Press Release
The Hulbert Center for Southwest Studies announces 2009 research fellowship awards
The Hulbert Center for Southwest Studies has awarded three 2009 SWS Summer Research Fellowships to Joseph (Joey) Glick '11 of Pittsburgh, PA, Kelsey Speaks '12 of La Veta, CO and Sarah Rice '11 of Albuquerque, NM. This year there were eleven applicants representing some of Colorado College's finest students with excellent academic achievement, community experience and commitment to CC's core values.
Standing (right to left) Linda Evers, Kelsey Speaks, Joey Glick, Liz Lucero. Sitting: Halley Brunsteter (08 RRI Alum and Trainer) and Sarah Rice.
Each Year, SWS provides research services to community groups involved in Community Based Participatory Research projects in the Southwest. This year, the SWS Research Fellowship Program will again provide the services of research fellows (along with support from selected CC faculty) to Post '71 Committee of Uranium Workers, headquartered in Grants, NM. In 2007-2008,Post '71 developed and adminis-tered a survey to former uranium workers about occupational safety and health issues and the impacts on their families. The 2008 SWS Research Fellows entered and analyzed information from the survey.
The 2009 Fellows will continue that work in Grants, NM from the June 1 to August 7, 2009. "Colorado College students have been a godsend to Post '71," said Vice President Linda Evers. "They made the survey do what it was supposed to do in helping us get numbers that make sense to politicians."
Post '71 has a national membership of approximately 1500 former uranium workers (most residing in New Mexico) who seek improved research on adverse health conditions caused by occupational exposure to uranium, compensation for uranium-related medical conditions and improved enforcement of mining and milling safety regulations.
Recently the three research fellows visited Grants, NM to meet with Post '71 leaders who asked them why they wanted to get involved with the project. "My grandfather was an ore hauler and last November he died from diseases related to uranium exposure" said Kelsey Speaks. "This is personal for me." Albuquerque resident Sarah Rice commented "these problems are going on in my own backyard and I want to know more. I'm interested in Environmental Law and besides helping, the experience will be very valuable." Joey Glick talked about how his grandmother had been given drugs for reproductive problems which resulted in adverse affects on her and his mother. "This might be a different issue…but the result is the same. I'm interested in Medical Anthropology and in finding ways to impact environmental policy."
SWS Regional Research Initiative
SWS Regional Research Initiative was founded by the Hulbert Center of Southwest Studies in 2005 and has placed 13 students (including the 2009 fellows) in 6 communities in New Mexico. Their research services have provided the data to community groups on sustainable agriculture, water rights, conservation easements, and various environmental justice issues. The project was initiated because of "the massive economic, environmental and cultural changes which the Southwest is now undergoing" said Maria Varela, coordinator of the project. "The survival of its nearly forty different Native American tribes, indigenous immigrant and Latino groups, and others residents depends on the ability of affected communities to implement their own responses to these changes."
"For Southwest Studies," said Anne Hyde, Director of the Hulbert Center, "this project enables us to make a contribution within our academic competence that will strengthen the diversity of the region while enhancing student and faculty learning."