LIFE FEST 2002

From sights that included an art exhibit and a wireless computer network, to the sounds of an11-piece Caribbean steel drum band, LIFE Fest 2002 showcased the diversity of talent and interests among a select group of first-year students at UD.

More than 300 students, faculty and guests attended the LIFE (Learning Integrated Freshman Experience) celebration held Dec. 12, in Clayton Hall. For the 207 freshmen from the 22 LIFE cluster groups, the event was a chance to share and showcase end-of-semester cooperative projects.

The event also afforded participants a chance to reflect on their experiences as part of the LIFE program.

LIFE provides first-year students with similar academic interests an opportunity to work as part of a small learning community, or cluster. Students in a cluster take thematically related introductory courses including UNIV 101, a one-credit "First Year Experience" seminar.

LIFE Fest capped a fall semester where students in cluster groups worked on projects ranging from self-initiated random acts of kindness to volunteering with charitable organizations.

Participating groups included "Animals, Science and Society," "Economics and the Environment," "Community and the Individual" (Americorps), "Community & the Individual" (Non-Americorps), "Fundamentals of Economic Systems," "For the Health of It" and "Visual Style."

Other groups included "Computer Security," "Biology & Medical Frontiers," "The American Experiment," "American Race Relations," "Introduction to Hospitality Technology," "Development and Learning," "Ideas in Psychology," "Leadership and Decision Making" and "Women and Globilization."

Peer mentor Stacy Krise, a sophomore in the Honors Program and a former LIFE freshman, recalled how this experience made her entry into the social and academic world of campus life less intimidating and more rewarding.

"LIFE programming was the biggest component in acclimatizing myself to UD life," Krise said. "It is so much more than just talking to friends. In the cluster, I became close with others and formed a support system."

Peer mentors are students who have completed their first year, have a major that is related to the cluster they serve and have chosen to apply for the position because they like working with people.

Mentors are trained by an interdisciplinary group of professionals and faculty from the Office of Undergraduate Studies, Residence Life, Center for Teaching Effectiveness, Academic Services Center and Academic Programs and Planning.

ISLAND SONGS AND STUDENT FASHION

Playing in its first public concert, the Caribbean steel drums cluster group, with the help of peer mentor Nicole Monte, a senior music education major, and faculty contact Harvey Price, assistant professor of music, offered songs with an international flavor, ranging from "Orpheus" (Brazil) and "Head Over Heels" (Germany) to the Elvis Presley standard "Can't Help Falling In Love."

The "Image and Shape" cluster group marked the occasion with their own special creation, a limited number of brightly decorated LIFE T-shirts that were awarded as door prizes to lucky ticket holders.

Group members and freshman art majors Shannon Michelinie, Keith Modzelewski and Ioanna Philipov teamed up with peer mentor and senior art major Emily Udvardy to transfer the 18 x 24 inch screen design onto the shirt fabric.

"It was a lot of fun, and the best thing is that we got to spend a lot of time together, and we made a lot of friends while we were at it," Udvardy said. "I enjoy seeing LIFE Fest progress and change from one year to the next. With more clusters and students, LIFE Fest really showcased the freshmen's enthusiasm about the program."

Philipov, a native of Cyprus who would like to work in graphic design sculpture after graduation, viewed the T-shirt project as a great chance to get to know the campus and meet new people.

"I didn't know anybody when I came here, and it really helped a lot," Philipov said. "My group members made me feel right at homeit was a great opportunity."

NEW ON THE NET

Meghan Amy Biery, coordinator of the LIFE program, said that while the group cluster projects showcased the artistic, political and social interests of some students, others used it as an opportunity to demonstrate the latest trends in electronic communications.

"Many of our final projects at LIFE Fest involved the use of technology," Biery said. "The wireless network that the 'E-Bricks of the Internet' cluster created was quite impressive, especially in light of the fact that many campuses and business are implementing such systems."

"We built a wireless network with each computer connected to the same broadband access," Paul Pellegrini, a freshman computing engineering major, said. "I found it very helpful, and I learned a lot, especially about experimentation and using resources."

Evan Glien, "E-Bricks of the Internet" peer mentor and senior electrical engineering major, said the project was a learning experience on a personal as well as a professional level.

"It was a good experience, and it allowed me to help these freshmen and to hear from others who are going through the same things that I did," Glien said. "Also, these wireless networks are now being introduced into the home as more and more families are becoming multiple computer users. You are going to see a lot of this sort of thing."

Sarah Maguire, a criminal justice and sociology major whose group, "Women & Globilization," explored the issue of women's shelters around the world, said, "The program is designed to bring people with the same interest and sometimes the same major together. It is easier to build a friendship when you have a common interest."

Martha Carothers, interim faculty director of the Center for Teaching Effectiveness and General Education Initiative, said the diversity of projects highlighted the service-based learning initiatives of the many LIFE cluster groups.

"Self-satisfaction among the students was readily apparent during their spoken and visual presentations at LIFE Fest," Carothers said. "The students significantly contributed to our community through their efforts".

JERRY RHODES