Student Profile Archives - �鶹ӰԺ University

Internship gives Emma Moya ’25 a deep dive into life as a marine scientist

Communications — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:27:21 +0000

Emma Moya ’25, a scholar-athlete majoring in biology with a minor in fine arts, says her 20s aren’t meant to be a time of certainty. She believes this decade of her life is about building resilience, nurturing curiosity, and chasing the things that make her soul light up. It’s this mindset that encouraged her to take on a summer internship through the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP).

“It was truly my dream internship,” Moya said. “One that not only deepened my passion for marine biology but also equipped me with invaluable skills and insights. This opportunity reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing graduate studies in the field and ignited an even stronger drive to contribute to marine conservation.”

The program brought together students from institutions such as New College of Florida, Sweet Briar College, Coastal Carolina University, and the University of Florida, offering the chance to connect with peers who share a passion for marine science.

“It’s exciting to think about how we, as emerging scientists, can work together to protect our oceans and serve as a bridge between marine ecosystems and the broader community,” she said.

Diving into research

The internship offered Moya a comprehensive and immersive experience in marine biology. She spent her time doing fieldwork, including boat surveys for population monitoring, acoustic monitoring throughout the Sarasota Bay, fishing to study dolphin distribution and their prey, and gaining skills in photo identification. These hands-on experiences offered a realistic glimpse into the life of a marine biologist.

“To thrive in this environment, it’s essential to have a growth mindset—being open to change, willing to explore new interests, and understanding that your passions may evolve,” Moya said. “You might discover that something you expected to love isn’t quite the right fit or unexpectedly fall in love with a new area of study.”

The SDRP challenges students to grow as scientists through real-world research and offers ongoing opportunities to volunteer in diverse projects—from necropsies and offshore acoustic receiver deployments to sea turtle hatchling releases and collaborating with shark researchers.

“At SDRP, you’re encouraged to be curious, ask questions, read scientific literature, and learn from both successes and mistakes,” Moya said. “Ultimately, the experience is what you make of it—so be a sponge, soak up every opportunity, and allow yourself to grow both personally and professionally.”

Emma Moya ’25 in the Gulf of Mexico next to Mote Marine Lab research boat

Learning beyond the science

Being a scientist means more than just doing science: it requires confidence, courage, resilience, and most importantly, a willingness to face the unknown and embrace failure as part of the journey. These are the traits that have sustained SDRP’s legacy for 55 years and enabled it to produce pioneering research for marine mammals.

By continuing to take bold steps driven by curiosity and ambition, SDRP has helped lay the foundation for marine mammal conservation and inspired generations of scientists to follow.

In analyzing the behavior and health of small cetaceans, Moya noted that when dolphins are together, they’re not called pods; they’re called communities.

“The bottlenose dolphins are just like us—living creatures who are curious, trying to survive, and remarkably intelligent with developed communication skills that help expand their complex social structures,” said Moya. “Bottlenose dolphins are self-aware and able to recognize one another through signature whistles.”

Dolphins serve as vital indicators of the health of the world’s oceans. They play a key role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems, help control fish populations, help maintain water quality, and keep the food chain in balance.

“Their sensitivity to environmental changes makes them sort of like our ocean security guards for detecting issues like pollution and disease, or even with incidents of algal blooms like red tide, which occurred in 2021 throughout the Sarasota Bay,” said Moya. “However, when dolphins are in trouble, it can be a serious sign that our oceans may be at risk too.”

Exploring the opportunities

�鶹ӰԺ students are encouraged by faculty and staff to take on internships to expand their understanding, build relationships, and strengthen their overall career path.

“‘Ride my wave’—that’s something my mom always tells me, and it’s become a grounding mantra throughout my college journey,” Moya said. “It reminds me to stay present and embrace each moment, whether it’s challenging or joyful. The tough times are temporary, and the good ones pass quickly too—so it’s important to appreciate them while they last.” This perspective has shaped not only how Moya moves through tough moments, but also how she approaches the future.

“Even when the wave you’re riding knocks you down, you get back on the board and catch the next wave. That mindset is guiding me as I work toward graduate school in marine mammal research while staying open to new opportunities that may come my way.”

