Island Biology
Ohio Wesleyan Students Explore Ecuador, Galapagos Islands During Travel-Learning Course
Name: Caleb Gunn '27
Hometown: Galion, Ohio
High school: Licking Heights High School
Majors: Zoology and Politics & Government
Minor: Chemistry
Name: Ella Neuenschwander '27
Hometown: Wilmington, Ohio
High school: Wilmington High School
Majors: Zoology and Environmental Science
Minors: Chemistry and French
OWU Connection Experience: "Island Biology" (Biology 349), a Travel-Learning Course (TLC) featuring a semester-long class followed by a May 20-June 1 trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands to explore firsthand the concepts studied on campus
In her TLC syllabus, Professor Tami Panhuis explains that Island Biology focuses on "the theory and processes that relate to island biology, emphasizing evolutionary, ecological, and behavioral phenomena … that (have) shaped evolutionary theory and biology since Charles Darwin's first observations."
Along with Gunn and Neuenschwander, Ohio Wesleyan students traveling to Ecuador to explore the cloud forest of Mindo and the Galapagos Islands were Jordyn Adams '27 of Carroll, Ohio; Askill Alida '27 of Seven Mile, Ohio; Claire Coleman '26 of Cincinnati, Ohio; Toni DiLalla '27 of Avon, Ohio; McKenna Downing '26 of Pleasant Hill, Ohio; Abbie Grogan '26 of Louisville, Kentucky; Haden Kirkham '27 of Granville, Ohio; Josie Martin '26 of Circleville, Ohio; Lindsey Mayor '27 of Groveland, Florida; Brittney Parks '27 of Solvay, New York; Sophia Rohr '27 of Akron, Ohio; Ava Swanson '26 of Mansfield, Ohio; Marin Whitsett '27 of Powell, Ohio; Sarah Youngquist '26 of Cary, North Carolina.
They traveled with Panhuis, Ph.D., and Dustin Reichard, Ph.D., both associate professors of Biological Sciences.
Why This Opportunity?
Gunn: "As a Zoology major and someone who wants to go into conservation, being able to visit the place where Darwin first came up with the theory of evolution was an opportunity I could not pass up. Studying island ecosystems throughout the semester makes the trip so much more impactful because you are able to see firsthand the types of phenomena that you have been learning about for 15 weeks."
Neuenschwander: "In pursuit of my degree, I've wanted to have as many different learning experiences as I can get. Honestly, the possibility of being able to take a class that was tied with travel experience was a huge reason that I chose to become a student at Ohio Wesleyan in the first place. A learning opportunity is made so much more valuable when you can realize a whole new level of immersion, and I knew that this would especially be the case with biology-related topics.
"I was particularly passionate about this course, Island Biology, because I would love to work in marine conservation and ecology. I knew that the professors would do an amazing job at leading us to understand familiar topics at far deeper levels, and that, in combination with hands-on experience, this class would remind me exactly how much I love our beautiful and curious planet!"
Favorite Moments
Gunn: "My favorite moment was the impromptu karaoke night that we had on the boat. Every night after dinner, we would have a debrief and talk about what we were going to do the next day. Afterward, many of us would head to bed. This night, the manager of hospitality on the boat proceeded to start a party and get us to dance and do karaoke. They brought out a light-up disco ball, and some of us took turns singing. It was an amazing night, and I feel like it helped bring us together as a group."
Neuenschwander: "My favorite moment of the trip was the very last snorkel that we did around Champion Islet, which is off the coast of Floreana, one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos. I loved every snorkel that we did; however, this one had a far different feeling to it than the others. I knew it would be my last, so I really made an effort to take absolutely everything in and be a part of the environment in the moment.
"From the start, we were swimming among schools of fish all around us, and it was beyond magical to feel a part of the water and the earth in such a way. Toward the end of the snorkel, there was a small group of Galapagos Sea Lion pups that played with us, and I had so much fun diving under the water while blowing bubbles and spinning in torpedoes to interact with them. They would get within inches of us, and I'll never be able to forget how special that feeling is."
Lessons Learned
Gunn: "One of the topics we talked about throughout the semester was island conservation. While in the Galapagos, you understand firsthand why these ecosystems need to be conserved. The rich biodiversity is unlike anywhere else in the world. My only hope is that those I talk to about my time in Ecuador gain a bit more love for these delicate ecosystems. Learning about conservation through an island lens will also make me more well-rounded as I go into the field of conservation biology.
"Travel experiences like TLCs matter because no matter how much people learn in class, it will always be different when you see it firsthand. I have been lucky enough to now have gone on three TLCs, and each time I am baffled at my experiences. In the Galapagos, I knew that the animals wouldn't be afraid of me because tameness is an island syndrome of animals that we had learned about; nevertheless, I was still shocked at how unafraid the animals were of us. They would often approach us and also would not move as we got closer to them."
(As part of the OWU Connection, Gunn also has traveled to Europe to explore the "Literary and Religious Narratives of British Muslims" and to Turkey to study "Medieval Islamic Societies.")
Neuenschwander: "Surprisingly, one of my biggest takeaways from this experience isn't about cool birds, plants, or fish, but actually about people. This was my first time experiencing travel among a group with such shared interests and passions, and my peers truly taught me so much.
"Working in conservation can be very difficult at times, and it really takes an effort to hold on to hope and see all of the positives of certain situations. Being with other students in a place that purposely teaches the merits and necessities of conservation and seeing so vividly what our world could look like with our own efforts really invigorated me and reminded me exactly why I want to keep fighting.
"There are so many things that people can do to bring good to this world, and throughout the entirety of this experience, my peers helped me realize just how much hope I can have!"
Campus Involvement
Gunn: "I am a part of Model UN, Incredible Film Club, Theatre, and the SEAL SLU!" [The Service, Engagement, and Leadership (SEAL) House is one of OWU's small-living units, which allow students with similar interests to live together and create educational projects to share with the campus community.]
Neuenschwander: "I'm entering my third year living in an on-campus SLU called Tree House, which puts a lot of emphasis into living sustainably and partaking in efforts to give back to the world. I'm also the founder and president of a fiber arts club, In The Loop, as well as the co-president of the Food Recovery Network chapter at OWU!"
When I looked at OWU, I knew immediately that if I attended, I would be able to travel the world.
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
Gunn: "When I was looking into colleges, the thing that mattered the most to me was the chance to travel abroad. When I looked at OWU, I knew immediately that if I attended, I would be able to travel the world."
Neuenschwander: "The overall vibe of the school really convinced me to stay. I knew I wanted a smaller school because there would be more personal interactions throughout my course load, and the environment of the campus and faculty was very welcoming. I specifically looked for universities offering good Zoology programs, which OWU is very highly accredited for, and I also knew that I would want to travel and study abroad, which OWU offers a great program for."
Plans After Graduation
Gunn: "I plan to go to grad school and get my Master's in Conservation Biology. OWU has prepared me by making me very well-rounded. I have taken multiple courses related to my future field (like Biology 349!) as well as many outside of my field. Going to a liberal arts college like OWU allowed me to take courses I usually would not take. This is actually how I ended up deciding to do a second major in PG!"
Neuenschwander: "What a question! For a while, I've considered pursuing graduate-level education in marine biology/ecology. I really enjoy working in the field, but I also love lab work, so I can imagine that a life of research would suit me well. However, it's really daunting to supposedly plan out my whole future right now, and I've also recently been considering trying to jump right in to conservation work after graduating!"