2024 Butler Fellows to Participate in Internships and Conduct Research
By Stacey Ortman
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Eight University of Dubuque students will participate in internships in their intended professions or conduct research with faculty on topics such as the role of literature within civic unrest this summer through the John and Alice Butler Summer Research Fellowship.
Fellows will also build professional relationships through activities such as mock interviews, resume and cover letter design, and networking opportunities to enhance their post-graduate employment. They will commit to 400 hours of work over a 10-week period this summer. Fellows will each receive a stipend of $5,500 with an additional $600 for research or internship associated supplies and/or travel costs.
Fellows are required to present the results of their research or internship during the following academic year at a local, regional, or national conference.
"The John and Alice Butler Summer Research Fellowship provides students an invaluable opportunity to gain work experience through industry specific internships or research, and it has had a far-reaching influence on students since its inception in 2018," said Mark Sinton, PhD, director of the Chlapaty and Butler fellowship programs and associate professor of chemistry. "Since becoming director for this program in 2020, I've personally watched all of the Butler Fellows be transformed from students into confident early professionals in their chosen careers. The experiences and skills Butler Fellows gain are tremendously important to their success as students and researchers."
The following students were named 2024 Butler Fellows:
Leah Balsbaugh, a junior environmental science major from Sussex, Wisconsin
Project: Land Management Intern at the Wolter Woods and Prairies
Advisor: Paige Peterson (C'22), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies
"I hope to expand my knowledge about land management and conservation techniques through my internship at Wolter Woods and Prairies this summer. I also hope to continue to learn the skills needed to pursue a career in environmental science and work in a group setting to accomplish conservation goals."
Hannah Bauch, a senior digital art and design major from Mount Carroll, Illinois
Project: Brand/Social Media Design Guideline Book for the University of Dubuque Athletic Department
Advisor: Sheila Sabers, MAC, head of the Department of Digital Art and Design and assistant professor of digital art and design
"In doing this project, I hope to collaborate with the Athletic Department and the Office of University Relations to create a consistent online identity for UD athletics. The opportunity to develop an enhanced social media presence will be a valuable portfolio piece, seeing as I intend to pursue a career in the sports industry upon graduating."
Andrew Coats, a junior politics and English double major from Normal, Illinois
Project: The Role of Literature Within Civic Unrest
Advisor: Jonathan Barz, PhD, professor of English
"My research will look into literature's role within different periods of civic unrest in the United States. This research could change the way we study both literature and politics. By doing an in-depth literary analysis, I will look to see literature as either an anecdote or a cause of civic unrest in the US. I am filled with excitement to be a Butler research fellow. This experience will be instrumental when taking the next steps in my educational journey in law school."
Riley Finn, a senior elementary education major from Galena, Illinois
Project: Prevalence and Impact of English Language Learner Teaching Strategies in Iowa and Illinois School Districts
Advisor: Angela Brandel, EdD, professor of education
"With more than 10 percent of students in the United States being English Language Learners (ELL), I hope my project will provide me with researched-based teaching strategies that allow ELL to feel empowered, safe, and involved in their learning. I then hope to take my findings and educate in-service and pre-service teachers on the teaching strategies that are most effective for ELL."
McCormick Flaada, a senior environmental science major from Hermantown, Minnesota
Project: Land Management Intern at the Wolter Woods and Prairies
Advisor: Paige Peterson (C'22), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies
"I hope to see improvement in the conservation of the property."
Rozi Gedeon, a first-year biology, environmental science, and chemistry triple major from Veresegyház, Hungary
Project: Land Management Intern at the Wolter Woods and Prairies
Advisor: Paige Peterson (C'22), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies
"I think this internship is an amazing opportunity to use all the knowledge we have and will be learning in our work this summer and in our future career. Hopefully, I will be able to make some changes for the better, learn even more, and finally have an idea of what it means to have that understanding of our natural world and the changes that this knowledge can make. This internship will allow me to really see how land management works, what research studies it takes to come up with ideas, and possible solutions for problems. I'm sure that the internship will be intimidating and scary at times in the sense of realizing how little I probably know compared to what I thought had known, but I certainly see that as a great opportunity and inspiration to study further and to do something valuable with that knowledge."
Parker Navitsky, a junior environmental science major from Rochester, Minnesota
Project: Land Management Intern at the Wolter Woods and Prairies
Advisor: Paige Peterson (C'22), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies
"I'm most excited about being out at the woods and being able to transition what I learned in class to working in the field! I'm also excited to be able to represent our university by working hard for it."
Alex Smith, a senior digital art and design major from Algonquin, Illinois
Project: American Advertising Federation of Dubuque (AAF Dubuque) Public Service for the Multicultural Family Center
Advisor: Sheila Sabers, MAC, head of the Department of Digital Art and Design and assistant professor of digital art and design
"I hope that my project will provide needed service in the graphic design space for the Multicultural Family Center in Dubuque."
