Of birds and biology at the Field Station

An interview with Chelsea Barattini ’11, by Dominique Blanc ’09

Q. How did you find out about bird watching at the field station?

A: I love anything biology-related that I can get my hands on, and when I heard about the ornithology class last semester, I was intrigued. Turns out, I loved the class, and Professor Mabey. I bird much more in my spare time now than I ever did before I took the class. The James H. Barrow Field Station has a great representation of some of Northeast Ohio’s most beautiful and interesting backyard birds (and some rarer specimens as well).

Q: What do you like best about it?
A: Being from Southeast Louisiana, I am loving the chance to get to see many species of birds I would never get a chance to see in my home town. I also like the close proximity of the Field Station to Hiram. It’s quick and easy for students who are interested in birding, biology, and just nature in general, to get a taste of real Ohio wildlife. There are several different habitats located on the property, so you never have to worry about getting bored with the same old thing every time you go hiking out there.

Q: What do you like best about working at the field station this summer? Least?

A: I love the hands-on field experience I’m getting by spending so much time at the Field Station observing birds. I also like the constant practice and challenge I get every day with bird songs and calls, from the easy ones to the more complex. It is great getting to work out in the woods, and we are developing great observational skills while collecting important information about bird ecology and behavior for the Field Station. If I had to pick something that bugged me a little, it would be the 5 a.m. mornings, but hey, we’re observing birds, and they wait for no man.

Q: How will this help your student career?

A: As a biology major with a special interest in environmental studies, I feel like I will benefit from what I learn this summer, perhaps to help me with future classes (anatomy, GIS programming, etc.), perhaps to get me thinking about my Apex presentation.

Q: How will this help your future?

A: I love animals of all kinds, and birds hold a particular fascination for me. I plan on going to vet school after Hiram, and I think my knowledge of wildlife (especially birds) may come in handy if I decide I’d like to specialize in rehabilitation cases.

James H. Barrow Field Station – a quick look at history

By Dominique Blanc ’09

There is a place special to Hiram, about three miles away from Campus. Some know about it, but it’s time that every student, alumni, and friend of Hiram College utilize and appreciate the James H. Barrow Field Station.

In September of 1965, James H. Barrow, professor of biology, procured for Hiram College from the Udall family a 15 -acre plot on Wheeler Road. It was located mere minutes from the center of campus, and it was Barrow’s dream to expand this plot and allow students, faculty, and staff to use a natural reservation in their exploration of biological pursuits.

Now, more than forty years later, the James H. Barrow Field Station spans almost 400 acres. Including laboratory space, duck houses, barns, an observation building, a pond that houses Zeus and Hera — the resident swans — and an emu enclosure (just to name a few things), the field station has grown beyond even Barrow’s dreams.

Before the field station was the field station, before Zeus and Hera ruled the pond, and even before the trails carved a north and south loop through the woods, Barrow and his students used a small plot of land called Matty’s Pond (near to where the new dorm is now located) to complete their biological research. Barrow believed that the students deserved a wider array of choices, and space, with which to work. Beginning by petitioning the College in the mid-’60s, Barrow worked seemingly endlessly to obtain the plots of land down Wheeler Road that were almost all up for auction or sale. Udall’s property was the first the College acquired. Come November of 1966, Barrow had successfully secured the Rand Farm, adjacent to the Udall property already within Hiram’s possession.

Originally tagged a “wildlife preserve” by the dean of the College in 1965, Barrow’s vision was met with some obstacles. There were letter volleys, student involvement, and a lot of pestering, according to the files on record at the Hiram College Archives. “Of course,” said Director of Development Paul Sago, in a 1968 letter. “Jim Barrow is an exciting person and he stimulates the spirit of real adventure and meaningful study in students.”

Barrow was hungry for land and opportunity for his students — a real stickler for study and conservation. He utilized this hunger in letters to prospective donors of land: “Education is emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to problems of relevance to modern man,” he wrote on 2 April 1970. “It is clear that the science division at Hiram will make an interdisciplinary approach to the studies of the environment of man… It is quite evident that students are changing from protest to action and are keenly interested in studies involving environmental studies.”

The passion he felt for the field station and its conservatory roots very obviously trickled down to his students, and, in the summer of 1967, a group of undergraduates spent the majority of their hiatus bettering the fledgling field station. Working diligently throughout the summer, the students built the field station from the ground up, making it more accessible for use by the Campus community at large.

In a Record-Courier article from 9 March 1967, one of the original field stationers commented on their work and their newfound space: “We’re very fortunate here at Hiram. Not only do we have the opportunity to conduct our own research in our own station, but we have the opportunity to make the station a part of ourselves. It’s our own thinking and our own work and our own help. We can see the results. The entire project is very rewarding.”