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Student Miles McCue ’27 finds purpose, not perfection

Communications — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:20:48 +0000

For �鶹ӰԺ University student Miles McCue ’27, success isn’t about finding perfection; it’s about finding purpose. As a scholar-athlete, campus leader, and mentor, McCue embodies a mindset rooted in self-discipline and genuine connection.

“I always want to be a positive example for others,” McCue said. “At first, it is easy to get into your own head and think that everything must be perfect since you are considered a leader, but that is far from the truth. Nobody is perfect, and there is only so much you have control over. I have developed the skill of only focusing on the things I can control, for example, my attitude, work ethic, and how I treat my teammates and peers.”

As a dean’s list biochemistry major with a minor in Spanish, McCue devotes himself to his academic studies while taking on several leadership roles across campus. He’s an orientation leader, EPIC mentor, assistant captain of the men’s hockey team, co-president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), and an on-campus tutor.

McCue understands the value of being organized. His success doesn’t come by chance; he’s intentional about what he focuses on each day.

“I have become a Microsoft Outlook Calendar professional, or at least I like to think so,” McCue said. “Every activity that I am planning to do goes on my calendar. That way, I can look and see what is going on during the day, so I stay focused and thinking about the right things throughout the day.”

The Monument, Colorado, native came to �鶹ӰԺ because he wanted to be challenged in the classroom and as a hockey player. This pursuit of athletic and academic excellence has given him a sense of joy and fulfillment.

Finding joy in the work

“I have genuine happiness when I am on the ice, when I am an orientation leader, in the classroom, and more,” he said. “It is a blessing to be involved in things that you enjoy doing. It makes it easy to find ways to dedicate time and stay focused on them!”

As a peer mentor, McCue credits his ability to relate to others through his own humanity and experiences as the key to success. Through his openness and authenticity, he’s able to connect with others in a meaningful way.

“I think it is important to be relatable to the people around you. Sometimes when you are in the position of being a mentor, it is easy to try and portray that your life is perfect and you have all this incredible wisdom, but we all know that isn’t the case,” McCue said. “The biggest thing I try to do when working with others is relate to them. I look to share experiences and things that I have gone through to relate and show them that I am not perfect, and we are all living and working through life together.”

McCue credits the extraordinary people, resources, and campus culture at �鶹ӰԺ for helping him develop into the best version of himself and preparing him for the career and life he aspires to have.

“I am hoping to get into medical school,” McCue said. “From there, I want to continue learning and growing as a student and leader on the journey to becoming a practicing physician. �鶹ӰԺ has been instrumental in helping me prepare for my life ahead.”

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A ‘simple act’ changed Justin Wolf’s ’25 life forever

Communications — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:02:32 +0000

Despite a rocky start in life, Justin Wolf ’25 got a second chance for a normal childhood when he was adopted by �鶹ӰԺ music professor Ann Ellsworth and her husband, Dave.

When he was just 5 years old, Wolf and his two younger siblings were removed by Child Protective Services from a home environment deemed unsuitable for healthy child development due to abuse and neglect. They were placed in a foster home with an older brother and sister unrelated to them.

“Growing up with five siblings was probably the most consistent and normal-feeling part of my childhood because, even though we aren’t all biologically related, we lived in the same foster home and became a family unit together,” Wolf said.

Ellsworth and her husband initially adopted the unrelated brother and sister from Wolf’s foster home, who soon began advocating for the younger kids, worrying that they were not safe in the foster home, Ellsworth said.

“The older sibling group made such a strong case for adopting Justin and his siblings, we had pretty much decided to do it without even meeting them,” Ellsworth said. “When we saw them all together for the first time, we realized that they all had a very strong attachment to each other.”

Wolf and his siblings were placed with Ellsworth in May 2008, and in November 2009, all five children were adopted at once.

“Reflecting back on it, I believe that the trauma of removal from my biological parents and experiencing abuse and neglect in both my first home and my foster home was the root cause of the emotional and behavioral issues I had as a child,” Wolf said.

Justin and Ann take a selfie together (2015).

Like many children living in or adopted from foster care, Wolf struggled to settle into his new home despite the stability it offered.

“Justin was just turning 9 years old when I met him,” Ellsworth said. “His childhood had been disrupted, and he had an understandable distrust of me and adults in general.” He dealt with his trauma, in part, Ellsworth said, “by testing the limits and boundaries of his new parents.”

The trauma of his early childhood left Wolf with behavioral issues—problems that are, sadly, fairly common with kids in the foster care system.

