New members of the Board
Science is more than academic for Academy student In October 2007, the fires that devastated Southern California began to affect the family of a Scripps College Academy high school student in Professor Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert’s Saturday science class. When the student learned the family’s water supply was in question, she applied what she’d learned in class about different types of bacteria to analyze her home’s water supply. She discovered both the water inside and outside the house were contaminated with the bacteria E. coli. Her parents immediately bought a water filtration unit. The enterprising student was one of several participants this year in the Science Scholars program of Scripps College Academy, formerly Scripps College Summer Academy. Since 2003, the Academy has provided young women from racially diverse and underserved areas the opportunity to experience a private liberal arts education during two weeks in the summer. This fall, the Academy expanded to provide summer program participants with year-round access to resources they need to continue to succeed in high school and apply to colleges. Practical application of their new knowledge—as experienced by the science student—is a welcome bonus. In addition to the Science Scholars program, activities include college application and financial aid workshops for high school seniors; a SAT preparation course; tutoring and mentoring services; workshops and sessions with Scripps professors; regular book club meetings with Professor Melissa Coburn; writing workshops conducted by Professor Glenn Simshaw; lectures on language, politics, and economy by Professor Tony Crowley and Nancy Neiman Auerbach; and various field trips. n
In January 2008, two new members joined the Board of Trustees.
She Gives Activism New Meaning
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hen people think of student activism, they often envision heated discussions and sit-ins protesting the administration. For senior Ashley Peters, student activism has a different meaning. Peters’ mission is to work for change and social justice within the College. However, rather than fighting the system, she and the rest of the Scripps Associated Students (SAS) executive board work directly with administrators to effect the change they believe is necessary. Peters’ main focus has been socioeconomic differences among students at the College, and it is something she continues to address. The issue first came to her attention in September, when a first-year student approached Peters and told her she could not afford to buy the $150 Core I reader. When SAS sent out a survey, several of the 230 students who responded said they were choosing classes based on book cost. Peters and the rest of SAS have since had conversations with College senior administrators to see what can be done to alleviate the problem. One solution is to establish an endowed fund specifically designed to help students from lower and middle classes purchase books they cannot afford. Over winter break, Peters and SAS Vice Chair Fatima Elkabti ’09 compiled a report on the “Hidden Costs of Scripps,” which they presented to SAS in January and will present to the Board of Trustees in March. Peters considers the report to be the culmination of her presidential term—in March, a newly elected student body president will take over. Peters says her term has been a positive one, but with its own set of pressures. Her role as the first black president has been intriguing and exciting, but, above all, it is always on her mind. There is a fear of failure that comes with the role, but Peters credits current black students as well as black alumnae, friends, fellow SAS members, and family—with whom she speaks every day—with helping to keep her grounded. “I don’t lead alone,” she said. n
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Susan K. Kurisu P’10 received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii in 1976, majoring in human development and fashion design. She and her husband, Duane K. Kurisu, along with their children Robert (CMC ’08), and Sarah ’10, reside in Honolulu. Professionally, Kurisu has held positions in real estate, most notably as a project manager for Hasegawa Komuten Ltd. and as a real estate development consultant with Charles Pankow Builders. She has served in key volunteer leadership positions at the Punahou School in Hawaii and at the American Red Cross. The second new member of the Board is Kathryn Hood Pluhar ’66. Pluhar received her bachelor’s degree in art history, and since graduation, she has devoted both her time and her resources to the College. Her daughter, Jennifer, is a 1994 alumna. Pluhar is keenly interested in and committed to women’s education and has been a generous supporter of educational programs that emphasize women’s leadership. She and her husband are residents of Minnesota and Florida. A respected volunteer in a wide range of community and church organizations, Pluhar brings extensive knowledge of non-profit governing boards to her role as a Scripps trustee.
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