University of Wyoming Student Inducted into Phi Beta Kappa

What do Eli Whitney, Peyton Manning, Walter Lippman, and Alexander Graham Bell have in common? These four, and many others, are members of Phi Beta Kappa, known as “The nation’s oldest and most widely known academic honor society.”

Among these outstanding individuals is recent inductee, Callie Berman, a student at the University of Wyoming. Callie is a senior, majoring in Geology, International Studies, Environmental and Natural Resources and minoring in Spanish.

Callie’s dedication and diverse range of study will help her immensely as she integrates various fields to pursue her interests and achieve her goals.

Callie (standing) conducting
 field research

“I am interested in the interaction of environmental and human systems and specifically having a background rooted in both a technical and social science to bring both perspectives to the complex challenges facing communities on a global scale,” says Callie. “In particular, I am interested in energy extraction and sustainability issues as well as environmental refugee issues.”

Callie was a Wyoming EPSCoR Fellow in the spring and summer of 2013, studying something that has always interested her: water.

“I worked with hydrologist Dr. Scott Miller and his Spatial Analysis for Watershed & Landscape Systems Group,” says Callie. “I investigated water fate and transport mechanisms in the Snowy Mountain Range outside of Laramie to not only understand how these dynamics work, but to also gain an insight into how this resource is managed on a local and state-wide scale.”

After Callie graduates in May 2015, she plans to further her education, both in and out of the classroom.

“After subduing my craving for wanderlust by hiking the Continental Divide Trail,” says Callie, “I would love to work for a private intelligence/security agency as a policy analyst for a few years, before returning to the academic world for a PhD.”

As a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Callie has a bright future ahead of her, and a leg up on her competition.

As a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Callie is in good company.  Five of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People are members of Phi Beta Kappa. 17 U.S. presidents and 38 U.S. Supreme Court Justices are counted among Phi Beta Kappa members.

According to the Phi Beta Kappa website, “The ideal Phi Beta Kappa must have demonstrated intellectual integrity, tolerance for other views, and a broad range of interests. Each year, about one college senior a hundred, nationwide, is invited to join Phi Beta Kappa. Acceptance into the society marks sustained excellence in leadership, academics and research over several years.”

By Robin Rasmussen

Photo courtesy of Callie Berman

SRAP Alumna Mariah Strike: Seeing the Big Picture

The girls from SRAP 2010. Mariah is in the middle on the right.

Sometimes seeing the big picture is easier said than done. In the middle of a lab project or sitting through a seemingly unnecessary class, it’s hard to believe that all the pieces will come together. But, as previous SRAP (Summer Research Apprentice Program) student Mariah Strike learned during her experience, everything does come together in the end. 

Mariah participated in SRAP in 2010 between her junior and senior years of high school. Originally from Pinedale, Wyoming, she is now a sophomore at UW majoring in International Studies and Environment and Natural Resources, with a minor in Spanish. This year she is not studying at UW however. She is spending the entire year abroad, studying in Spain. 

Despite the distance, we had the opportunity to talk over email. Our virtual interview not only showed Mariah’s passions for SRAP and her education, but showed how science can be combined with so many diverse interests.

What was your SRAP lab experience like? Did it help prepare you for college?
 My SRAP project had to do with soil respiration in sage brush. My professor was Dr. Kiona Ogle and my mentor was Colin Tucker. The best part of working in Dr. Ogle's lab was that I actually felt like I was accomplishing something. While I may have done a lot of lab work that didn't seem important at the time, by the time I was done with my project I felt like I had added to their research. I think this helped me to realize that in college it might not always seem like my classes are super important, but in the long run, they will contribute to my future. I think that SRAP prepared me for college in that I became accustomed to campus life as well as interacting with professors and graduate students.

What was your favorite part of SRAP?

My favorite part of SRAP was meeting so many incredible new people. During our 7 weeks in Laramie, I made so many great friends. A few of the friends I made also go to UW. In fact, one of my two closest friends from SRAP also goes to UW. We're still friends to this day. 

You have a unique combination of academic interests. What interested you in these fields?
I came into UW declared as an International Studies major. I had chosen this because I have always had a passion for traveling and learning about other cultures. Within my IS major, I have to choose a global track (culture, politics, economics, or environment.) I chose the environmental track which led me to my first ENR (Environment and Natural Resources) class. After taking this class, I knew that I also wanted to be an Environment and Natural Resources major as well. The majors actually fit together rather well, as does the Spanish minor. For my IS major, I have to take so many credits in a language anyway, so I decided I might as well get a minor. Besides, I love learning Spanish, and I always enjoy my Spanish classes. 

What has your college experience been like so far?
My college experience has been incredible so far. As of right now, balancing everything hasn't been too hard. However, I only had my freshman year at UW before I left for my year-long study abroad. Therefore, I'm not exactly sure how hard it will be to balance everything when I get back. However, I am confident that I will be able to do it. I had a great first year in Laramie, and now I am spending my entire sophomore year in Granada, Spain. To say the least, it is an opportunity of a lifetime. 

Mariah (second from the left) with some new SRAP friends

Mariah will return to UW in the fall to finish her degrees. Her experience abroad will undoubtedly add to the lessons she learned from SRAP and will continue to help her succeed in all aspects of her academics and life.  

To learn more about SRAP, please visit: http://www.uwyo.edu/epscor/fellowships-and-student-programs/srap/index.html. Applications for the Summer 2013 program are due March 15^th, 2013.






By Kali S. McCrackin
Photos courtesy of Mariah Strike