Cool Professors (Or Something Like That).

Straddling the line between super-nerdy and super-cool, Saint Mike's professors know how to engage students (and the world) both inside and outside the classroom. There's seldom a department without a professor who's traveled abroad for research, and/or engaged in the community to pursue local projects.

At the moment, I'm enrolled in an Economics of Education class with Professor Walsh (with whom I took Economics of Health Care in the Spring). Being a professor who really embodies the SMC nerdy-coolness, I was psyched when I discovered that he'd launched a YouTube channel. His videos discuss and digest popular economic topics, like the debt celing and climate change. Although he claims most of his channel views are from his proud mother, his videos are very informative and accessible--for the econ-buffs and who-the-h-is-Adam-Smith?s alike. Check out his most recent video on Immigration economics:



Enjoy the video, and thanks for reading!

Back to School and Outdoor Excursions.

Long time no see!

I believe my online absence requires an explanation: since being back at school, I've been sans-laptop due to an unfortunate encounter with my *former* computer, and my unforgiving floor of my parent's kitchen. We're currently looking into getting that situation handled, but until then I'm on that Durick Library-computer-lab-grind.

This semester I'm enrolled in four classes: Economics of Education (EC-333), Intro to Politics (PO-101), Race and Ethnic Relations (SO-221), and Anthropology of Refugees (AN-333). Do I have a solid academic plan? Not necessarily. Are my classes awesome? You betcha.

Fancy meal pictured here.

Also occupying my time this semester is my instructorship (new word!) for the Wilderness Program. Last weekend I had a double-weekend, where I got to lead a trip both Saturday and Sunday. This summer I got to lead a WOW with one of my great amigas in the program, but this past weekend felt like my first true experience guiding as an official instructor. I got so excited, that I made a super-fancy lunch the night before that I didn't actually end up eating til I got home (But it was still good!!!).

As far as the actual trips, I was co-leading (but mostly observing our paddling guy, Todd Wright) an Intro Whitewater Paddling excursion on the Lamoille on Saturday. The water was a little low, but we had a good, cohesive group and a fun time! Also, I was paddling a bright green boat, so how could that be bad? (Answer: it couldn't be bad).

Participants prepping their paddles for plunder. (Idk, alliteration??)

Then on Sunday, I got to co-lead a climbing trip down to Bolton Valley with fellow instructors Taylor and junior Lauren M. (the WP has two Lauren M's--weird, right?). It was rainy as can be all morning on Sunday, so we started by rappelling rather than climbing, but as the day went on the cliffs dried off and we were able to set a couple climbs. If I remember correctly for all you climbers out there, we set on Harvest Moon, Into the Slabs and Into the Pines.

Participant preparing to rappel.

Twas a successful weekend and the beginning to a successful semester! More adventures coming soon.

Thanks for reading!