to ride a bike more efficiently, and even attempt to design a bike that is more ergonomically-friendly.”

No matter what the final impact of the project, it’s clear that Jenn contributed a big piece of the puzzle. She presented her research at the 2011 ATP Summer Symposium.

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Bonnie (Fletcher) Dunigan, '12
A hands-on approach to life and learning

Psychology major Bonnie (Fletcher) Dunigan, '12, is the first-ever Adrian Tinsley Program participant to be the first-listed author of an article in a peer-reviewed journal. The article, "A Preliminary Examination of the Effect of Massage on Stated Body Image," was published in Body Image: An International Journal of Research. It was funded by a 2008 ATP summer grant and co-authored by Drs. Teresa King and Brendan Morse of the Department of Psychology.

The Easton resident also presented her research at the 2009 National Conference on Undergraduate Research, held at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, and published her findings in BSU's Undergraduate Review. Ms. Dunigan's research on the positive effects of massage on psychological health began early in her undergraduate career at BSU when she applied for, and was awarded, several ATP semester grants. In the summer of 2009, she traveled to Yarmouk University in Jordan with Dr. King and three other BSU students to conduct research on body image. Those findings she presented at the ATP summer symposium in August 2009.

Ms. Dunigan is a 1999 graduate of Oliver Ames High School. After graduation from BSU, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in clinical psychology as she prepares for her dream career of combining massage with traditional counseling.

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Carl Hollant, '14
He has the keys to the game

One doesn't typically associate 6' 3" 235 lbs. tight ends with concert pianists, but both ball playing and Beethoven are what occupy a lot of time for Carl Hollant, a sophomore from Brockton, Massachusetts. The gregarious young man is pursuing a double major at Bridgewater in criminal justice and music.

"I started playing the piano when I was 10 years old, and I continued until about my second year at Brockton High School when I stopped," he explains. "Then one day when I first came to BSU I was in the Campus Center and I heard a piano. I wandered into the room to listen and I realized how much I missed it. I e-mailed Dr. Deborah Nemko of the music faculty and asked if I might be admitted to a class. Once I told her my history, she said, 'I'm going to give you private lessons.' And so began my reintroduction to the piano, thanks to Dr. Nemko. She's a fantastic teacher and mentor. Subsequently, I added music as my second major due to her influence."

All types of music appeal to Carl - "I love classical and I love jazz and also gospel music too. Right now I'm working on pieces by Bach and Beethoven."

His main goal remains a career in the field of criminal justice, but he won't abandon the piano, he insists. "Eventually I'd like to become a detective in a homicide division," he said. "However, music is something one can do in many venues so I'm sure I'll continue performing. I won't give up the piano a second time." (Profile and photo by David K. Wilson, '71, Office of University Advancement)

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Megan O. Kenealy, '06
An Education in Craftsmanship

Megan O. Kenealy, ’06, has an ideal job for someone who majored in art at BSU and who is a veteran craftswoman herself: director of continuing education at Boston’s North Bennett Street School, which specializes in hands-on training in traditional trades and fine craftsmanship.

From bookbinding to violin making, from cabinet and furniture making to jewelry making and repair, the North Bennet Street School, incorporated in 1885, is renowned world-wide for its emphasis on the trades.

Ms. Kenealy credits the Adrian Tinsley Program at BSU for helping prepare her for this career.

“I had two grants, one a semester grant with Preston Saunders as my mentor and the other a summer research grant where I worked with Professor Rob Lorenson both of the Art Department,” she explains.  “My summer grant project was titled, ‘I Haven’t Bound What I Am Looking For’ and the focus was on artist books and bookmaking. It helped expose me to book arts. If it weren’t for the Adrian Tinsley Program, I might not be where I am today.

“I may not be binding as many books as I used to,” she adds, “but I help others take workshops and learn an appreciation for craftsmanship.” (Profile and photo by David K. Wilson, ’71, University Advancement)