UD Receives Funding for Women's Science Research Projects

Mar 18, 2010 | University of Dubuque Theological Seminary

The University of Dubuque recently received a $6,600 grant from The Monticello College Foundation (Godfrey, IL) to fund science research experiences for women.

Projects funded by this grant encourage talented women students to explore the field of science by offering hands-on research experiences.

Ten women environmental science and biology students are working on projects focused on several different research themes. The selected students will participate in the following on-going or newly-developed research projects:

  • the impact of high nitrogen levels on salamanders (Bridgett Fidder, sophomore, environmental science, Belvidere, IL);
  • changes in lighting of Bee Branch Creek, Dubuque (Christina Chamberlain, junior, biology, Johnsburg, IL),;
  • evaluation of grassland bird communities (Megan Goesse, junior, environmental science, Dubuque, IA and Tori Ballweg, sophomore, environmental science, Madison, WI);
  • the genetic basis of monstrous orchids (Cellese Griffin, junior, biology, White Sands Missle Range, NM and Rusmira Ahmetasevic, sophomore, biology, Dubuque, IA);
  • leg edema (Naomi Hasselblad, junior, biology, Galena, IL);
  • mussels as biological indicators (Lisa LaBudde, junior, environmental science, Freeport, IL);
  • water quality response to pervious pavement (Brittany Stringer, senior, environmental science, Bettendorf, IA);
  • and agricultural runoff in Hazel Green, Wisconsin (Kassandra Dickerson, junior, environmental science, East Dubuque, IL).

"This is the fourth year that we have received funding from the Monticello College Foundation for Women in Science, and we appreciate the support," said Dr. Dale Easley, head of the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences. "This grant will enable these ten students to deepen their scientific knowledge and expand their contacts with others working in related fields, becoming the next generation of scientific leaders and educators."

Funds from the grant will be used for various components of the research project, including stipends for participants, equipment, and supplies.

The Monticello College Foundation was formed in 1971. Monticello College, a two-year college for women, closed at that time and the campus was sold to the State of Illinois and became Lewis & Clark Community College. The charter of Monticello College was legally amended to be the charter of Monticello College Foundation with the same purpose - "to promote female education."

The College was founded in 1838 by Benjamin Godfrey who had eight daughters. His desire was that women would have the same opportunities for a good education that men had and the curriculum at that time was based on that of Harvard and Yale. During most of the existence of Monticello College, there was also a preparatory school for high school age girls. It was said that Benjamin Godfrey's philosophy was - "When you educate a man, you educate an individual. When you educate a woman, you educate a family."

The Monticello College Foundation offers scholarships for women to study in all fields and thus carries on the rich heritage of Benjamin Godfrey and Monticello College.