Aw, Bats!

Big Brown bats in the rafters of historic Anderson Hall

This has been an exciting week for the Natural Sciences Division, especially Dr. Dave Unger and Scots Science Scholar Thomas Moore.

The effort to relocate the bats that had made their residence in historic Anderson Hall has moved forward another step this week with the installation of the bat condo on campus.

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Dr. Unger is interviewed by the media as the bat condo is installed behind him.

Learn  more about the effort by clicking on the following links.

 http://www.wbir.com/story/news/local/maryville-blount/2014/02/26/bat-condos-installed-on-maryville-college-campus/5844973/

www.knoxnews.com/videos/detail/maryville-college-new-bat-condo/

New bat condominiums bring educational benefits, unique environmental significance to campus community

The connection here is that the S3 program allows for each student to begin working on a research project in the first year.  Thomas Moore, who is planning on double majoring in biology and environmental studies, is working with Dr. Unger on this project.  He plans to turn the work into a project that lasts for his entire college career and that will culminate in his senior thesis.  Funding from S3 has helped with the purchase of equipment that will be used to monitor the bat houses.

In the Knoxville News Sentinel article below, Thomas says, “If we do get the bats to inhabit the houses, it will give a good idea of the population of bats we have in and around the area….It’s cool that the school has actually agreed to fund the project.”

www.knoxnews.com/news/2014/feb/26/maryville-college-gives-new-home-to-displaced/

We wish Thomas and Dr. Unger great luck and look forward to hearing their reports as the project continues!

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Dr. Dave Unger and Thomas Moore (lower left) are pictured together during the S3 summer experience, when Dr. Unger introduced the group to GPS and orienteering
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An Engineer’s look at Anderson Hall

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Jamel Foster stands outside of Anderson Hall

Many people want to go to class in the finest of buildings and live in the most elaborate homes. Little do they know how much work is put in to build these buildings and the stories that can be told though them. On January 24, 2013 the Scots Science Scholars including myself went  on a tour of Anderson Hall. As we arrived at the construction trailer we were briefed of some of the safety hazards and the actual risks that people have to experience working on a construction site.

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New joists shore up original construction

The group looks down on work begin down at the basement level.

The group looks down on work begin down at the basement level.

When I was with my dad as a child he had his own construction company and I was able to go on the sites and help him. I was taught every part of the jobs that we did and he trusted me at a young age to be responsible.  He wanted me to know how hard you have to work without a college education. When my dad started his company you did not have to have a college degree to own a construction company but now  people have begun to expect it. While my dad does not have his company any more,  I know with the skills I’ll get from a college degree and the experience and knowledge that I have acquired from my dad I can become as successful as he was. This trip to Anderson Hall was more than just another trip that I had to take it was an eye-opener to remember what has happened in my life. This trip cemented my desire to be an engineer.

IMG_6048Submitted by Jamel Foster, 2013 Scots Science Scholar

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