- Class of 2012
- Cortland, NY
Elizabeth Martin Publishes Article in Academic Encyclopedia
2011 Feb 24
Students at Cazenovia College have opportunities not available to those at larger institutions. For a number of years John Robert Greene, Ph.D, the Paul J. Schupf professor of history and humanities, has given students in his classes the opportunity to write articles for Facts on File, a publisher of reference materials in core subject areas for schools and libraries.
Dr. Greene's most recent book, Presidential Profiles: The George W. Bush Years, includes entries researched and written by his students. Greene says, "Books like these are a great vehicle for a young writer – they offer the opportunity to produce short, factual encyclopedia pieces. Now these students and alumni are published authors."
Elizabeth Martin, of Cortland, N.Y., a graduate of Homer Senior High School, Homer, N.Y. is a junior, majoring in inclusive elementary education at Cazenovia College. Martin, who is a member of the College's Western Equestrian Team, said, "I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. My article was sent back to me numerous times and I had to dig for even more information. I was challenged in new ways and was able to successfully utilize my resources."
Greene selects competent writers who are treated as any other contributor would be, entering into agreements to work as a research assistants, and writing their articles within strict guidelines for the format of the book.
Social Sciences major Amy Olin said, "I felt a huge responsibility to make sure the information was thorough and correct." She says she had a difficult time cutting the word count to the required length, but she was "pleased that the editors had no major issues" with her work.
She echoes the other writers, saying, "It's a good feeling to know that something that I researched, organized, and wrote is out there for everyone to see. I could not have asked for a more gratifying experience and, it doesn't look bad on a resume either."
Greene noted that he has spoken to several recipients of student writer's resumes who were surprised that undergraduate students were published authors. "This kind of opportunity is usually the province of graduate students," he says. "These undergrads were doing what professionals in their fields do. This is possible because of Cazenovia's small class sizes – I can get to know the students and their work, something you can't do in a class of 300 students."
In past years, student authors were invited to contribute to Greene's other Presidential Profiles encyclopedias for Facts on File: The George H.W. Bush Years (2005), and The Nixon-Ford Years (2006). These, and The George W. Bush Years, are available in many libraries and bookstores, and through Internet booksellers such as Amazon.com.
Photo: Some of the Cazenovia College student authors are (left to right, seated): Brittnie Chidsey; Jordan Reed; Liz Martin; Amy Olin; Anne Ritsick-Fox; Emma Voigt; Angela Sullivan; Kasey Sikorsky; Breanna Staffon; and Marisa Shea. Standing: Dr. John Robert Greene, Paul J. Schupf Professor of History and Humanities. Photo by John Seiter.
Cazenovia College, named one of "America's Best Colleges" by US News & World Report, is an independent, co-educational, baccalaureate college, located near Syracuse, N.Y. Cazenovia, selected as a College of Distinction by www.collegesofdistinction.com, offers a comprehensive liberal arts education in an exceptional community environment, with academic and co-curricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their professional fields. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu.