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When Paul DeCamp ’10 (Arlington, Mass.) expressed interest in starting an American Civil Liberties Union group on campus, he had no idea it would lead to a project with Amanda Lalley ’07 (Brewerton, N.Y.) focusing on the detainment of terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The two students extensively researched the treatment of detainees held at the naval base, examining both civil liberties and human rights issues.
“Amanda researched the legal aspects of Guantanamo and the response from international organizations,” explains DeCamp. “I researched torture methods and public reaction to the camp, as well as details on the capture and interrogation of Khaled Sheikh Mohammed.”
They presented their work during a brown bag presentation last week.
Lalley became interested in the topic through the course Human Rights and Modern War, taught by Joshua Sanborn, associate professor of history.
“That class made me interested in this subject matter,” says Lalley, a double major in international affairs and Africana studies. “While we talked about various human rights abuses throughout history, I couldn’t believe that our nation is supposed to be a leader in supporting human rights when this abuse is occurring on our naval base and in our prisons.”
DeCamp believes Lafayette provides the perfect environment for research such as this.
“I think Lafayette is supportive of research like this and I look forward to doing more of it in the future,” says DeCamp. “Mike Benitez [director of Intercultural Development] is also extremely supportive is these types of endeavors.”
“Lafayette provides students with a variety of opportunities to become involved in organizations, and those organizations, in turn, can facilitate conferences where campus groups can contribute in an academic and meaningful way,” adds Lalley.
After graduation, Lalley plans on working with the Peace Corps in Sub Saharan Africa.
She completed EXCEL Scholars research with Shobana Shankar, assistant professor of history. She also is a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, cross country team, track and field team, Amnesty International, and Delta Delta Delta sorority. She is an Adopt-a-Class volunteer through the Landis Community Outreach Center.
Lalley is a past recipient of the James F. Bryant ’40 Excellence award, given to a junior who meets standards of excellence by demonstrating high academic achievement, lettering in at least one varsity sport, and showing noteworthy evidence of community service.
She also was selected as a finalist for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship competition. Committed to encouraging future “change agents” of America, the Truman Scholarship Foundation provides up to $30,000 in funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields.
DeCamp is a member of Jazz Combo, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, and Marquis Players pit orchestra.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Twenty-one students have been accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.