Spotlight on Seniors
On Dec. 13, 2003 Plattsburgh State sent forth another class of graduates who are off
to start the next step in their lives. Some will continue their education at institutions
across the country while others will enter the workforce. We're proud of each and
every one of them.The following articles highlight a few students from the Plattsburgh State Class of
2003.
Brett Jutras
A senior
geology
major from Newington, Ct., Brett Jutras was attracted to Plattsburgh State by its
vicinity to the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain."I like the area. What drew me here was the location. I like the feel of the area
and have made great friends," said Jutras. "And, the professors, especially in geology,
have been enormously helpful."While a student, Jutras has had the opportunity to work with other students and professors
on a National Science Foundation funded project studying the watersheds in the Adirondacks."The best part of the project for me was to see what my role is as a geologists on
a project that involves a multidiscipline group working together. I have found that
I work on the basis, the fundamental level, and others are building their work on
top of that," said Jutras, who hopes to go to graduate school next fall."First I'll get my master's then maybe on to get a Ph.D. I'm keeping my options open,
which is my whole philosophy in life," said Jutras, who is a "non-traditional" student
- an adult student who will graduating at the age of 28."I'm a person who has a lot of questions and, at Plattsburgh State, I always got answers
from the professors. You don't always get that," Jutras said. "I've always had interesting
projects, especially working on long term papers for (Associate Professor) Mary Roden-Tice.
I really learned the most out of those and the whole research aspect."
Kristina Parker
Kristina Parker, from West Chazy, N.Y., is a
history
major with a museum management minor."I've been interested in history since about 12," said Parker, who was this year's
winner of the Emily McMasters Prize for History Writing presented by the Clinton County
Historical Association.Parker's paper was about William H. Miner and the development of the Altona Flat Rock
region. She has an interesting family perspective - her great grandfather was the
very first caretaker of Flat Rock and her uncle was the last caretaker before the
position was terminated."I wrote the piece for my junior seminar paper for
Dr. Stewart Voss," said Parker. "Wayne Miller, who used to be in charge of Special Collections, advised
me to enter. I was caught completely off-guard by winning."
Dr. James Lindgren, professor of history, said that the department is very proud of Parker."Since her first days at Plattsburgh State, she's not only committed to the study
of history, but determined to apply her learning to the many historical sites and
museums in the area," said Lindgren.Parker has applied to the Cooperstown Graduate Program to further prepare herself
for a career in museum studies."Eventually, I would like to be a curator," said Parker, who has interned at several
places including the Alice T. Miner Museum, the Kent-DeLord House and is currently
at the Chazy Town Historian's Office.
Jasmin Chambers
Jasmin Chambers is a
Spanish major with a French minor
from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.Following graduation, Chambers is looking forward to graduate school, possibly attending
the University of Georgia where she has been offered a graduate teaching assistantship.Her long-range goals include going back to her country to teach either French or Spanish."There is a need for teachers in those areas in my country. I'm looking forward to
teaching these languages - it will be a joy to share my experiences with the students,"
said Chambers, who said she has enjoyed her time at Plattsburgh State. "I like it
very much, except the winter. I could never say I'm cold when I go back home."Chambers had the opportunity to attend the
Universidad de Monterrey in Mexico as part of the Study Abroad Program
at Plattsburgh State."I traveled throughout Mexico," said Chambers. "It was just an awesome experience.
I took six courses, five in Spanish and one American literature course."Chambers said that she has gotten much encouragement from the faculty at Plattsburgh."(Assistant)
Professor Fernando Iturburu
really helped me - he has always encouraged me. And my advisor, (Assistant Professor)
Jean Ouedraogo
, has been very helpful. He's very nice and always sends me emails about graduate
schools."
Brandy Brown
Brandy Brown, an
English literature
major and
French
minor senior from Plattsburgh, has her sights on teaching secondary education in the
Plattsburgh area."I love the area and don't want to move too far away," said Brown, a presidential
scholar. "I always knew I wanted to come to Plattsburgh State. I didn't even apply
anywhere else, because I wanted to go here."Brown is a member of several honor societies including Phi Eta Sigma, Sigma Tau Delta,
Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Delta Kappa.As a presidential scholar, Brown worked on an advanced honors project, producing a
paper titled, "Baudelaire: An Albatross and his Legacy." The unique thing about this
paper is that she wrote one version in English and another in French.Another project that she is proud of is her work on Dr. Richard Frost's book on the
history of Plattsburgh's first century as a city, which was commissioned as part of
a centennial commemoration for 2002."I researched a chapter on churches in Plattsburgh for the book," said Brown. "Dr.
Frost was a visiting professor and I took his class on the history of Plattsburgh.
At the end of the semester, he emailed the class to ask for help on his book, and
I volunteered."Brown said that she has a large family in the North Country and is looking forward
to teaching in the area. Her sister is also a Plattsburgh State student in her sophomore
year.
