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International Affairs and Russian & East European Studies major Stephanie Stawicki ’04 (Voorhees, N.J.) is gathering research materials for a book on the experiences of Russian soldiers and civilians during World War I. Stawicki is collaborating as an EXCEL Scholar with Joshua Sanborn, assistant professor of history.
Says Sanborn, “At present we are working with English and Russian materials concerned with occupation policies, ethnic cleansing in the region, the experience of refugees and prisoners of war, and the life of the Russian combat soldier. The project will also take note of the broader European experience during the war, and we are looking at recent scholarly works on World War I as a whole.”
Ultimately, Stawicki hopes to create a database that will serve as Sanborn’s primary source when he begins writing.
“I am assisting Professor Sanborn in locating sources and compiling research. I use a variety of databases available in the library,” she says. “Then I compile the information into a computer program to organize the various sources collected. In addition, I am reading sources and writing abstracts to assist Professor Sanborn in determining if a particular source is pertinent to his topics.”
Stawicki feels she has gleaned considerable experience from this EXCEL work, both by building knowledge about the subject matter and by honing her research skills.
“Not only am I learning more about World War I, Russia’s tumultuous transition from aristocracy to totalitarianism, and the societal effects resulting from World War I and the Russian Revolution,” she says, “I am also gaining invaluable research skills that will only benefit me for the rest of my time here at Lafayette and beyond.”
Sanborn concurs. “Stephanie gets to see how history books are actually researched and written by taking part in the process. She’s also getting real hands-on research skills with electronic databases, published sources, and major finding aids.”
Professor Sanborn has served as her mentor in a variety of ways.
“From providing me with advice concerning courses and future study abroad decisions, to leading an interim course to Russia and Poland this past January, and now giving me the opportunity to assist him with research, Professor Sanborn has been a great help in providing direction for me at Lafayette,” she says.
With an eye towards graduate school and hopes for a career in the Foreign Service, Stawicki feels this work will benefit her future plans.
“The study of the history of the region will only contribute to my understanding of current social and political struggles in the area,” she says.
She adds, “The availability and dedication of professors truly makes Lafayette a unique institution. The size of the school and constant interaction, both within and outside the academic setting, promotes a strong level of academics, as well as increased cooperative involvement from its faculty and students. I never hesitate to ask my professors questions or to seek their advice because they truly care about the current and future paths of their students.”
A graduate of Eastern High School, Stawicki is co-publicity chair for the Keefe Volunteer Floor, in which residents share an interest in community service. She is an Adopt-a-Grandparent volunteer, and a member of Residence Hall Council and Lafayette Christian Fellowship. With the International Affairs Club, Stawicki participated in the European Union Simulation in 2000. She is a tour guide for the admissions office and was student program coordinator of Open House 2001 and Prologue 2002. During the January interim session, Stawicki traveled to Russia and Poland with Sanborn to take a special Lafayette course called Russia and Poland: Past and Present.
A National Leader in Undergraduate Research. Stephanie Stawicki ’04 was invited to present her honors research under the guidance of Josh Sanborn, associate professor of history, at the 18th National Conference on Undergraduate Research.