November 8, 2002: Volume 56, Number 9

College selects four Watson finalists

The college is forwarding four nominees for Watson Fellowships for final interviews with the executive director of the Watson Foundation starting on Nov. 13.

They are:

-- Jeff Fairfield, psychology, Arundel, Maine -- "Running in their Footsteps: A Study of Distance Running Communities"

Countries:  Finland, Kenya, New Zealand, Scotland, and Greece

--Brian Kern, biology, Voorheesville, N.Y. -- "Life from Death: The Marine Impacts of Submerged Wrecks"

Countries:  Bermuda, Bahamas, Micronesia, Scotland

-- Nori Lupfer, visual arts, West Lebanon, N.H. -- "Circuses and Stunts: Photography of Entertainment in Motion"

Countries:  Brazil, Switzerland, France, Slovenia, Italy, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Russia

-- Eric Meissner, biology and political science, Troy, N.Y. -- "The Relationship between Culture and 'Emergency' Medicine"

Countries: Honduras, Nicaragua, Netherlands, England

Each applicant is required to submit a three-page application form, a five-page project proposal, and a five page personal statement, plus supporting appendices, and two letters of recommendation.

Nineteen students submitted preliminary proposals to the campus Watson committee last June, and ten submitted final proposals in September (of whom seven were interviewed). The campus Watson Committee consisted of Profs. Ann Anderson, Joyce Madancy, Byron Nichols, Ed Pavlic and former Watson Fellow Eugene Kokot '70.

Fifty top liberal arts colleges in the country are invited each year to participate in the Watson Fellowship competition. Each college nominates a maximum of four students each, for a total of 200. The Fellowship program selects about 60 Watson Fellows each year. Any or all of Union's nominees could be winners. Two years ago, Union had two winners. Last year, Union had none.

Each Watson winner receives a $22,000 stipend for the year to cover expenses; an additional stipend is added if the winner is married and will be traveling with spouse. In addition, the Watson Foundation will pay any undergraduate loans due from a Watson fellow during the year of his/her fellowship.

Selections are announced in March.

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