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Trustee Scholar Greg Herchenroether ’06 (Pittsburgh, Pa.) has done plenty of writing and a bit of filmmaking throughout his college years. His senior honors thesis research combines these interests in an exploration of films that focus on writers.
“I am studying a core group of films that deal with the character of ‘the writer’ immersed in the often torturous writing process,” says Herchenroether, a double major in English and art. “Most of these films overlap in one way or another, whether it is in theme, character, technique, motif, or another characteristic. For me, they comprise a genre of their own, one that has yet to be recognized as such.”
Herchenroether’s research includes films such as Sunset Boulevard (1950), The Shining (1980), Misery (1990), Barton Fink (1991), Naked Lunch (1991), Wonder Boys (2000), Adaptation (2002),and Finding Neverland (2004).
“I have been studying the films closely, writing about them, reading articles on genre and form, researching other films, and parsing through the evolution of this particular tradition,” he says. “It’s a unique genre in that its films are not usually recognized as belonging to a generic tradition other than comedy, drama, horror, etc., but they clearly employ similar tactics and techniques in communicating the idea of the writer struggling with his writing and himself.”
Although he was somewhat unsure of how his research would progress when the project began, Herchenroether found a direction during the first week of classes.
“When I’m doing research or reading and my ideas are confirmed and support my theory even more, that’s exciting,” he says.
Herchenroether’s thesis adviser, Andrew Smith, assistant professor of English and chair of American studies, specializes in film study and guided a class project in which Herchenroether made a behind-the-scenes documentary of a College Theater production.
“He’s the ideal choice,” Herchenroether says. “He’s interested in my ideas, and he offers support but also has a way of probing my mind, which helps me orient myself.”
For Herchenroether, the combination of English and art has offered him the opportunity to work with and learn from professors who are “smart, creative, committed people.”
He studied art and architecture in Spain last May as an inaugural participant in the Arthur J. ’55 and Barbara S. Rothkopf Scholars program. He also performed summer EXCEL Scholars research at the Williams Visual Arts Building’s digital media lab under the guidance of Ed Kerns, director of the building and Eugene H. Clap II ’36 Professor of Art. He helped Kerns prepare an exhibit for the Banana Factory gallery in Bethlehem, Pa.
In Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, students conduct research with faculty while earning a stipend. The program has helped to make Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate each year share their work through articles in academic journals and/or conference presentations.
Herchenroether is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most respected honors organization in the country. He is a recipient of the Gilbert Prize, awarded annually to students who demonstrate superior English skills. He is managing editor of The Lafayette, the campus newspaper, and a student assistant in the English department. He also has assisted several professors with developing web sites and has participated in two College Theater productions. He is a graduate of Avonworth Junior/Senior High School.
Selected from among Lafayette’s top applicants, Trustee Scholars like Herchenroether have distinguished themselves through exceptional academic achievement in high school. They receive from Lafayette an annual minimum scholarship of $7,500 ($8,000 effective with the Class of 2009) or a grant in the full amount of their demonstrated need if the need is more than $7,500.
Honors theses are among several major programs that have made Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. The College sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year; 39 students were accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.