The Magellan Circle
2004-2005 Magellan Scholars: (back row, l-r): Alisha Gibson, Autumn Johnson, Steven Eddy, Adam Gaub, (front row, l-r) Chandya Wijeweera, Dana Crudo, Evan Carter and Anokye Powell. (Not pictured: Alexandria Blute, Shaka Guthridge and Gemma Zanowski.) Recipients were honored at a luncheon with their patrons on Jan. 28, 2005. Photo by Lori Harwood..
In the last issue of SBS Developments, we announced the creation of the Magellan Circle, a society for donors who contribute $1,000 a year or more to the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The money raised in the Magellan Circle goes to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence, which supports such activities as student travel, visiting scholars, faculty research and excellence-in-teaching awards. An additional $500 sponsors a student scholarship. In this issue, we will spotlight our first group of Magellan Scholars, and review our major Magellan events this year.
Magellan Scholars
The Our 2004-2005 Magellan Scholars are exceptional students who have exhibited both financial need and academic excellence. While working hard to support themselves through college, not only are they excelling in their studies, they are involved in the community and showing an impressive vision for the future of themselves and the country. We thank the Magellan Patrons who have helped move these students one step closer to their ambitious and worthy goals.
Alexandria Blute, Journalism
Patron: Richard and Mary Rose Duffield
Alexandria, who is double majoring in journalism and French linguistics, hopes that these two areas of study will allow her to work as a volunteer for the Peace Corps in Africa after graduation. Her long-term academic goals are to obtain a master’s in journalism and a law degree. To pay for college, Alexandria has been working as a receptionist, writing news for the Arizona Daily Wildcat, and working as a nanny and house-sitter. Despite such a full load, Alexandria earned a 4.0 GPA on the 16 units she took last semester.
Evan Carter, Psychology
Patron: Earl and Louise Carroll
With a 4.0 GPA, Evan is a stellar student who has been accepted into the Honors College as well as Phi Theta Kappa, an international college honors society. He works for the UA Telephone Outreach Program and volunteers as a Japanese martial arts instructor to youth. Evan hopes to be a psychotherapist one day so that he can help others. The Magellan scholarship will help him fulfill his lifelong goal to study in Japan for a semester.
Dana Crudo, Journalism
Patron: Jacqueline Sharkey and William Wing
Dana loves to write and is pursuing a degree in journalism with a minor in creative writing. She is a public affairs intern for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; a Writing Center intern at the UA; and was previously a reporter at the Arizona Daily Wildcat. Dana does all this while maintaining a 3.7 GPA. She is president and founder of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-UA and is publicity chair of Alpha Phi Omega, a community service fraternity. Her first goal after college is to participate in Teach for America, where she would teach English in a low-income community.
Steven Eddy, Geography and Regional Development
Patron: Jerry and Sandra DeGrazia
Steven has already integrated his love of geography and environmental issues into his life. He had a life-changing study abroad experience in Norway and Northern Africa. This past summer he was involved in the Human Environment Regional Observation Project. He has a research position at the UA Office of Economic Development where he works on the Metropolitan Tucson Land Use Study. He also works with the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. Steven has a 3.4 GPA and is involved in several service organizations. His goal is to continue on to graduate school and explore the field of political ecology, which is the study of human-environment relationships.
Adam Gaub, Journalism
Patron: Donald and Luda Soldwedel
Adam works 25 hours a week as a radiology associate at Tucson Medical Center, while maintaining a 3.8 GPA (4.0 in his major) on 15 units a semester. He is also pursuing a double minor in political science and Spanish. Adam was a third- place award winner in the Mark Finney Golden Pen Competition. He is active in his church and in the College Republicans, and last summer Adam traveled with a collegiate basketball team to the Philippines on a missionary trip.
Alisha Gibson, History and Women’s Studies
Patron: Pam Grissom
Alisha is passionate about learning and has earned a 4.0 GPA in both of her majors. The Magellan scholarship will allow Alisha to supplement her working income. She works about 13 hours a week with the University of Arizona “Sarah” Water Project. As a disabled student, Alisha cannot work more hours without losing her Medicaid benefits. She is a volunteer at Skrappy’s Youth Venue, which is a non-profit organization that provides a positive and safe atmosphere for young people. Alisha hopes one day to be teacher so that she can “convey all the knowledge and passion that I have for history and women’s studies to students.”
Shaka Guthridge, Undecided
Patron: Peter and Patricia Likins
Shaka, who, among other honors, was a member of the National Honor Society in high school, has a 3.7 GPA. Shaka is trying to pay for college on her own, and she works for the UA in the Telephone Outreach unit, where she specifically raised money for the Magellan Circle!
Shaka’s goal is to graduate with a degree in psychology and a minor in business, and to find a career that will allow her to make a difference in the lives of others. According to Diana Wilson, major exploration coordinator from University School, Shaka “takes her classes on with intensity and devotion, no matter what the subject.”
Autumn Johnson, Women’s Studies
Patron: Mary Goodman
To pay for her education, Autumn holds two jobs: She works as a student worker at the University of Arizona library and is a server at a local restaurant. Yet she still maintains a 3.9 GPA and is in the Honors College. She also volunteers as an outreach volunteer for the Saguaro Girl Scout Council Outreach Program. She would like to study abroad for one summer semester in Canada and to go on to graduate school in journalism. According to Autumn, “This scholarship would make those dreams a little clearer and easier to obtain.”
