Class of 2011 - In attendance this summer: Ennis Barbery, Laci Browning, Brianna Dickerson, Liz Fleming, Rylee Genseal, Henry Heisey, Megan Hunt, Sarah Ison, Cassie Moore, Maggie Stephens, and Zach Woods.

Oxford University – Summer 2009

For the second time in two years I had the privilege to attend the Summer Programme at Oxford University along with our Yeager Scholars. I fully participated in the curriculum which helped me to appreciate the experience we require of our rising Junior students. As a faculty member in Biological Sciences it was intimidating to be in a Jane Austen seminar. I felt lacking in content knowledge. However, the three weeks long programme allows an individual to totally immerse themselves in a subject. It was hard work, but I was soon able to contribute in class discussions and the daily plenary lecture from outstanding experts in their field. The programme also includes opportunity for excursions outside of Oxford and related to course subjects. This was an amazing way to further an appreciation for a particular event or writer.

Our students were enrolled for the History, Politics and Society Summer school in “Globilisation – Evolution or Revolution?”, “Human Rights in Perspective”, “The Contemporary Middle East”, “Warfare in the Modern World” and “The Changing Face of Britain”. For English Literature Summer school they took “Critical Reading”, “Shakespeare on Stage and Screen” and “Jane Austen and the Regency”. Each course requires a research paper, mandatory attendance and class participation. By the end of the three weeks we all were exhausted but confident in our academic abilities.

As the Marshall University representative I was constantly being updated by the Oxford faculty regarding the progress of the Yeager scholars. Unanimously they were very complimentary and many stated how much they looked forward to having Marshall students in their courses. Our Yeagers have set very high standards at this academic programme and continue to maintain them.

Without a doubt the Oxford University Summer programme is an important aspect to the Yeager scholars’ programme. For some this was their first exposure to international students and foreign travel.  Maybe for the first time they realize the value of the four Yeager seminars which they have just finished prior to attending Oxford. The training and preparation from their seminars totally prepare them for this academic experience. I honestly wish I had been so prepared.

By Dr. Nicki LoCascio, Interim Director

Students volunteer with Habitat for Humanity

Yeager Retreat Week 2009

 “They didn’t sleep in tents?” was Dr. Nicki LoCascio’s response when I told her that the new freshmen Yeager Scholars had, indeed, spent the night outside under nothing but a picnic pavilion instead of sleeping inside the shelter of tents in the pouring rain during their retreat week trip to the New River. Several of the freshmen had either never been camping at all or never been camping in anything but a camper. They repeatedly tried new and unfamiliar things and overcame challenges and fears throughout the week.

The Yeager Scholar Class of 2013 arrived at Marshall University and moved into their dorm rooms on Monday, August 17^th. The next day everyone squeezed into a van and headed for the New River. Upon arriving in Fayetteville, the group went rappelling off Ram’s Head with Passages to Adventure Co.  All harnessed up and ready to free rappel 147 feet down a cliff, every individual soaked up the view of watching from above as hawks soared below. The freshmen cracked jokes and laughed nervously and absentmindedly hummed “Free Fallin’ ” to pass the time and calm their nerves before it was their turn. Some of them had no problem rappelling, but for others, a fear of heights had to be overcome. With support from the group, no one let their fear get the best of them; every freshmen went “free fallin’.” By Wednesday, after rappelling, camping, and whitewater rafting, all were ready to be back to their new home at Marshall!

The freshmen’s smiling faces made it feel like the holidays in the CAE when they received their computers on Thursday morning. On Friday, the group volunteered with Habitat for Humanity building the organization’s 70^th house, which is being constructed for a cancer survivor. This was another activity that many of the freshmen had never done! They learned how to do major tasks like insulate walls and floors and hang siding as well as minor tasks like hammering a nail in straight and loading a staple gun. The freshmen were excited about all the new “life skills” they had learned in just their first week at college! And at the end of the day, the Yeager Scholar Class of 2013 didn’t just build a house—they built relationships.

by Patty Wheaton, Yeager Class of 2012

There are tons of ways to get or stay involved with the Program.  Alumni are needed to interview scholarship applicants, plan reunion events, handle alumni communications and mentor current scholars or young alums.  If you are interested in getting involved, just email or call Sharlee Henry at (800) 438-5395 or henrys@marshall.edu.  Also, continue watching your email for notices of events and activities.  As always, the Yeager website can identify ways to get involved.