Introduction: Connor McGowan

Hi everyone, my name is Connor McGowan and I am a Sociology major. I would have really enjoyed majoring in environmental studies but chose my major too late. Despite this fact my passion is the environment and more specifically conserving it and also sustainable ag.This semester I am also working at the Stratford Ecological center which is located here in Delaware. I will be interning as an Environmental education intern which will involve the teaching of the importance of the environment and the conservation of it to children. I will be graduating in the winter and I hope to find work in environmental conservation following my graduation date.

Introduction: Christian Eakins

Hey all, I’m a senior physics major from Bridgewater, NJ. One of the great things about growing up in Bridgewater was how confused the town is in its identity. True enough, Bridgewater is considered suburban sprawl but due to the affluence in the area there is quite a bit of protected open space. It’s just a quick trip from the Doris Duke Estate, one of the world’s largest publicly displayed gardens, to the Bridgewater Promenade, a typical New Jersey shopping center – built on top of a former Superfund site. This dichotomy helped me learn to appreciate nature as well as foster a desire to help protect it. This desire will (hopefully) take me to New Zealand to study alternative types of energy.

About Me: Veronica Malencia

What Im looking forward to most this year

Hi everyone, I am a junior and an environmental studies and geography major. I grew up in the Pittsburgh area, but would like to move out west after graduation and work in the conservation field (or really any job that allows me to be outside as much as possible). Eventually I would like to go to grad school for ecology or environmental science. Right now though I spend most of my time rock climbing, playing frisbee, and traveling. I love adventures, new places and new challenges. I am a big advocate for the preservation of the wild places left on our planet. I think our environment is a force greater than man and its unrealistic to try and conquer it or place ourselves separate from it. I am also a strong believer that if people can come to appreciate and value nature they will realize the importance of protecting it.

Introduction: Matthew Jordan

Hello Everyone!

I am a junior from Washington, D.C. majoring in environmental studies and international studies. This  is my second year living in the Tree House, a SLU promoting awareness in the community on environmental and social justice issues. I am very interested in local and sustainable agriculture, and this summer I had the opportunity to work on a small organic farm in Maine. I would love to see more locally grown food in the cafeterias of Ohio Wesleyan. Everyone has to eat, so I think consuming more food from the state and the region is one of the most fundamental steps that can be made to lower one’s carbon footprint.

I am also fascinated by urban planning and the way we design the communities in which we live. I grew up in a walkable/mixed use neighborhood, and this has shaped my desire to see American cities place more emphasis on people rather than the rapid movement of  many cars. My interests include biking, reading, and porch-sitting. I am hoping to study abroad next semester in Geneva, Switzerland.

Hello my name is Becca Kelly…

…and I am a senior Zoology major, environmental Science and History minor here at Ohio Wesleyan. My life has been rooted in Dayton, Ohio, were my mother, father , five siblings and my niece and nephew all reside.  I have known that I wanted to study Zoology since the second grade. My mom still has the paper that I wrote describing that when I grew up I wanted to work at a zoo with all the baby animals. Although I no longer want to work with baby animals, I have turned my love of science, the environment, and teaching, into a potential career path in environmental or science education. One of my favorite ways enjoy the outdoors is in a saddle on the back of a horse. I love to take horses trial riding but also love the competition of the show ring. When I am not riding you can find me watching movies, goofing off with my friends, or chasing after my niece and nephew!

Bridget K. Fahey – meeting me

Greetings!  I am a junior double majoring in Environmental Studies and Politics and Government.  My passion is environmental advocacy with a focus on climate change issues.  I would ultimately like to see all people in the United States reflexively act in environmentally friendly ways.  I grew up in Delaware, Ohio – however I currently live in Denver, Colorado with my parents.  I have three older brothers, two of which are recent college graduates and the third is finishing his last year at OWU. 

Eventually, my goal is to attend graduate school pursuing a joint law degree (JD) and PhD in environmental policy-making.  I am happiest when I am campaigning for ideas, movements, or people I believe in.   In addition to my political involvement with organizations like Greenpeace, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Sierra Club, and 350.org, I enjoy experiencing music, creating beaded jewelry, and exploring the art of Italian cooking.

About Me: Selby Majewski

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Hello! I am a senior Pre-Professional Zoology major and Environmental Studies minor.  I grew up in the suburb of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where I learned the value of community, political involvement, and public schools.  My major career interests are in environmental education and working with animals; I particularly enjoy learning about birds and the great apes.  This summer I lived in Delaware and worked at the Columbus Zoo summer camps.  I enjoy backpacking and led a Spring Break Wilderness Trek last year to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Tennessee.  I’ve also backpacked in New Hampshire, Utah, Ohio and Florida.  I enjoy cooking, reading, and traveling; my favorite trip so far has been to the Ecuadorian Rainforest and the Galapagos Islands with the Island Biology class.

Introduction to Evan Jerfsten

Hey, I’m Evan and I’m a senior Geography major here at Ohio Wesleyan. I was born in Manhattan and moved to Northern New Jersey a year afterward. I went to high school in Glen Rock, NJ. During this time my parents found OWU via an online search engine designed particularly for finding colleges. Figuring they know what’s best for me, this was my college of choice, and here I am now. In March ‘09 we moved out of Glen Rock to a 12th floor apartment in Union City, right across the Hudson River from New York. Since this past winter my family has also built a house in Rehoboth, DE and my mom has retired to it. I’m effectively living in 3 US states for the coming year or so, which can be a bit hectic. I’m half Swedish and have been to Sweden about every year to visit family. Like almost any other guy, I like video games and just generally hanging out having an easy-going time. I like to travel and I want to go backpacking through Europe.

About Me: John Romano

My name is John Romano, and I’m a junior double majoring in Environmental Studies and Geography.  I play football and hockey here at OWU and wear the #14 for both teams.  I was born in Los Angeles California and lived there for six years until I moved to San Antonio, Texas, a few months after the Northridge earthquake in 1994.  I attended a prep school called Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio for 8 years, until I moved to Hightstown, New Jersey in 2002.  There I attended a prep school called The Peddie School, where I played football, hockey and lacrosse and made the 2005 US inline hockey junior national team shortly afterwards.  I graduated from Peddie and came to OWU in 2006 and thats where I am today.

About me: Ben Connelly

Hello, my name is Ben Connelly. I am a senior from Mendham, New Jersey. My favorite colors are chartreuse, pink, and gray. If I could characterize my life in with one song, it would have to be Michal Jackson’s “Dangerous”. My favorite sports are skiing, hockey, kayaking, and, though it goes widely and unjustly unrecognized as a sport, videogaming. My thumbs are actually insured for videogaming. I also enjoy hiking and camping. I hate children and find sunlight to be quite unbearable. Thats basically it.