Rebecca Kullman, Near Eastern Studies
Patron: Michael Bonine
Rebecca wants to work in international conflict resolution, focusing on the Middle East. She is already well on her way. Last summer, she participated in a student symposium on international conflict resolution in Cyprus. The Magellan scholarship will help support Rebecca’s study abroad program in Egypt next year, which includes an intensive Arabic program. She is a volunteer tutor for the “Lost Boys” program; founding member of The Junto, a discussion group that focuses on ethical, philosophical and public policy; and a member of the Blue Chip Leadership Program. She also works as a residence hall desk assistant. An exceptional student with a 4.0 GPA, Rebecca is in the Honors College and has won numerous honors and awards.
Anokye Powell, Political Science and Psychology
Patron: Michael Chihak
Educated in Paris, Anokye speaks English, French and German. He became involved in politics while in high school, representing 25 high schools at the Regional Academic Council. His decision to major in political science and psychology reflects his interest in the evolution and functioning of human societies. Anokye is currently an intern for the United Nations/UNICEF Children Outreach Program. He hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in international relations.
Chandya Wijeweera, Anthropology and Psychology
Patron: Charles and Patricia Pettis
Born in Sri Lanka, Chandya grew up appreciating and learning about many diverse cultures. The summer after high school, she participated in the American Field Service international community service exchange program. She’s a member of the Alpha Phi Omega Community Service Fraternity and volunteers with Divorce Recovery. Chandya hopes to be a graduate student in public health. The Magellan scholarship will help Chandya participate in Amigos de las Americas, a volunteer program in Latin America in the areas of public health and community development. Chandya has a 3.7 GPA, is a member of numerous honor societies, and holds a job as a retail sales associate.
Gemma Zanowski, Journalism
Patron: Donald and Marilyn Braun
A National Honor Society Member in high school, Gemma currently has a 4.0 GPA and is in the Honors College. She is a tutor with the UA Writing Center. Gemma learned the value of hard work and a good education from her father, a first generation immigrant. She has a remarkable passion for learning. According to Professor Jeannine Relly, who taught Gemma in a journalism course, “It has been my honor to work with top-notch students in my career, and Ms. Zanowski is among the brightest of them.”
Magellan Scholars Luncheon The first group of Magellan scholars met their patrons at the first annual scholars’ luncheon on Jan. 28, 2005.
Jacqueline Sharkey, head of journalism, spoke at the luncheon, and students from the International Journalism Program talked about their incredible trip to Chile last winter researching the effect of NAFTA on the Chilean economy. The Magellan Circle will be instrumental in sending the next class of students to Panama in the spring of 2005.
The luncheon was a great way to end an exciting year of getting the Magellan Circle off the ground.
Here is a recap of some of the other major events of the year!
March Madness
On March 9, 2004, SBS had the inaugural event for the Magellan Circle. The dinner, held at the historic Arizona Inn, was overflowing with distinguished guests, including President Peter Likins and Provost George Davis. Attendees were treated to music, a delicious dinner and the witty comments of Magellan chair and emcee Michael Chihak.
The formal presentations were both educational and entertaining: History Professor Helen Nader discussed “The Magellan Story”; Anthropology Professor Barbara Mills talked about the archaeological field school; and Anthropology Professor Steve Kuhn detailed recent archaeological excavations in Turkey and his research on the earliest human occupation of that region.
The Tucson Room at the Arizona Inn was at full capacity. According to Sally Drachman, “It felt like all of Tucson was at this event!” The evening had a palpable energy and was a tremendous kick-off for the Circle.
Hopi Heritage Tour In June 2004
The Magellan Circle had its inaugural trip for members. “The Hopi Heritage Tour” was
led by Emory Sekaquaptewa, a professor in the Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology and a Hopi elder. The group explored the streets of Old Oraibi, the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the United States, enjoyed a traditional Hopi meal, and completed their tour by witnessing the summer solstice Kachina Dance. This tour was such a success that future excursions to Hopi are on the horizon.
Magellan Goes To Phoenix This fall, we launched the Magellan Circle in Phoenix. The event, held at the historic University Club, allowed us to reach out to our supporters in the Phoenix area. Professor Lee Ryan, a psychology professor and the director of the Cognition and Neuroimaging Laboratories, spoke about aging and the brain, especially in relation to Alzheimer’s. She talked about her studies comparing the brains of normally- functioning individuals with studies of people with serious brain injury, using magnetic resonance imaging and functional MRI. It was exciting to hear about the cutting-edge research being done in our own college that will allow doctors to predict and treat Alzheimer’s earlier.
On the Horizon
This year’s annual membership dinner will be held at the Arizona Inn on March 22, 2005, and will feature “Magellans of the Southwest.” It promises to be a lively evening with such entertaining speakers from the Southwest Center as James “Big Jim” Griffith, renowned Southwest folklorist, and Tom Sheridan, research anthropologist.
In keeping with our Southwest theme, how does springtime in colorful Oaxaca, Mexico sound? On April 11-16, the second Magellan Circle excursion will be led by John Paul Jones, III, head of the Department of Geography and Regional Development, and Bill Beezley, interim director of the Center for Latin American Studies, both of whom have studied this vibrant region extensively. Dean Ed Donnerstein will also be in attendance. We will explore Zapotec ruins, visit artisan villages and even take a cooking class!
And there are more trips to come. We will spotlight the Sonoran countryside with faculty from the Southwest Center; a history of Tucson with folklorist “Big Jim” Griffith; and Spain with History Professor Helen Nader.
Magellan members receive priority booking for all these tours. Join the Circle today and start enjoying the benefits of membership, while committing your support to SBS. For more information, contact Gail Godbey at 520-626-1918 or godbey@mail.sbs.arizona.edu.
Discover the parallels between SBS and The Magellan Story.
For more information about the Magellan Circle and how you can join, contact the development office at 520-626-3445.
For more information, contact Lori Harwood at 520-626-3846 • Webmaster