EUS Students

×

Xaver Kandler

During his time at Bard, Xaver has helped organize a national series of events on climate change for the Bard Center for Environmental Policy, worked with the mayor of Tivoli to develop a tenants’ rights handbook as a part of All Politics Is Local, an Engaged Liberal Arts and Sciences Course, and worked on environmental justice issues in New York City. When not organizing, researching, or writing, Xaver can be found backpacking, dancing, playing Frisbee, or in his kitchen exploring a new recipe.

The interdisciplinary structure of EUS—which combines science, history, and economics—has made it possible for Xaver to investigate different areas of study, building his understanding of how environmental issues are connected to every aspect of society. Xaver wants to pursue a career in an environmental field where he can incorporate his study of economics. “Economics has the potential to motivate people to act sustainably by making choices that are not only good for society but also good for the individual … the current economic paradigm is not sustainable or just. By studying economics, I can contribute to a branch of economics that isn’t negligent of the environment.”

Xaver was the Heinrich Bluecher Scholar at Bard in 2017 and 2018. He received the John Bard Scholars Prize in 2018 in the Division of Social Studies; the award is given annually by the faculty to not more than two students in each division for outstanding academic achievement in their major.

With thanks to Bard Impacts

×

Hannah Baird

Once on campus, Hannah was struck by other differences from Homer. “My freshman roommates were from Los Angeles and Yonkers, so the culture is very different from what I’m used to.” Hannah found building relationships with people of varied backgrounds and perspectives to be one of the most rewarding parts of being on campus. “I haven’t met a single person here who wasn’t incredibly interesting. That surprised me. There’s always an opportunity to have a fascinating conversation.”

Hannah chose to double major in Music and Environmental and Urban Studies, supplementing her work in the classroom with research in the field. After her sophomore year, she did a five-week study abroad program in New Zealand learning about regional ecosystems and environmental policy. She toured around North Island studying kiwi populations and island biogeography.

Hannah was drawn back home for her Senior Project: she is studying the potential to use environmental DNA (eDNA) to identify anadromous waters in Alaska. Anadromous species like salmon hatch in freshwater, migrate to salt water for their adult life, and then return to freshwater to reproduce. Over the summer she went back to Homer to carry out research. She sampled for the presence of salmon eDNA in untested waters to see if she could potentially add those waters to the protected waters of Alaska. eDNA is a new and potentially very useful noninvasive conservation method to quickly and efficiently locate elusive species.

Hannah performed the first senior concert for her Music major last semester, called Did I Sing Too Loud?, which explored the restrictions placed on women in music. Her second senior concert this semester, Tell the Wolves I’m Home, delves into both the role of nature symbolism and the “wild woman” female antagonist in art song and opera.

In addition to studying voice in the Music Program, Hannah sings with the student a cappella group, the Orcapelicans. They meet three times a week and students have the freedom to bring any kind of arrangements they want. “I can go and relax with a bunch of people who love music just as much as I do.” Hannah has also played lacrosse and hockey her entire time at Bard. “Coach Scardillo has changed around the women’s lacrosse program and given us an incredible team that’s really fun to be a part of. We’re very much a family.” Hockey is a club sport and Hannah is the only woman on a team consisting of students, staff, and faculty members. Her freshman year they won the title competing against other teams in the Hudson Valley.

For Hannah, the most rewarding thing about Bard has been being able to combine her interests. “Bard is not a place that pigeonholes you,” she says. “Especially with an interdivisional program like EUS, I’ve been able to take the kind of history classes I want to, plus courses in science and sociology. At the same time, I’m also able to do all the sports I want and all the extracurriculars.” Looking forward, Hannah plans to go to graduate school for conservation biology and continue her salmon research.

×

Sarah Wallock

Sarah spent this past semester studying at the Bard Globalization and International Affairs (BGIA) Program in New York City. She sought more experiential learning, and the opportunity to combine her interest in media and public relations with her experience in international environmental issues.

While at BGIA, Sarah was a research and development intern at Found Object, a nonprofit that story-shares through engaging media and projects. She ran a social media campaign on a series of 10 short videos that Found Object produced for VF Corporation, the company that owns Vans, Timberlands, and the North Face. She promoted the videos across platforms to highlight the sustainable principles that VF Corporation uses in factories in Bangladesh, the Dominican Republic, Kenya, and Nicaragua. 

With thanks to the Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program