“My adoptive parents, Ann and Dave, played a huge role in helping me work on myself,” Wolf said. “Having space to just be a kid and explore my creativity helped me improve my behavior and learn how to regulate my emotions better.”

Wolf began to blossom—and believe—in his parents.

“It was hard at first to trust and believe that my new parents actually loved me and had my best interest at heart, so I was often defensive in the beginning,” Wolf said. “But my mom was a relentless advocate for me and never gave up on me even when others might have.”

When Ellsworth moved to Wisconsin for her new position at �鶹ӰԺ, Wolf followed to be closer to his family.

“I decided to give college another try, and �鶹ӰԺ was an excellent opportunity for me,” Wolf said. “I just really feel at peace when I am making music.”

Wolf graduated from �鶹ӰԺ University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. He recently got married and moved to a new city to start a leadership job in retail, which he said he enjoys immensely.

“My adoption gave me a second chance at a normal childhood,” Wolf said. “Being aware of what my life used to be like, what it’s like now, and the alternative route it could have taken has made me extremely grateful for my parents and how the simple act of a parent’s love can completely change your life.”

Reflecting on her hopes for Justin’s future, Ellsworth responded with, “That he will always know he is loved unconditionally.”

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2025 graduate Kai Frueh unites contemporary music and birdsong in Senior Experience

Communications — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:51:08 +0000

Recent graduate Kai Frueh ’25 is an emerging pianist dedicated to contemporary music, with a handful of premieres already under his belt. His Senior Experience looked further back—to the oldest musicians of all: birds.

With three world premieres, “Kai’s Bird Recital” drew on both contemporary musical innovations and the ancient artistry of the natural world. For Frueh, a piano performance major from Corvallis, Oregon, these seemingly distinct passions are deeply intertwined.

“A lot of music is done aurally, and a lot of birding—especially the birding I’m interested in—is also done aurally,” Frueh said. “F�ǰ� both, listening is a huge part, and different approaches to listening is something I think a lot about.”

Frueh conceptualizes the vast variety of bird songs as a “repertoire” in itself. His recital highlighted a wide range of how composers have explored this treasure trove.

Among these are classic examples of bird-inspired music: Mikhail Glinka’s The Lark, arranged for piano by his protégé Mily Balakirev, is a Russian staple, while Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time is an early example of the composer’s life-long obsession with birdsong.

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To heighten the sonic immersion, Frueh took advantage of Harper Hall’s extensive renovations last winter. He utilized the new surround sound system to project bird call recordings from different directions across the room. At one point, he improvised at the piano in response to them.

“During COVID, my brother [Ben Frueh, a �鶹ӰԺ violin student] and I gave outdoor concerts for our neighbors,” he recalled. “I distinctly remember one time someone telling me they had a much easier time focusing because the performance was in a natural soundscape—the soundscape became part of the pieces that we were performing.”

At �鶹ӰԺ, Frueh found academic footing for these sentiments. A variety of influences proved influential, many found through musicology coursework and an independent study with Sonja Lynn Downing, associate professor of ethnomusicology. The work of acoustic ecologist R. Murray Schafer, bioacoustician Bernie Krause, alongside the deep listening techniques of composer Pauline Oliveros——proved pivotal.

Frueh originally considered an outdoor concert, but piano-moving logistics proved impractical. Indoors, however, he found new creative possibilities: the chance to design tailored soundscapes for each piece, pairing recorded birdsong with its musical reflection.

“The instruments in Quartet for the End of Time imitate the common nightingale and Eurasian blackbird—European species which we wouldn’t be able to hear live,” he explained. “So, instead I’ve been able to pull recordings of those and play those through the surround sound.”

Several world premieres took this approach even further, each with a unique relationship to birds and place.

Frueh was joined by his brother Ben for Thomas Meinzen’s Headland (2024), written during a residency at Sitka Center for Arts and Ecology on the Oregon coast. It features field recordings from more than 10 birders.

“Ben and I have worked with Thomas for over five years,” Frueh said, “and this piece really celebrates the birds of that coastline. The field recordings are cued live by the performers, to enter at different points in the piece.”

Headland was also recorded in the spring and will be featured on an environmentally themed EP the Frueh brothers are releasing with Meinzen on Aug. 1.

