Posted on Apr 29, 2010

After spending the last 11 months in far off corners of the world, doing good for the people there, Union’s eight Minerva Fellows are coming home.

Together, the 2009 graduates will spend the month of May giving presentations and hosting discussions about their individual experiences in the countries of Uganda, Cambodia, South Africa, Uruguay and China. Twice a week, one of the fellows will speak during Professor Hal Fried’s class. The schedule is below.

“Union College is stronger academically and morally because of Minerva Fellows. It is important for the College to take a position on relieving suffering around the world,” Fried said. “It is one small way that we contribute to making the world a better place.”

The Fellows’ Projects:

Andrew Scaplen, Uruguay. He worked with One Laptop Per Child, volunteered with teenage girls in an orphanage, and delved deeper into Latin American politics, developmental psychology and social issues

Lyndsay Wehrum, Siem Reap, Cambodia. She worked with The Global Child, helping children and establishing a café/boutique

Nate Saslow, Siem Reap, Cambodia. He worked with The Global Child and was immersed in Cambodian politics, history, health care and education

Jennifer Mao-Jones, Beijing, China. She executed a project called “Revitalizing the Old Summer Palace,” developing branding, marketing, packaging and sustainable revenue streams for the historic site

Mike Eisenman, Cape Town, South Africa. He teamed up with Community Action Towards a Safer Environment to help communities and young men struggling with drug use and crime

Monica Rowett and Tom Perry, Uganda. They worked with Engeye in a small African village, focusing on education, health, environment, music and art

Ned Lincoln, Tramoung Chrum, Cambodia. He opened a motor bike repair shop and helped teach local residents to successfully operate the business

Class Schedule

* Class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10:40 a.m. in Social Sciences Room 016

Date

Country

Presenter

May 4

Uganda

Tom Perry

May 6

Uganda and Cambodia

Monica Rowett/Nate Saslow

May 11

South Africa

Michael Eisenman

May 13

Cambodia

Lyndsay Wehrum

May 18

Uruguay

Andrew Scaplen

May 20

China

Jen Mao-Jones

May 25

Cambodia

Ned Lincoln