Max Horlbeck, a junior double major in Biochemistry and Computer Science and a Rabi Scholar from New York City, has won the Goldwater Scholarship.  Max plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. program so that he can conduct biomedical research to develop gene-targeted therapies, treat patients, and teach at the university level.

Ilya Belopolski, a sophomore double major in Physics and Mathematics and also a Rabi Scholar from New Canaan Connecticut, was designated as having received honorable mention.  Ilya plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Astrophysics, researching gravitational-wave astrophysics and then intends to teach at the university level.

The Goldwater funds and supports outstanding undergraduate scholars in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering to pursue a Ph.D. in those fields.  The award is valued at $7500.  We are pleased that Max and Ilya continue the tradition of excellence of those Columbians who have won this award previously.

During summer 2010, faculty and students from nine prominent Asian and American universities will conduct a join research seminar on "Sustainability." The Seminar will begin “on line” during June and July, then continue for three intensive weeks of work “on site” in Tokyo.   The two parts of the Seminar form an integrated program that may not be taken separately.   The “on site” portion is scheduled from August 2 to August 20 on the campus of Waseda University.

Requirements: Students must be currently matriculated as undergraduates in one of the participating universities.  They may be enrolled in any discipline of study.   They need not have environmental studies as their concentration or major, but should have an interest in issues of “sustainability.”  They must have completed at least one year of university work and have a facility in the English language sufficient to participate in a research seminar.

Faculty: The course will be led by faculty from four of the participating universities:  Chou Loke Ming (marine biology), National University of Singapore; James Engell (English literature), Harvard University; Kevin Griffin (terrestrial biology), Columbia University, and Zhang Shiqiu (environmental economics), Peking University.  They will be assisted by several students who participated in a similar Seminar last summer.

Curriculum: The Seminar will be formed “online” in late spring and proceed in two integrated phases.  During June and July students will complete several modules of an interdisciplinary course on “biodiversity” prepared and led by the program’s faculty.  Each module will contain lectures, readings, videos, and related materials and require interactive participation with faculty and other students as well as the completion of various individual and joint assignments.   At the beginning of August the Seminar will gather in Tokyo for three weeks of intensive research together.  Part of the work will be conducted in small cohorts led by program faculty and focused on “case studies” of biodiversity.  Oral and written reports will be prepared, and a joint report by each cohort will conclude its work.   The Seminar will be “built” online as it proceeds.

Credits: Successful completion of the coursework will earn four semester hours of credit awarded by Waseda University, two for the online preparatory course and two for the onsite seminar. Transfer of credit will be made at the discretion of the student’s home university.

Program Evaluation: The seminar will be a “pilot program” of an ongoing effort by the participating universities to form a “Global Honors College” focused on issues of enduring and emerging global concern.   Faculty and students will be asked at the end of the course to evaluate the program and offer suggestions for its improvement.

Costs: Tuition costs will be borne in full by Waseda University.  Students will be accommodated free of charge during the program at one of Waseda University’s dormitories.   Thus students will be responsible only for the following expenses:

1. Round-trip airfare to and from Japan (Narita Airport)
2. Local transportation in their home country (round-trip between home and nearest international airport).
3. Local transportation in Japan between Narita Airport and Waseda University
4. Meals and other living expenses during the program.

To apply for the program, send a cover letter, CV and academic transcripts by Wednesday, April 14th to:

Natalie Unwin-Kuruneri at natalie@ei.columbia.edu

Matthew Franks, CC '09, has been selected to participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX), a year-long, federally-funded fellowship for study and work in Germany. Matthew was selected as one of 75 participants (from more than 630 applicants) for this unique fellowship program. Since 1984, approximately 1,500 Americans have been awarded this opportunity to gain cultural, theoretical, and practical work experience in Germany, and Matthew will be participating in the 27^th year of the CBYX program (2010-2011).

While in Germany on CBYX, Matthew will attend a two-month intensive German language course, study at a German university or professional school for four months, and complete a five-month internship with a German company in his career field. Participants are placed throughout Germany, and have the opportunity to learn about everyday German life from a variety of perspectives.

Conceived and supported by members of the United States Congress and the German Parliament [Bundestag], the CBYX program is financially supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State under the authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act, and by the Bundestag. Participants come from nearly every career field, and from all over the United States.

The program is designed primarily for young adults in business, technical, engineering, vocational, and agricultural fields, though candidates in all career fields are encouraged to apply. Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 18-24 and have clear career goals and experience in their professional fields. German language ability is not required, but is strongly recommended. Interested applicants can visit www.CBYX.info for more information.

CBYX is a reciprocal scholarship program. While American participants like Matthew will experience life in Germany, young German professionals will live here in the United States during the upcoming academic year. German participants study at US colleges in the fall and work at local businesses in the spring, all while living with an American host throughout the year. CBYX for Young Professionals is currently looking for interested host families, host companies, and host colleges who would like to take part in this exciting cultural exchange. Anyone interested in becoming involved in the program or hosting a German participant can contact CBYX via email at cbyx@cdsintl.org.

Columbia is pleased to announce a new summer study abroad fellowship for summer 2010 (dates June 25--July 15) with Columbia alumnus Greg Wyatt at the ancient site of Ephesos. The purpose of this summer workshop will be to introduce students to the reflective thought and artistic practices required to draw and paint ancient Greek sites in situ. It will also provide for study of these sites’ cultural, architectural, art historical, and sociological contexts firsthand. The on-site archaeology studies at Ephesos will also speak to the noble examples of classical architecture in innovative and interdisciplinary ways. This workshop will be led under the supervision of Greg Wyatt, Columbia ’71.

Greg Wyatt is a world-renowned sculptor whose works grace sites around the world including Arlington National Cemetery, Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the Elizabethan garden of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, and the Comune di Firenze in Italy.

This summer fellowship will allow, in its pilot year, up to 3 Columbia students to spend time pursuing their own artistic practices as well as academic coursework with Greg, first in Athens (at the Parthenon and other sites) and then at the Crisler Library in Ephesos. By traveling to and studying in Athens first, students will be given the hugely important opportunity to immerse themselves in visual studies in classical architecture in the best way possible. This unique opportunity will allow students’ watercolor and classical form practices to be the foundation for their daily studies and investigations that will follow at Celsus/Ephesus.

Days will be spent in a combination of lectures, field work, and daily artistic practice amidst the ruins at Ephesos. Students will be expected to have an interest in the visual arts, classics, archaeology, architecture, and history. Their time will be enriched through the short term coursework offered through the Crisler Library and their partner organization the Austrian Archaeological Institute. Topics to be addressed in the coursework include the cult and politics of the ancient city, the restoration and conservation of monuments, and the history and topography of Ephesos among many others. Students will be expected to keep a daily journal. They will also be expected to produce a final body of artistic work that will be displayed upon their return.

Benjamin Jealous '94, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, will address the Class of 2010 at Class Day, Monday, May 17, on South Lawn.

Jealous, a lifelong civil and human rights activist, has been a tireless and vocal advocate for his constituents since taking over the NAACP in 2008. In his brief tenure, he has seen what many consider historic victories for minorities in the United States, including the election of a black president, Barack Obama '83, and the recent passages of a sweeping healthcare reform bill and a bill to overhaul student loans.

In 2009, he received a John Jay Award for distinguished professional achievement.

Read more about Jealous in this March/April 2009 Columbia College Today profile.

Ethan Rouen '04J