Another piece, �շɾ��ٳ��,��by Orson Abram, received its second performance, having been premiered by Frueh at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music over his 2024 spring break.

“F�ǰ� Twitcher, we used a transducer on the piano’s soundboard that amplifies the bird songs through the instrument itself, so the piano becomes the speaker—the birds basically have a voice through it.”

The final two premieres underscored the recital’s global reach: Nickerson Beach by Brad Balliett evoked a Long Island birding site, including video projections in slow-motion.

Another, Julia Tchira’s Upland Sandpiper, connected Argentina and Wisconsin through the migratory path of a single species. This piece took an activist bent, aiming to draw attention to the conservation issues often faced by different grassland migratory birds. Frueh and Tchira’s collaboration was .

Even older pieces gained new life in this context. Amy Beach’s Hermit Thrush at Eve, which Frueh first performed as a sophomore, returned with immersive recordings of the bird that inspired it.

Frueh explained: “It’s been influential for me to think: what is it like to interact musically with a soundscape?”

Frueh will explore that question further this summer, performing in the soundSCAPE festival in Blonay, Switzerland. After that he’ll attend Bowling Green State University to pursue further piano studies.

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Sophomore Maddie Bublik builds important connections outside the classroom

Communications — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:13:17 +0000

Maddie Bublik, a �鶹ӰԺ University sophomore from Wausau, Wisconsin, is making an impact on and off campus through her role as the coordinator of a �鶹ӰԺ program that encourages students to volunteer as tutors for young students in the Appleton community.

It’s one of multiple ways the physics and German double major is making important connections on her undergraduate journey.

is a program for �鶹ӰԺ students to get experience in one-on-one tutoring with K-12 students in the Appleton Area School District (AASD). As the program coordinator, Bublik matches �鶹ӰԺ students with AASD students who need help in a chosen subject area.

“I am passionate about helping people, and VITAL is a wonderful way to do that,” Bublik said. “VITAL allows me to assist students from �鶹ӰԺ who want volunteer opportunities and also assist students from AASD who are struggling and need help with the harder subjects in school.”

Bublik’s work in VITAL has helped her develop wide-ranging skills, including professional communication and efficient productivity. While she’s not looking at jobs specific to education, she believes the skills she’s developing are important to any field, including her planned path of dentistry.

“F�ǰ� now, I just really enjoy the VITAL Program and working in the CCE (Center for Community Engagement and Social Change) with all of the wonderful people,” Bublik said.

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When not running VITAL, Bublik can be found hard at work in the classroom and on the tennis court. She fell in love with physics while shadowing a Modern Physics class at a LUX (�鶹ӰԺ University Experience) event prior to starting at �鶹ӰԺ.

Bublik said she’s enjoyed the dynamic range of the physics major, and she loves the people she gets to work with. She did not originally plan a second major in German, but she found that she loved the language and culture, as well as the German Department, while completing her language requirement. She now plans to study abroad in Berlin.

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Bublik started playing tennis during her sophomore year of high school. While she enjoyed it, she never planned to play at the college level. That changed when Hannah Herzog in �鶹ӰԺ Athletics reached out and asked if she would be interested in joining the team during her first year at �鶹ӰԺ.

“I love playing since it’s not just physical but it’s also such a mental game,” Bublik said. “So many things are so different about every single player you play. It’s a very adaptable sport.”

If there’s one thing Bublik has learned so far in her time at �鶹ӰԺ, it’s the importance of self-advocacy.

“I wouldn’t have gotten my position as the program coordinator or any of the opportunities it’s given me if I hadn’t applied to the CCE and reached out,” she said. “I’ve met some of my favorite people here through the CCE, and if I hadn’t reached out in the first place none of that would have happened.”

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Bruna Velez named �鶹ӰԺ’s senior class speaker: ‘Past four years have been transformative’

Communications — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:29:39 +0000

Bruna Velez, a senior international relations major from New York City, will be the senior class speaker at �鶹ӰԺ University’s 2025 Commencement, set for June 15 on Main Hall Green.

“These past four years have been transformative, both academically and personally,” Velez said of her desire to represent the senior class. “I wanted the opportunity to thank and acknowledge my fellow classmates because we did it together. It’s an honor to be part of the Class of 2025.”

Velez, selected for the honor by a committee of faculty and staff, has been a leader during her time at �鶹ӰԺ, including serving as president of �鶹ӰԺ’s Model United Nations team, working with the Office of Advancement to connect with alumni through the Forever a Lawrentian campaign, and being active in sorority life and on the cheer and dance teams. She studied abroad in Rome and secured summer internships in New York and Washington, D.C.

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She also was selected as one of the student dancers for “Gather Together,” the original dance performance presented in May by choreographer Robert Battle as part of �鶹ӰԺ’s inaugural Creator in Residence program.

“It was an absolutely amazing experience and truly reinforced how to best connect to people through the arts,” Velez said.

Her post-graduation plan includes working as a paralegal for a year or two before beginning law school.

“I’ve always wanted to go into law to help people,” Velez said. “I’m trying to find that area between my international studies and humanitarian law, as well as international business law, and then slowly migrating into refugee and immigration law.”

An Ecuadorian American, Velez first connected with �鶹ӰԺ through the university’s partnership with the Posse Foundation. Her international relations major gave her access to visiting professors and other professionals who spoke passionately about diplomacy work and other aspects of international careers.

“And then through Model UN, which is facilitated through the International Relations Department, we’ve been able to meet people from all over the world and experience what it’s like to be part of an international community,” Velez said. “All of that really solidified my want and desire to be a part of it.”

She will share aspects of that journey with her fellow graduates at Commencement.

“I am incredibly grateful for the experience I’ve had here at �鶹ӰԺ,” Velez said.

�鶹ӰԺ’s Commencement also will feature an address from Commencement speaker Campbell Scott ’83, an accomplished actor and director, a message from �鶹ӰԺ President Laurie A. Carter, and the awarding of honorary degrees to Robert McDonald ’73, a much-honored pianist and music educator, and Scott. Beginning at 10 a.m., it will be the culmination of a Commencement weekend that includes a Commencement concert on June 13 featuring members of the Class of 2025, a cookout for the campus community and a Baccalaureate service, both on the afternoon of June 14, a weekend-long senior art exhibition in Wriston Art Center, and various dinners and celebrations.

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A summer with dolphins awaits junior Emma Moya as she dives into Sarasota internship

Communications — Fri, 23 May 2025 20:11:04 +0000

�鶹ӰԺ University junior Emma Moya will be spending her summer with dolphins.

The biology major from Chicago has secured an internship with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, where she will join other students and scientists in Sarasota, Florida, gathering and analyzing data on dolphins. It’s an opportunity her experiences in �鶹ӰԺ’s marine biology program made possible.

The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program is the longest running program of its kind in the world. It involves analyzing the behavior and health of small cetaceans, and the related impact of human behavior and interactions.

Underwater photography was part of the experience for Emma Moya during last year’s LUMP research trip to Bonaire.

Moya is looking forward to using her experiences with underwater photography to improve accessibility to the research, as well as learning more about marine mammal behavior and the impacts humans have on these creatures.

This is the next step in Moya’s career plans. She aspires to study marine animals as a means to improve conservation, integrate photography into research, and improve education on the important role the ocean and marine animals play in our environment.

“Sometimes we get caught up in publishing papers,” Moya said. “But it’s also important to articulate to the public what you do and ignite that fire for positive change in the next generation.”

In her college search, �鶹ӰԺ quickly stood out as a place where Moya could pursue several of her passions as a first-gen student. She did just that. In addition to seeking out opportunities in marine biology, she minored in studio art and competed in two varsity sports—basketball and lacrosse.

Her love for marine biology has grown in the subsequent years, including her desire to make research more accessible to the public through photography and effective communication.

“It is important for me as a scientist to encourage the people around me and to say that you also have the power to make a difference in the world,” Moya said.

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She first became passionate about accessibility while interning at the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, where she grew her communication skills while giving tours and improving programs involving biofacts. She gained experience in grant writing, raising funds to improve the biofact room, and creating a safe, fun public space to learn more about the natural world.

Moya then participated in the �鶹ӰԺ University Marine Program (LUMP) under the guidance and encouragement of her academic advisor, Bart De Stasio. The program has been around for almost half a century and provides students with the opportunity to analyze a coral reef habitat and then develop a group research project. Last year’s program took Moya to Bonaire, an island municipality that lies off Venezuela’s coast in the southern Caribbean. She and her peers studied fish and coral reef environments.

Learn more about the Marine Term program at �鶹ӰԺ.