From Barrow’s vision and perseverance, decades ago, the Field Station as it exists today was born. It has been an on-going, evolving process, with some speed bumps along the way. And it’s not done. What we see today is yet the foundation of what Hiram science students, and the Campus community, will experience decades from now.

Hiram College featured in 2009 edition of The Princeton Review guide: “The Best 368 Colleges”

Hiram College is one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education, according to The Princeton Review. The New York-based education services company features the college in the just-published 2009 edition of its annual book, “The Best 368 Colleges” (Random House / Princeton Review, July 29, 2008, $21.95). Only about 15% of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges are in the book. It has two-page profiles of the schools and student survey-based ranking lists of top 20 colleges in more than 60 categories.

Says Robert Franek, Princeton Review’s V.P., Publishing, “We chose schools for this book primarily for their outstanding academics. We evaluated them based on institutional data we collect about the schools, feedback from students attending them, and our visits to schools over the years. We also consider the opinions of independent college counselors, students, and parents we hear from year-long. Finally, we work to have a wide representation of colleges in the book by region, size, selectivity and character.”

In its profile on Hiram College, The Princeton Review quotes extensively from Hiram students The Princeton Review surveyed for the book. Among their candid comments on the college: professors “push you to your full potential while guiding you carefully along the way.”

The ranking lists in “The Best 368 Colleges” are based on The Princeton Review’s survey of 120,000 students (about 325 per campus on average) attending the 368 colleges in the book. A college’s appearance on these lists is attributable to a high consensus among its surveyed students about the subject. The 80-question survey asked students to rate their schools on several topics and report on their campus experiences at them. Ranking lists report the top 20 schools in categories that range from best professors, administration, and campus food to lists based on student body political leanings, race/class relations, sports interests, and other aspects of campus life. The Princeton Review does not rank the colleges in the book 1 to 368 in any category, nor do the rankings reflect The Princeton Review’s opinion of the schools.

The Princeton Review (www.PrincetonReview.com) is a New York-based company known for its test preparation, education, and college admission services. It is not affiliated with Princeton University and it is not a magazine.

Clark ’94 named EVP, Panther Expedited Services, Inc.

Bacher named director of University of Akron Press

Thomas Bacher ’78 has been named as the new director of the University of Akron Press as of August 1, 2008.

He earned a master’s degree from Kent State, and a master’s in business administration from Purdue. He worked for the latter as director of its press since 1997, and has worked in publishing in Armonk, N.Y. and New York City.

Bacher, who is an advisory board member for Hiram’s Lindsay-Crane Center for Writing and Literature Center of Excellence, will oversee the acquisition of manuscripts, the production of books, and marketing at the University of Akron Press.

More for Malz ’87

Crain’s Cleveland Business reported on July 21, 2008, that James M. Malz ’87 was named Vice Chair of The Metrohealth Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio.

Food, fun, and frivolity at Hiram Christian Church

Join us for food, fun, and frivolity!

Hiram Community Picnic

Hiram Christian Church

Sunday, July 27

 

Hiram Christian Church welcomes all members of the campus community to join us on Sunday, July 27, for a community picnic and get-together. This event celebrates our community safety forces (fire, emergency medical services, and police) – it also serves as our welcome to all community members. Learn about services and organizations that meet in, or are supported in-part by, the church.

 

Schedule of events:

 

10 a.m.             Worship under the tent in front of the Village Hall.

 

11 a.m.             Water battles! Hiram Village Fire Department vs. surrounding community fire departments.

 

Noon                 Picnic lunch, all free! Enjoy hotdogs, hamburgers, and other picnic fare.

 

Noon – 4p.m.     Games, crafts and activities, information about community organizations, historic tours of the church building and windows, kids’ games, and more! Something for everyone.

 

3 p.m. – 4 p.m.  Community sing-along with local bluegrass legends, Northern Portage.

2008 Hiram College Football Preview

HIRAM, OHIO  –  The Hiram College football team has already begun the 2008 season in record fashion as the Terriers will enter preseason camp with the largest number of players in school history.  The 100-plus man roster will look to improve upon a 0-10 mark last fall, but it will not be easy as Hiram will have to face a tough schedule that includes home matchups against Wittenberg University, Case and Wabash (Ind.) College. 

“We’re really excited about the number of players we’ll have coming into camp this year,” said second-year Head Coach Bob Wolfe.  “Not only will we have the largest team in terms of numbers the school has ever seen, but we have also brought in some guys that could be some real ‘players’ at this level.”

Hiram returns 39 lettermen (20 offensive, 17 defensive and two specialist) this fall, including 15 starters (seven offensive, seven defensive and one specialist). 

