“I love all the reading and being able to discuss literature with a group of engaged and like-minded individuals. My favorite class so far is King Arthur in Literature, Art, and Film.”
– Allison Shufelt 2011 , English Major
It's not just about the classroom.
Keene State encourages students and faculty to transform classroom theory into real world practice. This takes many forms, including academic service learning, funded research, participation in the annual Academic Excellence conference, internships, performances, travel to professional conferences, and many other opportunities.
Here are a few examples from the most recent academic year:
In the spring, chemistry students competed for campus-funded Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF). Five top chemistry students were chosen to work in close partnership with faculty members during the eight-week program. Students completed research projects ranging from crystal X-ray analysis of pharmaceutically significant molecules to investigation of lichens as bioindicators of environmental change. Two students published papers in peer-reviewed academic journals, a rare accomplishment for undergraduates at any college.
Working with community partners, architecture students in the Communicorps class designed transitional housing for prisoners released from the county jail. The housing will provide shelter, space for training and counseling, and breathing space for reentry to the community. KSC students designed a two-story apartment building with six two-bedroom units, public space on the first floor, and landscaped grounds.
Drama students won the 2009 Moss Hart Memorial Award for their lively production of Thornton Wilder’s play The Matchmaker, and more top commendations from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Keene State’s was one of five New England productions selected from 116 adjudicated for the festival.