“I was excited to incorporate underwater photography as a way to improve communication,” Moya said. “There’s not a lot of visualizations or pictures in research. All we usually have are graphs.”

Underwater photography also proved an ecological benefit, as day and night photography allowed the team to identify early stages of coral bleaching, a phenomenon that occurs in unhealthy coral.

LUMP was a highlight in Moya’s time at �鶹ӰԺ, as the experience reinforced her love for marine biology.

“It’s a great opportunity to see if you want to do research and get a sense for the feel of what it’s like, not only as a marine biologist but as an educator and advocate for our oceans,” she said.

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Brooklyn Schara takes her passion for leadership to new role as president of LUCC

Communications — Thu, 15 May 2025 15:28:11 +0000

After spending a year as vice president, �鶹ӰԺ University sophomore Brooklyn “Brook” Schara has stepped into her new role as president of the �鶹ӰԺ University Community Council (LUCC).

As the student branch of �鶹ӰԺ’s shared governance, LUCC recognizes and funds student organizations, acts as a forum for student voices, and plays a part in non-curricular legislation on campus.

“In a lot of ways, it’s the natural continuation,” Schara said. “I wanted to see all those things we were talking about and steering come full circle, and see those projects completed.”

Schara, from North Freedom, Wisconsin, is an international relations and Spanish double major. She brings with her experience as president of the First Generation Student Association and Lambda Sigma, vice president of external affairs in Kappa Kappa Gamma, and a member of SAASHA, the Honor Council, and Panhellenic Council.

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That is a lot of leadership and student involvement in just her second year.

“The reason it works for me is because they’re all passion points,” Schara said. “You’re not just supposed to be busy, you are supposed to be busy and loving the life you’re leading.”

Schara is excited to work for the student body, working efficiently to get �鶹ӰԺ students what they need when they need it, whatever that may be.

“It’s always been a little bit hard for me to say what my plan is, because it’s going to depend on what we need,” she said. “Right now, a lot of it is unpacking the ‘�鶹ӰԺ busy.’ That’s something LUCC has been working on since I got here.”

Along with responding to student interests, Schara is going to continue work that’s already been started in streamlining LUCC’s bylaws and legislation.

“In my last term as vice president, we looked at the organizational finance legislation and tidied it up—made it make a bit more sense,” she explained. “We’re also looking through and making sure our bylaws make sense with what we’ve already said, as well as finance, which is not a small job. You’re doing budget funding and emergency requests for 112 student orgs.”

Schara hopes to study abroad in London as part of her international relations major, and her plan after �鶹ӰԺ is to attend law school to work in international labor law.

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Concerto competition winner Vivian Shanley explores musical versatility with double bass

Communications — Thu, 01 May 2025 13:45:09 +0000

Musicians often specialize in a single genre, some rarely venturing into other realms. For �鶹ӰԺ University junior Vivian Shanley, this was not an option. Through the double bass, Shanley has discovered just how versatile one instrument can be, using it to explore a broad spectrum of musical traditions during her time at �鶹ӰԺ.

Her recent victory in the Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition is a case in point. Set for performance with the LU Wind Ensemble in Memorial Chapel on May 3 (concert begins at 7:30 p.m.), Shanley’s winning piece—Dana Wilson’s Concerto for Contrabass and Wind Ensemble—is rich with allusions to many musical styles.

“There are definitely some jazz influences,” said Shanley, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “There are also a lot of Afro-Cuban influences, some avant-garde jazz influences. I would call it groove-based music. I hope the audience is dancing in their seats a little bit.”

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The piece’s shifting styles include a general improvisatory aesthetic—so convincing, in fact, that Shanley said she has received compliments on her “improvised sections,” even though the entire work is fully written out.

She insists that the piece’s inventiveness isn’t rooted in unjustified randomicity. Instead, its high-energy character arises from meticulously organized material.

“There’s so much kind of call and response between the bass and the wind ensemble, both as a whole and with individual players,” she said. “It’s really fun to listen to, whether you’ve heard it a million times like I have, or for the first time.”

Furthermore, each of the concerto’s three movements is titled and inspired by a poem; the wide-ranging authors include Walt Whitman, Hildegard von Bingen, and William Butler Yeats. Though each portion presents a distinct soundscape, Shanley observes a subtle narrative linking them together.