“We have a good balance of returning players and newcomers,” said Wolfe.  “Although, we’ll still have to cope with our share of inexperience, our veterans will have the experience that we can rely on and help teach our new players.”

The offense will have the most new faces, but will have veteran leadership at the helm as two-time All-North Coast Athletic Conference quarterback Trevor Henderson (Rural Valley, Pa./West Shamokin) returns for his final season.  Last year, Henderson led the Terriers in both passing and rushing.  He accounted for 1,632 yards through the air, completing 168-of-304 passes (55.3 percent) with seven touchdowns and tied the school single-season record for fewest interceptions thrown with seven.  His 1,632 passing yards was a career-high and marked the second season in his career with over 1,500 yards.  Henderson also rushed for 169 yards on 93 carries and tallied two scores.

“Trevor will be a key role for our offense again this year,” stated Wolfe.  “But we’re hoping to be able to ease some of the burden on him that he’s been forced into in the past this year.”

Backing up Henderson will be sophomore Matt Wilson (Ashtabula/Edgewood) who returns to the offensive side of the ball after spending last season primarily with the defense in the secondary.  In 2007, he accounted for 41 tackles (19 solo and 22 assists) including one-and-a-half tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery.  As a backup QB, Wilson completed seven-of-15 passes for 145 yards and a TD.

The running back position will have the most inexperience as only two players from a year ago will return in 2008 in sophomore Luke Lewis (Fremont/St. Joseph) and senior Eddie Cloud (Bedford Heights/Warrensville Heights).  Lewis ended his “rookie” season third on the team in rushing with 106 yards on 45 carries and two TD.  Cloud carried the ball 35 times for 95 yards and a TD.

The wide receiver corps should see a lot of action this season with the spread offense.  Back to lead the wideouts will be sophomores Steve Hammond (Huber Heights/Kettering Fairmont), Glenn Campbell (Copley/Buchtel) and Kyle Milano (Medina/Brunswick).  Hammond led the team in both receptions (39), yards (478) and touchdowns (three) as a freshman.  He also rushed for 27 yards and two scores.  Campbell saw most of his playing time at wideout, but also saw some time as a backup quarterback.  As a receiver, he caught 38 passes for 383 yards and two TD.  At quarterback, he completed four-of-six passes for 22 yards.  Milano finished behind Hammond in reception yards at 471 and had two TD.  He led the team in yards per game with a 52.3 average.

The offensive line will be anchored this season by juniors Bryan Boggs (Willoughby/Eastlake North) and Tim Glodowski (Eastlake/North), both of who started eight games last season.  Also look for junior Matt Kozer (Erie, Pa./McDowell) and sophomore Chris Sabo (Munroe Falls/Archbishop Hoban) who started their share of games a year ago, to see increased roles this season.

“Our offense will have a lot of youth,” said Wolfe.  “But the majority of our returning players saw playing time last year as freshmen and sophomores and that should give us an advantage in not having too many first-year players on the field at one time.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Terriers will have the most experience, but will be without All-NCAC linebacker Tom Canitia who graduated this past spring. 

“Tom will be a big hole to fill this season, said Wolfe.  “He was our top defensive player last season and was one of the top linebackers in the league.”

Hiram will line up in a modified 4-4 defense in 2008 and will be led up front by two-time All-NCAC defensive lineman Humphrey Caswell (Hiram/Brush).  Caswell led all lineman in tackles last season with 47 (24 solo and 23 assists), including a team-tying high four tackles for a loss of 10 yards.  He also tallied two quarterback sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.  Joining Caswell will be juniors Dan Zalewski (Cleveland/St. Edward) and Tyrone Mixon (Clevealnd Heights).  Both had strong seasons in 2007 with Zalewski recording 34 tackles (18 solo and 16 assists), including three-and-a-half tackles for loss and two sacks, while Mixon added 21 takcles (nine solo and 12 assists).  Also look for juniors Joe Battaglia (Auburn/Kenston) and T.J. Brazofsky (Chardon/Notre Dame Cathedral Latin) to make an impact on the defensive line this fall.

At linebacker, look for junior Alex Ream (Parma Heights/Holy Name) to reassume his starting role.  As a sophomore, Ream was second in tackles with 66 (33 solo and 33 assists) and had two tackles for loss and a sack.  In addition, he tallied one fumble forced and fumble recovery.

