Saint Francis University

Intrepid 
  (2011-2012 Award Winners)

Kevin Kesslak

“Training Canines in a University Setting”

A psychology major, Shannon will use her Intrepid award to investigate the development and implementation of a dog training program on campus. She will visit other schools to learn about their programs. Her final goal is to create a program at Saint Francis that will provide opportunities for students to work with the knowledge of operant conditioning and psychological learning theories, as well as to provide a service to the community.

“Vietnamese Religion and Culture: A Study of the Four Palaces”

A native of Viet Nam, Minh’s Intrepid award will be used to expand her knowledge of her native culture, especially the religious practices of her grandfather. She will travel to various places in Viet Nam, talk to musicians and mediums, and explore the connections between the religious folk traditions of her people and Buddhism. The project will benefit those who want to know more about Vietnamese ethnomusicology.

“New Material on the Cuban Missile Crisis”

As part of his history thesis, Kevin will use his Intrepid award to travel to Boston, Massachusetts, to study the archival materials relating to the Cuban Missile Crisis that are available in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. He will examine the materials, some of which have recently been declassified, to gain a broader understanding of the history surrounding the event that has not been possible until now.