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Eleven members of Lafayette’s distinctive McKelvy House Scholars Program have authored articles in the 2000 edition of The McKelvy Papers, an annual journal of student scholarship. Six other McKelvy scholars, most all of whom published papers in last year’s edition of the journal, served as editorial staff.
In the McKelvy program, 19 students of high academic achievement and promise reside together in an historic off-campus house and participate in shared intellectual and social activities.
“The program promotes intellectual thought and discourse within the context of a residential environment,” says Helena Silverstein, an associate professor of government and law who served as faculty advisor in McKelvy House from 1996-2000. “Discussions foster intellectual growth, contribute to the creation of a scholarly community, and enhance the students’ ability to relate to people with diverse perspectives.”
Owen McLeod, assistant professor of philosophy, is the new faculty resident who began his term in the beginning of the fall semester. “I feel great about taking over McKelvy House and the McKelvy Scholars Program. We’ve formed a reading group that meets three times a week. And, of course there are the Sunday night meetings, during which we have dinner and discuss a topic chosen by one of the scholars. One of our recent discussions revolved around various interpretations of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, one of the fundamental postulates of quantum mechanics.”
The McKelvy House Scholars were featured as “the voice of the next generation” in the January 2, 2000, edition of the weekly national program CBS News Sunday Morning.
Articles in the 2000 edition of The McKelvy Papers:
“The Evolution of Knowledge” by Andrew Bennett ’01, Fair Haven, N.J. (mechanical engineering major)
Andrew says, “[McKelvy House] is a place that fosters intellectual conversation involving culture. I’ve formed some strong relationships with the people living here. I like living in a place with people who have similar interests. (I also recommend living here because the rooms are huge!)”
“21st Century Digital Boy” by Andrew Colton ’02, Hicksville, N.Y. (Marquis Scholar) (mathematics major)
Andrew says, “I chose to live in McKelvy because I wanted to try something different. I simply could not have passed up an intriguing opportunity such as the McKelvy House. My first year in the house certainly lived up to my grand expectations. The formal discussions, journal publication, and cultural events epitomized the benefits of being a McKelvy Scholar. It was the informal interaction between housemates, however, that stands out in my mind. I’ve been fortunate to form invaluable, long-term relationships during my stay. One reason I came back for another year was to expand on my current friendships and cultivate new ones.”
“Generation X and the American Dream” by Haley Dienst ’02, Stowe, Vt. (Marquis Scholar) (International Affairs)
Haley is studying abroad this semester in Athens, Greece.
“Christianity from Puritans to Present” by Becky Dreibelbis ’02, Hamburg, Pa. (Marquis Scholar) (geology)
Becky says, “Besides the friendships I’ve forged, other rewards have been the quiet and peaceful atmosphere that the house has. Because McKelvy is situated in a quiet section of town and has a huge yard, it really helps me unwind and forget about the stress of being on campus during the day. I also love how all the residents feel a sense of belonging in the house. Everyone’s opinions are respected at our dinner discussions.”
“School Reform” by Catriona Mhairi Duncanson ’02, Basking Ridge, N.J. (Marquis Scholar) (chemical engineering major)
Mhairi says, “I wanted to participate in an academic environment and I liked to get involved in the discussions. I loved the experience at McKelvy House. Some people I wouldn’t have met if I wasn’t at the house. I would definitely recommend the experience.”
“The Overused Spice” by Lauren Moses ’02, Everett, Wash. (behavioral neuroscience major)
Lauren is studying abroad this semester in Dijon, France.
“Racism and Sexism: Culprits of Poverty” by Angela Neal ’01, Germantown, Md. (psychology major)
Angela says, “I had a wonderful experience. I think the best thing was learning how to argue with confidence and opening my eyes to other people’s point of view. I also made some wonderful friendships.”
“Untitled” by Jason Paul ’02, Boca Raton, Fla. (government and law major)
Jason is studying abroad this semester in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
“Rest in Peace or Rest in Pieces: The Clash between Native American Religious Rights and Archaeology” by Carrie Ryder ’00, Pitman, N.J. (Marquis Scholar)
Carrie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science, summa cum laude with honors, in geology. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the honorary society for men and women studying the liberal arts and sciences, a member of Delta Phi Alpha, the honorary society for men and women promoting the German language and culture, and a member of Dobro Slovo, the honorary society for men and women studying Russian or Russian culture. She is a recipient of the James L. Dyson Geology Award and the Rexroth Prize in German.
“Tangles: Hair, Feminism, and Femininity” by Kira Stackhouse ’02, Easton, Pa. (art major)
Kira says, “I couldn’t be more happy! I feel that living here at McKelvy House I’m given a broader sense of independence. I like the idea of living with people with whom you can have an intellectual conversation. This was a really great opportunity for me to meet others like me who are willing to share their opinions and ideas. I would definitely recommend this program to other students, I believe it is a really special opportunity for student if they are genuinely interested in developing their intellect and getting to know other student with similar academic intentions.”
“An Exploration into the ‘Culturally Specific’ Art Museums of America” by Nicole Herbert ’00, Harrisburg, Pa.
Nicole graduated with a bachelor of arts degree, magna cum laude, with honors in art. She is a member of Pji Beta Kappa, the honor society for men and women studying liberal arts and sciences, and a recipient of the Paul Bernon Memorial Prize.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff of the 2000 edition of The McKelvy Papers included:
Janice Glass ’00, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Marquis Scholar)
Janice graduated with a bachelor of science degree, summa cum laude, with honors in chemical engineering. She is a member of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honorary society to mark those who have conferred honor upon their alma mater by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character as students in engineering. She is a recipient of the American Chemical Society Division of Polymer Chemistry Award, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Donald F. Othmer Award, the Eugene P. Chase Phi Beta Kappa Prize, the Gilbert Prize, the Dr. E. L. McMillen-K.K. Malhotra ’49 Prize, the Donald U. Noblett Prize in Chemical Engineering and the William G. McLean Tau Beta Prize.
In last year’s edition of The McKelvy Papers, Janice authored an article entitled “On the Morality of Wealth.”
Andrew Platt ’01, West Chester, Pa. (Marquis Scholar) (Philosophy major)
Andrew says, “What makes McKelvy unique is, of course, its emphasis on intellectual activity and interest. I chose to live in McKelvy to engage in meaningful, intelligent discourse with people with a passion for learning and with people with different backgrounds and areas of interest than my own. I returned to McKelvy because I found that this is indeed a place to do these things.”
In last year’s edition of The McKelvy Papers, Andrew authored an article entitled “Examining Feyerabend’s Farwell to Reason.”
Rachel Pilling ’00, Deer Isle, Maine (Marquis Scholar)
Rachel graduated with a bachelor of science degree, magna cum laude, in mechanical engineering. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the honorary society for men and women studying the liberal arts and sciences, and Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honorary society to mark those who have conferred honor upon their alma mater by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character as students in engineering. She is also a recipient of the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award and The College President’s Award.
Keith Griffin ’00, Oakton, Va.
Keith graduated with a bachelors of arts degree with honors in anthropology and sociology.
In last year’s edition of The McKelvy Papers, Keith co-authored an article with Bryce Murray ’00, Washington, N.J. (government & law and geology double major) entitled “A Return to Mysticism: Interplay of Moment and Essence Gives Moche Art its Enduring Power.”
Damon Eckert ’00, Carpinteria, Calif. (also the layout editor of The McKelvy Papers)
Damon graduated with a bachelor of science degree in computer science.
In last year’s edition of The McKelvy Papers, Damon authored an article entitled “Transcending Humanity: Living in a World of Intelligent Computers.”
Mark Comanducci ’01, Colts Neck, N.J. (economics and business major, Africana Studies Minor)
Mark says, “I wanted to live in McKelvy House because I knew I would be exposed to people with different views, from different background and who are studying different fields. I know that out interaction would lead to interesting conversation that I could learn a lot from. This happened while at the house.”
In last year’s edition of The McKelvy Papers, Mark authored an article entitled “Philosophical Questioning: A V