SHERMAN, TEXAS—Approximately 25 Austin College students beginning the spring term today are readjusting to life in the classroom after a January Term that included hands-on learning far beyond the four walls of campus buildings. During the January Term, students take only one course, so many take advantage of the opportunity to participate in travel courses. Other students complete in-depth explorations of academic special interest courses. Still others examine the world of work through internships and individual studies.
In January 2012, some 170 students traveled with international study courses exploring aspects of life, culture, history, and science in Costa Rica, Mexico, China, France, Scotland, Japan, England, Malta, Spain, and Guatemala. Another 50 also saw new horizons, but a little closer to home, exploring life in New York, Florida, and New Mexico.
The U.S. courses included a look at many of New York City's important buildings, parks, public monuments and art collections in “New York: City of Beauty and Grandeur;” hiking, camping, and canoeing while exploring first-hand a the Everglades of southern Florida and the subtropical ecosystem with incredible biodiversity in “Everglades Ecology and Natural History;” and at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, time for instruction in “Black and White Landscape Photography” and “Introduction to Silversmithing” as well as deepened connection to the inner self in “An Inner Journey: Still the Mind, Open Your Heart” and “Triassic Park”, which included fossil work with the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology.
Participants in the U.S. travel courses, along with the local high schools from which students graduated, their parents’ names, and the countries visited follow.
Austin, Texas
Nicholas "Nick" Johns, Liberal Arts and Science Academy High School, son of Ann and Hilary Johns, Everglades;
Beaumont, Texas
Caroline Her, Texas Academy of Leadership in Humanities, daughter of Wei-Hwa Her, Everglades;
Bedford, Texas
Rachael Cook, Lawrence D Bell High School, daughter of Charles and Janelle Cook, New York;
Rebecca Cook, Lawrence D Bell High School, daughter of Charles and Janelle Cook, New York;
Burleson, Texas
Lacey Durham, Burleson High School, daughter of James and Lori Durham, New York;
Carrollton, Texas
Samantha Gamble, Newman Smith High School, daughter of Beth and Jim Gamble, Intro Silversmith & SW Trad;
Liann Harris, Creekview High School, daughter of Randall and Lauri Harris, Everglades;
Coppell, Texas
Taliesin "Tal" Kinser, Coppell High School, son of Christiana and Nick Kinser, Everglades;
Dallas, Texas
Kalyn Rabuse, Ursuline Academy, daughter of Keith and Kathy Rabuse, Everglades;
Dripping Springs, Texas
Anna Sliz, Dripping Springs High School, of Tom and Mary Kay Sliz, Everglades;
Ennis, Texas
Kathryn "Katie" Allen, Ennis High School, daughter of James and Laurie Allen of Ennis and David and Teel Witt of Palmer, Texas, Everglades;
Houston, Texas
Alicia Neeley, School of the Woods, daughter of Marjorie M and Douglas B Sorrell (step-father) of Houston and Stanley and Molly Neeley (step mother) of Houston, Texas, An Inner Journey;
Humble, Texas
Megan Lavey, Atascocita High School, daughter of Jerry and Sue Lavey, Triassic Park;
Katy, Texas
Kelsey Jennings, Cinco Ranch High School, daughter of Michele and Michael Jennings, New York;
Palmer, Texas
Kathryn "Katie" Allen, Ennis High School, daughter of David and Teel Witt of Palmer, and James and Laurie Allen of Ennis, Texas, Everglades;
Savoy, Texas
Britton McIntyre, Home School Graduate, son of Ariel Burgess and William S. McIntyre, Bl & Wh Landscape Photo;
Sherman, Texas
Samantha Kannenberg, Howe High School, daughter of Wade and Rosita Kannenberg, Everglades;
Will Livingston, Sherman High School, son of Deborah Ryan, New York;
Harris Tooley, Home School Graduate, son of Hunt and Karen Tooley, New York;
Shiloh, Illinois
Allyssa Stone, O'Fallon Township High School, daughter of Randall and Caroline Stone, Intro Silversmith & SW Trad;
Southlake, Texas
Amanda Norman, Vanguard Preparatory High School, daughter of Ron and Nina Norman, Bl & Wh Landscape Photo;
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sophie Higgs, Edison Preparatory High School, daughter of Terri and Nigel Higgs, Everglades.
Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives.