A group of Indiana University East students will leave on a trip Friday, October 7, to explore the American West. The 11 students, along with two faculty members, will depart from campus that morning to travel to southeastern Utah for a one-week excursion.

The trip is part of the first-year student experience at IU East and will have the character of a small expedition. Students will be camping and hiking in southeastern Utah. Students will study Indian cliff dwellings and visit several national parks in the area. All students in this group are enrolled in four classes including anthropology, history, mathematics and a First-Year Seminar. Students consider the topic of the American West in all four classes.

Markus Pomper, associate professor of mathematics, is the faculty coordinator for the First-Year Seminar and one of the two instructors who will be guiding students on the trip. Pomper said this trip is the centerpiece of the students’ classes this semester.

“Students have been studying prehistoric civilizations of the American West in their anthropology class, they have been learning about the history of the American West, and they have discussed aspects of planning and goal setting in the First-Year Seminar,” Pomper said. “With this trip, students will be able to witness first-hand what they learned about in the classroom. I am excited that we are able to offer this opportunity to our students.”

Rob Tolley, senior lecturer in anthropology, is equally excited. He has led previous trips to Utah but this is the first time he has taken a group of first-year students.

“I have surveyed this area of southeastern Utah, as part of major research projects, and I have led several other groups of students on this trip,” Tolley said.

Freshman Nick Miller of Winchester, Ind., said he was looking forward to the trip.

“I’m really excited to sleep out under the stars every night. The entire trip is going to be a new experience,” Miller said.

Classmate Taylor Richardson, a freshman from Liberty, Ind., said the students were already getting along well and were developing friendships. She said she is looking forward to visiting the Cliff Palace and the museums.

Students on the Utah trip are:
Tyler Allen, Brookville, Ind.
Erik Moore, Cambridge City, Ind.
Timothy Gard, Cambridge City, Ind.
Seth Strait, Cambridge City, Ind.
Cali O’Ryan Doerflein, Connersville, Ind.
Andrew Otherson, Eaton, Ohio
Brittany Miller, Greenville, Ohio
Taylor Richardson, Liberty, Ind.
Sierra Graham, Richmond, Ind.
Christopher Hundley, Rushville, Ind.
Nick Miller, Winchester, Ind.