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MERCERSBURG MAGAZINE FALL 2015
continued from page 5 “I hope they discover a love of making things,” says Holzwarth, who adds that students will garner a basic understanding of electronics and how they’re powered, learn about electronic circuits, and be able to answer those nagging questions—such as, for example, the purpose of that little green light on their TVs. Maker’s Lab students are also using C++ code to gain an understanding of small-board computing and to automate tasks like using an app to control and operate household electronics. “I want them to get inside that stuff and understand it,” Holzwarth says. The sculpture room is hosting two rotations of the Maker’s Lab class, with a total of more than 20 students enrolled. The space will also continue to be used for faculty member/arts department head Wells Gray’s Sculpture I course. “Not only are students consuming information, but they’re producing, and that’s the important thing,” Holzwarth says. “It gives kids a sense of production instead of consumption.” Emily Howley, director of Springboard and a history faculty member, envisions that the STEAM Plant will eventually open its doors to anyone in the Mercersburg community. “As the space grows and
develops, we hope that it will be used in all sorts of creative ways,” she says. Other Springboard courses offered in 2015–2016 are 3D Design, Applied Economics: Entrepreneurship, and Global Food Chain (all of which were offered in each of the past two years), as well as four more new courses: Rapid Application Design, Imagining 21st Century Theatrical Performance, Education Across Borders, and Parallel Histories. Springboard has also added a physical headquarters this year, following renovations to the Sheridan Gallery in Irvine Hall. The space includes collaborative workspace and offers a place for Springboard students to
meet with their mentors and fellow students; it was designed by Treva Ghattas ’90. “When we were thinking about how the space would come together, we wanted it to be flexible, clean, and bright,” says Howley. “My hope for the space is that it is used by Springboard students and teachers for collaboration, individual work, meeting with mentors, or even learning a new skill or craft.” The Springboard space continues to serve as a gallery for student and professional art. Pieces by William Clutz ’51 and speed painter Erik Wahl (who delivered the 2014 Jacobs Residency Lecture) are currently hanging in the gallery.
Last spring, Springboard students Kathryn Dillard ’15 and Gabby Hovenden ’15 designed and created prototypes for their own line of handbags as part of their 3D Design coursework.
The New Faculty Class Mercersburg’s 14 new faculty members in 2015– 2016 are (front row, L–R) Michael O’Keefe (English), Shelley Akers (English), Rachel Mallory (college counseling), Hope McGrath (dormitory dean), Doonie Brewer (English); (second row) John Henry Reilly ’10 (science), Cally Conklin (dormitory dean), Austin Curwen (college counseling/history), Zach Swope (admission), Kelly Dowling (fine arts); (third row) John Chepren (information technology), Will Whitmore (school minister/history), Brian O’Rourke (mathematics), Sean Crocker (mathematics).