“In my mind, I have a story I’ve made up and applied to it,” she said. “I hope everyone else creates their own narrative too. It feels like a journey, and to me it’s all connected.”

Genre is not the only plurality in Shanley’s musical life; her instruments include not just the double bass, but French horn and piano. In fact, it was the latter that first drew her to music at just 5 years old.

“As soon as I started playing piano, I thought, I want to do this for the rest of my life: playing music,” Shanley said.

Quickly though, the bass became her calling card.

“I joined my orchestra in fifth grade on bass; I was just so drawn to the sound,” she recalled. “You kind of have to be, because it’s such a pain to haul around a bass. But I love how it’s so integral to so many styles of music. It can be the harmonic foundation, rhythmic framework, or a soloist.”

That versatility made �鶹ӰԺ University her ideal choice. She is majoring in music performance (double bass) and music education.

“I really came to �鶹ӰԺ because I wanted to study with Mark Urness,” Shanley said. “But I’ve stayed for so many more reasons. I love playing in the orchestra with Mark Dupere and playing in LUJE [�鶹ӰԺ University Jazz Ensemble] with Patty Darling. Even when my focus [has shifted]—between orchestra, solo music, jazz, or teaching—�鶹ӰԺ has always supported me.”

After her performance this week, Shanley has a busy summer ahead. She’ll be attending the Domaine Forget International Festival and bass-focused Wabass Institute, and she’s preparing for her first professional orchestra audition in June.

“The audition preparation has been a really exciting new challenge,” she said. “My whole musical career, I’ve been focused on one gigantic piece at a time. Now I’m working on 24 different orchestral excerpts. They’re all short, but all so different. It’s been super fun.”

Long-term, Shanley sees graduate school in her future, but not right away. First, she’ll complete student teaching as part of her major in music education.

“I love being a student,” she said with a laugh. “I think I want to be a teacher because it’s the closest you can get to just being a student forever.”

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Common Council seat part of Adrian Stancil-Martin’s desire to serve his community

Communications — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:28:17 +0000

Adrian Stancil-Martin, a first-year �鶹ӰԺ University student, has quickly made himself at home on campus and in the City of Appleton.

The government and philosophy double major from Washington Heights in New York City immediately jumped into �鶹ӰԺ’s extracurriculars, joining the Model UN team, the Judicial Board, �鶹ӰԺ Student Democrats, and �鶹ӰԺ University Community Council (LUCC).

And this spring, he ran for an open seat on the city’s Common Council. And won. He was elected April 1, less than seven months after arriving at �鶹ӰԺ.

“I knew that something I wanted to do when I got to college was be involved with the student community,” Stancil-Martin said. “I enjoy keeping myself busy. I hate having a Saturday where I have nothing to do.”

Stancil-Martin joined �鶹ӰԺ Student Democrats just before the 2024 election, so he was immediately involved with canvassing and door-knocking to rally voters, which he said was a vital skill for his own campaign. Then, when Common Council member Kris Alfheim won a State Senate seat and vacated her position as alderperson, Stancil-Martin decided to run for the open seat.

“I used a lot of what I learned while door-knocking for the election in November,” he said. “I’d go around introducing myself, asking what concerns people have on the local level, and how I can advocate for them if elected on the council.”

Stancil-Martin’s goal in this seat is to use his position as a �鶹ӰԺ student to bridge gaps between the university and the wider community. He’s committed to representing everyone’s interests, regardless of political position.

“I stuck to my passions,” he said. “Talking about where we can find common ground on issues. There’s plenty of residents who didn’t vote for me, but the election’s over, and now my job is to represent everyone in the district as best as I can.”

Another of his most important goals is to be accessible to those he represents.

“I want students and other residents of the district to hold me accountable,” he said. “If you’re a student or a resident, you can always stop me and ask me questions or tell me what you want to see, and I’ll never shrug you off.”

Stancil-Martin came to �鶹ӰԺ looking for a well-rounded, liberal arts education, which he said has been a blessing. He thanked Katie Van Zeeland, a �鶹ӰԺ staff member, and Martyn Smith, associate professor of religious studies, for their guidance. Both are sitting members of the Common Council.

“I love it here,” Stancil-Martin said. “I love going to Cabaret, I love seeing how supportive students are. I committed in December, so really early, and I’ve never regretted my decision to come here. I don’t think I ever will.”

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