When Andrew Krauss graduated from Union in June 2008, he left his alma mater for the South Pacific. After spending a year in the Cook Islands and French Polynesia pursuing a lifelong interest in the mechanics of boating, Krauss returns to the College to share his experiences working abroad as a Watson Fellow.
Krauss, who earned degrees in mechanical engineering and philosophy, clinched a prestigious Watson Fellowship in spring 2008. His talk, “Three Cool Things Having to Do with Outrigger Canoes (Maybe Four),” will be held Monday, Sept. 21, 12:50-1:50 p.m. in Social Sciences Room 016.
The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Program offers one-year grants to graduating college seniors “of unusual promise” for independent study outside the United States. Student efforts, in Krauss’s case researching the development of outrigger canoes and paddles, are funded with a $25,000 stipend.
Vessels like canoes have always interested Krauss, who participated in crew in high school and while at Union. On a term abroad in Fiji, he worked on boats with Pacific Fibreglass. He learned that despite vast technological improvements in modern sports, this ancient one has been untouched by rigorous scientific investigation. He used his Watson Fellowship to begin this investigation.