Hastings College students are participating in seven off-campus January term courses, traveling to Hawaii, Honduras, Yellowstone National Park, Ireland, Mexico, France and Ghana.

For the 42nd year, three-week courses are being held between fall and spring semesters during the month of January. Students take one, in-depth course, either on or off campus, and earn three hours of credit.

In addition to the seven off-campus courses, students may take one of more than 50 courses offered on campus.

Hawaii – Natural History

Students are studying the natural history and early history of three of the Hawaiian Islands, focusing on the biodiversity of tropical forests, grasslands, vegetation at higher altitudes, and intertidal pools. The group is visiting Volcanoes National Park to observe volcanoes, volcanic action, and the effects of volcanic activity and plant succession on lava.

Dr. Gilbert Adrian, professor emeritus of biology, and Dr. John Bohmfalk, professor of biology and chair of the chemistry department, are teaching the course.

Participants:
Miranda Anderson, senior, Arapahoe, Neb., John/Linda Anderson
Danielle Bernt, senior, Columbus, Neb., Michael/Sandie Bernt
Amber Brader, sophomore, Glenvil, Neb., Charles/Cindy Brader
Rebecca Burks, senior, North Platte, Neb., Geoffrey/Pamela Burks
Abigail Fitzgerald, senior, Omaha, Neb., John/Carol Fitzgerald
Travis Harms, senior, Dodge, Neb., Bernard/Robyn Harms
Jennifer Hartman, sophomore, Littleton, Colo., Neil/Melinda Hartman
Erin Haschke, senior, Cedar Rapids, Neb., Paul/Carol Haschke
Valerie Jensen, junior, Harrisburg, S.D., Derek/Mary Jensen
Cory Jones, senior, Doniphan, Neb., Douglas/Michelle Jones
Kyle Phillips, senior, Mullen, Neb., Lyle/Twila Phillips
Amanda Thunker, junior, Ewing, Neb., Jerome/Rebecca Thunker
Krista Fager, junior, Colorado Springs, Colo., Don/Ginger Fager
Brady Fickenscher, senior, Gothenburg, Neb., Thomas/Cindy Fickenscher
Jillian Heiden, senior, Cynthia Heiden, York, Neb./ Gregory Heiden, Benedict, Neb.
Halley Van Laningham, senior, Lincoln, Neb., Roger Van Laningham/Karen Berry
Lauren Walker, senior, Leawood, Kan., Steven/Anna Walker
Reed Ambrose, sophomore, Springfield, Neb., Tom/Lisa Ambrose
Kelli Borrell, sophomore, Hastings, Neb., Art/Evonne Borrell
Levi Fickenscher, sophomore, Gothenburg, Neb., Thomas/Cindy Fickenscher
(Ms.) Kelly Hoff, senior, Greeley, Colo., Joseph/Elaine Hoff
Amber Parker, senior, Plattsmouth, Neb., Jeffrey/Tammy Parker

Ireland – Tourism in Ireland: The Victorian Traveler

 Students are touring the sights in Ireland that Victorian travelers visited in the 19th century.  They are studying the complex history of 19th century Ireland including the famine, Catholic emancipation, and the nationalist revolt against England. Students will gain insight to the Victorian travelers’ experiences in Ireland and apply that information to modern day tourism. 

 Dr. Antje Anderson, associate professor of English, and Dr. Robert Babock, professor of history, are sponsoring the trip.

Participants:
Kelsey Foley, sophomore, Merna, Neb., Dorothy Adams/Harvey Foley
Andrea Pavlushik, freshman, Ponca, Neb., Kenneth/Teresa Pavlushik
Kelsi Potts, freshman, Cambridge, Neb., Richard/Carla Potts
Mark Shaw, freshman, Broken Bow, Neb., Yance/Mary Shaw
Katherine Goodenberger, senior, Duluth, Minn., James/Suzanne Goodenberger
Jennifer Ellsworth, senior, Bellwood, Neb., Robert/MaryKay Ellsworth
James Fonda, freshman, Omaha, Neb., Janice Fonda/John Fonda
James Goodenberger, freshman, Duluth, Minn., James/Suzanne Goodenberger
Rachel Heylmun, freshman, Plattsmouth, Neb., Bruce/Carol Heylmun
Katelyn Jerman, sophomore, Colorado Springs, Colo., Steven/Patricia Jerman
Carolyn Moore, junior, Valentine, Neb., Lee/Carolyn Petersen
Annie Peterson, junior, Kathleen Peterson, Hastings, Neb./Timothy Peterson, Papillion, Neb.
Aaron Rouse, senior, Trumbull, Neb., Larry/Vicki Rouse
Kristen Rubenthaler, freshman, Ft. Collins, Colo., David/Lynete Rubenthaler
Jason Huff, junior, Omaha, Neb., Harold/Pamela Huff
Lea Searl, sophomore, Omaha, Neb., John/Mary Searl
Brittany Simecka, senior, Ft. Collins, Colo., Donald/Patricia Simecka
Kenneth Smith, sophomore, Aurora, Colo., Wayne/Susan Smith

Yellowstone National Park: Development and Diversity
 Students are exploring the connections between ecology and economics in preserving the Yellowstone National Park ecosystem. The group is examining the monetary value nature provides with services while exploring America’s first national park. Economic officials and ecologists are speaking with students in an attempt to find a common ground on Yellowstone’s issues: bison, wolves and snowmobiles. Students will have the opportunity to cross country ski, snowmobile, and visit Geyser Basin.

 Leading the group is Dr. Amy Morris, associate professor of biology, and Dr. Amy Vander Laan Black, associate professor of economics.