Hiram’s strenghth of the defense this season will be the secondary with the return of juniors Jeff Papesh (Garfield Heights), Clarence Henry (Hiram/Allen University, Ga.) and sophomores Nick Haigh (Wadsworth/Cloverleaf), Brandon Jackson (Akron/Buchtel).  Papesh ended the 2007 season fourth in tackles with 48 (35 solo and 13 assists) and had a team-tying high two interceptions, including a 55-yard return for a TD against The College of Wooster.  Henry recorded 42 tackles (24 solo and 18 assists) including a fumble recovery.  Haigh was third on the team with 55 tackles (32 solo and 23 assists) to go along with two tackles for loss, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.  Jackson had a standout rookie season finishing tied for seventh in tackles at 41 (25 solo and 16 assists) with two interceptions, a fumble recovery and four pass breakups.

Returning to the defense and moving to the secondary is senior Derreck Haynes (Willowick/Eastlake North).  Last Fall, Haynes suffered a season-ending injury midway through the year.  Despite missing the second half of the season, he still had 33 tackles (12 solo and 21 assists) with three-and-a-half tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as a linebacker. 

Also returning to the team in 2008 will be sophomore Stefhen Offutt (Twinsburg) who did not play last season.  As a freshman, Offutt tallied 20 tackles (13 solo and seven assists), an interception and two fumble recoveries.

“Our entire defense should be pretty strong this season, especially our secondary,” said Wolfe.  “We were pretty strong defensively last year, but we had to rely on them too much resulting in players getting tired too quickly.  Hopefully we won’t have to do that as much this season, but they are all capable of coming up with critical stops when we need it.”

The Terrier special teams also lost a key role player in graduated senior punter Gary Sheplavy who left Hiram the owner of school, conference and NCAA Division III career records.

Despite the loss of Sheplavy, the Terriers will welcome back sophomore Derek Rieg (Brunswick) and junior Pat Majernik (North Lima/South Range).  Rieg saw significant playing time in 2007 as both a placekicker and punter.  He ended the season one-of-four in field goals and was a perfect 10-of-10 in extra points finishing second in team scoring with 13 points.  As a punter, he posted 706 total yards in 22 attempts for a 32.1 yards per punt average.  Rieg had five punts land inside the 20-yard line and recorded a season-long punt of 53 yards.  Majernik added depth as a placekicker with two field goal attempts on the season, but did not record a successful kick.  He should again see playing time as a backup in 2008 and could compete for a possible starting role.

“Special teams will be a crucial part of the game again this season,” said Wolfe.  “Derek did a nice job for us last season and Pat got some valuable playing experience as well that will give us two good options when needed.”

The bulk of the Hiram roster will be the combination of freshmen and transfers as over 70 players will be suiting up in a Terrier uniform for the first time this season.

“We’re very excited to have another huge incoming group of fine players to our program,” said Wolfe.  “It is one of many steps, but perhaps the most important, in order to turn around the program and achieve the results we’re looking for.”

Hiram will kickoff the 2008 season on Saturday, Sept. 6 when it travels to Washington, D.C. for a matchup against Gallaudet University.  The game is scheduled to begin at noon.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.

Hiram’s associate dean visits the Library Company

Rodney Hessinger, associate professor of history and associate dean of the College, begins a month-in-residence with the Library Company in Philadelphia on July 17. His research topic for the residency is “Sexual Scandal and Sectarian Conflict in the Second Great Awakening.” Hessinger will examine anti-Catholic expressions during the early nineteenth century.

The Library Company, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731, was the largest public library in America until the latter part of the 19th century, and contains printed materials relating to every aspect of American culture and society in that period. It holds over half a million rare books and graphics, including the nation’s second largest collection of pre-1801 American imprints and one of the largest collections of 18th century British books in America.

Hessinger will also present a paper at the Society for the Historians of the Early American Republic conference. The paper is titled, “Tarring and Feathering a Prophet: The Meaning of a Violent Assault in Ohio’s Western Reserve.” It is an analysis of why Mormon founder Joseph Smith was attacked in Hiram, Ohio in 1832.

Eckerson ’70 USAID mission director for Uganda

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has sworn in David Eckerson ’70 as its new mission director for Uganda. The program, which tops $300-million annually, provides assistance in the areas of conflict mitigation, democracy, governance, economic growth, agriculture, and environment; health, education and HIV/AIDS; and food aid and humanitarian assistance.

Prior to his current assignment, Eckerson has served USAID in many capacities, including as director of the Office of Human Resources and the Office of Strategic and Program Planning, deputy mission director in Ethiopia, and deputy director in the Office of Caribbean Affairs. Before his tenure with USAID, Eckerson worked as a public health and nutrition advisor with the TransCentury Corporation, USAID’s African Bureau, the Ministry of Planning in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso.

Eckerson earned his master’s in culture and values in religion from Christian Theological Seminary; he is married with three children.

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