Meet some of our recent Maple Scholars alumni
What is Maple Scholars?
Goshen College was a pioneer in undergraduate research with the launch of the Maple Scholars program in 1998. This eight-week summer program allows students from all academic disciplines to work closely with professors on research projects. Unlike larger universities where undergraduates often collaborate only with graduate students, Maple Scholars engage directly with faculty mentors. They present their research weekly and conclude the program with a public presentation of their findings. A similar program called Hickory Scholars offers summer research opportunities at the college’s Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center.
Meet some of our recent Maple Scholars summer research program alumni
Vince Kurtz ’17
Pasadena, California
Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate, Caltech
College majors: Physics, Music
Further degree: PhD, University of Notre Dame
Topic of Maple Scholars project and advising mentor professor: Groundwater and climate modeling; Paul Meyer Reimer ’83, professor of physics
How did your Maple Scholars experience at Goshen College inform your vocational calling or life generally?
“Maple Scholars was one of the first times I was exposed to serious academic research. It wasn’t the only reason I went on to grad school, but it certainly helped solidify my interest.”
What is one thing you learned during your Maple Scholars experience that you have carried with you?
“Beyond the fun technical aspects of the project I was working on, Maple Scholars showed me how valuable it can be to communicate and engage with people outside my particular sub-field.”
Ronit Goswami ’18
Chicago
Youth Coach, Kidokinetics
College majors: Exercise Science, Sport Management
Further degree: MS in Exercise Science, Loyola University Chicago
Topic of Maple Scholars project and advising mentor professor: Addressing the mental health needs of law enforcement officers; Jessica Lala ’98, former assistant professor of social work
How did your Maple Scholars experience at Goshen College inform your vocational calling or life generally?
“Maple Scholars truly opened my eyes to the world of research. Working with Jessica Lala allowed me to understand the literature review process of research as I pursued my graduate degree at Loyola University Chicago.”
What is one thing you learned during your Maple Scholars experience that you have carried with you?
“I learned that research takes time and time is of the essence. One must trust the process with research and understand that it is a journey.”
Jenae Longenecker ’18
Pasadena, California
Law Clerk, United States Courts
College major: History
Further degree: J.D., Notre Dame Law School
Topic of Maple Scholars projects and advising mentor professors: Reentry in Elkhart County with Carolyn Schrock-Shenk, former associate professor of peace, justice and conflict studies (2016); Painted Glass Press with Ann Hostetler, professor emerita of English (2017)
How did your Maple Scholars experience at Goshen College inform your vocational calling or life generally?
“Studying reentry from incarceration led me to post-grad Americorps service with students working to earn college degrees behind bars. From there, I went to law school, carrying with me a commitment to thinking critically about carceral systems.”
What is one thing you learned during your Maple Scholars experience that you have carried with you?
“Studying reentry with Carolyn taught me that restorative approaches to crime and justice take a village. Employers, pastors, lawyers, police officers, social workers and educators — we all have a role to play.”
Ebtihal M. Abdelaziz ’22
Los Angeles
Graduate student
College majors: Mathematics and Physics
Further degree (in progress): Physics PhD, University of Southern California
Topic of Maple Scholars projects and advising mentor professor: Game Theory, David Housman, professor of mathematics
How did your Maple Scholars experience at Goshen College inform your vocational calling or life generally?
“I enjoyed my research experience so much which affirmed my thoughts about becoming a researcher.Also my maple scholars experience allowed me to practice explaining difficult conceptual topics to a broad audience which is extremely valuable.”
What is one thing you learned during your Maple Scholars experience that you have carried with you?
“I loved working with David! I learned cool game theory concepts and perseverance in the face of research uncertainties. Whenever I get stuck working on my current research project, I remember David’s advice to go on a walk, relax and come back later.”
Jace Longenecker ’20
Chicago
Digital Media Specialist, American Bar Foundation
College major: History
Further degree (in progress): J.D., University of Michigan
Topic of Maple Scholars projects and advising mentor professor: Religious and Ethnic History of Elkhart County, Philipp Gollner, professor of history
How did your Maple Scholars experience at Goshen College inform your vocational calling or life generally?
“Maple Scholars allowed me to conduct ethnographic research in an independent, supportive environment. This experience has helped me to more fully understand and contextualize the socio-legal research I engage with at the American Bar Foundation.”
What is one thing you learned during your Maple Scholars experience that you have carried with you?
“I learned from my history classes generally, and from the Maple Scholars program specifically, that ‘history’ unfolds in the church foyer, the Walmart parking lot and the factory breakroom, as much as it does in the Oval Office.”