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Fascinated by the art of ancient cultures, Daina White ’07 (Montvale, N.J.) has taken several courses on the subject at Lafayette. This semester, the art major is pursuing independent research on the influence of women on ancient Egyptian and Greek art.
“I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the topic,” White says. “And I hope the project serves as a springboard for me to take the subject even further in another independent study or [senior honors] thesis.”
She is examining the reign of Hatshepsut, an 18th Dynasty pharaoh who was one of ancient Egypt’s few female rulers.
“Most of Egypt’s pharaohs were male so she’s unique because she’s female, but she’s especially unique because she seized power with her stepson, ruled 33 years, and took on all male attributes,” White says. “For example, she would wear the royal beard, and she told people she was the male son of a god incarnate, and they believed her.”
White is preparing a paper that details her work and opinions about Hatshepsut’s influence on Egyptian culture and art. Her opinions are the most important part of the project, says her research adviser, Ida Sinkevic, associate professor of art.
“Her original statement and her personal thoughts on the topic are how she will really provide a contribution,” Sinkevic explains. “That is what scholarship is all about.”
Sinkevic often involves students in her research and serves as a mentor for their own research. She is particularly interested in the ornate Byzantine churches of her native Balkans. She is the author of The Church of St. Panteleimon at Nerezi: Architecture, Programme, Patronage, and articles on Byzantine art and architecture. Twice she received the Lafayette A.G. Mellon Fellowship, and she developed a First-Year Seminar that examines famous architectural structures.
Not only does the independent study offer White an intensive opportunity to frame her opinions, the time she spends studying ancient civilizations will prepare her for a semester abroad in Athens, Greece.
“It’s a matter of obtaining culture and education,” White says. “Having this background so fresh in my memory, I will know more about the places I am in, appreciate them more, and be able to talk knowledgeably about them.”
In Athens, she will study art and architecture, mythology and religion, Modern Greek language, and the geology and biology of Greece’s natural environment.
“Daina has great intellectual curiosity, and I feel that this is excellent preparation for her as she’s getting ready to spend a semester in Athens,” Sinkevic says. “Studying the history and art of a country really prepares you for living in that county. Particularly with Daina’s interests, she will be satisfying her intellectual curiosity because she really does want to learn more about the art and culture of Greece.”
Sinkevic adds that if White pursues a senior honors thesis next year, she will be well prepared for the intensive research.
“It usually takes a bit of practice to learn to do research on your own,” she says. “With an independent study, she’s out there on her own trying to find relevant information on her topic. Many times, even when you find relevant information, you have to learn to discriminate between what should be incorporated into your argument and what isn’t pertinent. I would be reluctant to take on a thesis student who has never done independent research.”
White adds that she is developing time management skills, reading both advanced and archaic texts, and writing extensively.
“There’s so much value in doing something I really love and am passionate about,” she says. “If I just had another course, it would still be interesting, but probably not as great of an experience. Lafayette allows students to take on independent studies, research opportunities, and thesis projects, and they are unique opportunities to really delve into topics of [a student’s] choice.”
White is president of Ceramics Society, a peer adviser for International Students Association, new member coordinator of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, and a member of Crew Club, College Theater, and Outdoors Club. She participated in an Alternative School Break trip to Homestead, Fla., where she spent spring break working on environmental and animal protection projects with the Outpost and Wildlife Refuge in the Everglades. She is a graduate of Pascack Hills High School.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Thirty-nine students were accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.