Participants: 
Halah Bajaber, senior, Holdrege, Neb., Akram Bajaber/Jeanie Bajaber
Michael Carson, freshman, Ft. Collins, Colo., Frank/Diane Carson
Jeffrey Hartman, junior, Columbus, Neb., Douglas/Sharon Hartman
Adam Loftis, junior, Arlington, Neb., James/Tamera Loftis
Mark Melichar, senior, Crete, Neb., Byron/Jan Melichar
Chelsea Morgan, junior, McCook, Neb., David/Tanya Morgan
Zachary Schneider, junior, Black Forest, Colo., Kurt/Lucy Schneider
Bryce Spencer, junior, Mullen, Neb., Bernard/Lisa Spencer
Matthew VandenBoogaard, junior, Longmont, Colo., Lea Ann VandenBoogaard/William
 VandenBoogaard
Jessica Berns, senior, Blue Hill, Neb., Karl/Lorie Berns
John Logsdon, freshman, Evergreen, Colo., John/Christina Logsdon
Scott Peterson, sophomore, Broken Bow, Neb., Roland/Mary Jo Peterson

Honduras – Marine Biology

 Students are spending 10 days in Roatan, Honduras, studying the complexity of marine ecosystems through daily dives in the Caribbean coral reefs. They are learning about threats to the coral reef due to climate change, over fishing, introduced species and mainland development. Participants have the opportunity to qualify as open water SCUBA divers.

 Sponsors for the group are Dr. William Beachly, associate professor of biology, and Diane Beachly, adjunct instructor in biology.

Participants:
William Akins, freshman, Beth Bailey, Holliday, Texas/Michael Akins, Idalou, Texas
Matthew Beachly, senior, Hastings, Neb., William/Diane Beachly
Jeffrey Berggren, junior, Grand Island, Neb.
Mark Breckner, junior, Hastings, Neb., Robert/Sharon Breckner
Heather Finney, senior, Sidney, Neb., Jon/Patricia Finney
Daniel McWhirter, junior, Doniphan, Neb., Dan/Carol McWhirter
Matthew Moore, sophomore, Wichita Falls, Texas, Paul/Rebecca Moore
David Reeves, senior, Central City, Neb., Don Reeves/Mada Cortez
Matthew Skaggs, senior, Wood River, Neb., Randal/Peggy Skaggs
Emily Spearman, sophomore, Superior, Colo., Steven/Donna Spearman
Brandon Stark, senior, Aurora, Colo., Douglas/Brenda Stark
Tonia Todd, sophomore, South Sioux City, Neb., Wilma Todd/Darryl Todd

Ghana – Exploration of Cultural and Historical Developments

 Students are being introduced to the modernized and traditional lifestyles in Ghana and have the opportunity to identify with educational, cultural and social settings.

 Dr. Moses Dogbevia, assistant professor of chemistry, is teaching the course.

Participants:  
Catharine Allsup-Armstrong, sophomore, Eaton, Colo., Michael/Peggy Allsup-Armstrong
Heidi Hullinger, sophomore, Westminster, Colo., Timothy/Lisa Hullinger
Megan Shortridge, junior, Lincoln, Neb., Ricky/Kimberly Shortridge

Mexico – Borderlinks: Globalization and Service in Mexico

 Students are spending a week traveling in Mexico under the auspices of Borderlinks, a not-for-profit program that conducts travel seminars focusing on issues of Mexican border communities. Students will explore global issues in the stark reality of the border environment. The group will also stay in Nogales, Mexico, in Casa de La Misercordia, a Borderlinks facility, and work on service projects for one week.

 Teaching the course is Dr. Jean Heriot, assistant professor of sociology and religion and associate director of vocational discernment and service learning.

Participants:
(Ms.) Keshae Friesen, sophomore, Aurora, Neb., Galen/Kathleen Friesen 
Matthew Hilderbrand, senior,Gothenburg, Neb., Michael/Connie Hilderbrand
Marcia Keele, sophomore, Hastings, Neb., John/Wendy Keele
Sascha Krannich, Gehren, Germany
Tessa McDaniel, Boyden, Iowa, Martin/Anne McDaniel
(Ms.) Randi McMahon, senior, Blue Hill, Neb., Craig/Kathy McMahon
Danielle Miller, sophomore, Blair, Neb., Mark/Robin Miller
Joesaphine Newquist, senior, Aurora, Neb., Ernest/Kristine Newquist
Victor Short, sophomore, Salida, Colo., Daniel/LaDonna Short

France – Immersion in French Language and Culture

 Students will spend the first week of the interim course living with a host family in Pau, France, then spend a week in Paris, where they will stay at a youth hostel in the Latin Quarter. Participants will visit the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Versailles, Tuileries Gardens, the l’Arc de Triompe, and other famous sites.

 The course is taught by Dr. Constance Malloy, professor of English, and Elaine Lamski, adjunct instructor of foreign language.

Participants:  
Zachary Boyd, junior, Hastings, Neb., Robert/Lisa Boyd
Meghan Cochrane, junior, Worland, Wyo., Douglas/Alisa Cochrane
Angela Harrenstein, senior, Craig Harrenstein, Doniphan, Neb./Karen Overstreet, Gulf Shores, Ala.
Maggie Henton, senior, Clay Center, Kan., Thomas/Julie Henton
Katelyn Jackson, Hastings, Neb.
Shaun Milligan, sophomore, Burns, Wyo., Marlin Milligan/Valerie Martin
Lori Rothermund, sophomore, Bennington, Neb., John Rothermund/Julie Rothermund
(Ms.) Alex Rouse, sophomore, Trumbull, Neb., Larry/Vicki Rouse
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