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FSC students participate in 
Lake Hollingsworth restoration

LAKELAND, Fla. (Feb. 3, 2003) - Eleven Florida Southern students are participating with the City of Lakeland on wetland restoration work at Lake Hollingsworth. The students are conducting preliminary tests to establish a baseline study on Anchor Park, also called "The Sump," across from the college campus. In May, the city plans to dredge the area and create wetlands that will filter pollution from stormwater runoff draining into the lake. 

Dr. John R. Haldeman, professor of biology, created the directed study course Biological Survey Methods to allow students to participate in the wetland restoration process from the planning stage through completion. The course also gives students the opportunity to take part in a project of importance to the Lakeland community. "These are really 11 of the best students on campus," Haldeman said. "They all have an expertise, they've trained three to four years at FSC, and they are now putting their skills to use in the community." 

The recreated wetland will also become a park with boardwalks and informational displays on the plants and wildlife situated there. "It will be very aesthetic and pleasing," said Haldeman. "The whole area will be the focal point of the lake."

Haldeman's course concentrates on developing an environmental impact statement from data collected by the students on water quality, soil composition, and surveys of vegetation and wildlife. The students have their own assigned tasks, but all participate in every aspect of the project and are graded by their peers for their efforts as a team. 

"There is a tremendous amount of information that has never been consolidated into one place," says Haldeman. "The idea has been that this will be a baseline for ongoing studies for years to come." 

The city will pay for the restoration work on the lake but not the surveys. FSC is seeking grant support while currently funding the students' project independently by providing the classroom space, equipment, and faculty expertise. "I'd like the community to know that we are doing research, that the students are putting their skills to work," Haldeman said. 

Listed below are students participating in this project. All are biology majors planning careers in professional environmental work or heading to veterinary and medical schools. 

Kelly Aurich, the project's water analyst, is a senior. She is the daughter of Robert and Roberta Aurich of Lakeland, Fla. 

Joshua Berman, a sophomore, is documenting the project work for use in public presentations. He is the son of Glennalee Berman and step-father John Hatch of London, Ontario. 

Allison Greenstein is a junior working on water analysis. She is the daughter of Robert and Linda Greenstein of Vero Beach, Fla. 

Christine Higbie, a senior who plans to go to veterinary school, is handling the faunal surveys. She is the daughter of Steven Higbie and Karen Sheehan of West Islip, N.Y. 

Kendra Holland is a senior handling vegetation and soils analyses. She is the daughter of Mark and Jan Holland of Milbank, S.D. 

Andrea Kucharik, a junior, is collection manager. She is the daughter of Charles and Patty Kucharik of Wyoming, Del. 

Vincent Paolillo, also heading for veterinary school, is a senior. He shares duties with Higbie on the faunal surveys. He is the son of Regina and Vincent Paolillo, Sr. of Lakeland, Fla. 

Jennifer Rudock, a senior, is archives manager. She is the daughter of Robert and Linda Rudock of Lake Worth, Fla.

Jessica Scott, a senior, is Geographic Information Systems analyst. She is the daughter of Ronald Scott and Nancy Scott of South River, N.J. 

Stephanie Shermeta, a senior, is in charge of the environmental impact statement. She is the daughter of Robert and Candace Shermeta of Largo, Fla.

Michelle Sims is a senior working as the microbial ecologist. She is the daughter of Walter Sims and Brenda Sims of Lake Wales, Fla.

About Florida Southern College
Florida Southern is a four-year, private, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and a master of business administration degree accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in Lakeland, Fla., the college is home to the largest, single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. 

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