Rebecca Rhodes Participates in Environmental Study with HSU Honors Program

2012 Mar 5

When Rebecca Rhodes of Grand Prairie, Texas, came to Hardin-Simmons University to participate in the Honors Program, she had no idea she would be studying ecosystems in the Guadalupe Mountains and visiting what is known to be one of the most beautiful places in Texas.

Rhodes and 24 other students in the Discourse in Science and Math honors class left just before sun-up on March 1, 2012, to explore the far reaches of West Texas where it touches New Mexico at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Dr. Mark Ouimette, professor of geology and director of the Environmental Sciences Program, and Dr. Rick Hammer, associate professor of biology, co-teach the class, which allows students to study natural history in real settings.

Hammer says the students will review some of the lessons learned during a recent visual experiment with string. Two weeks ago, students did a little prepping for the trip. Standing in a circle on the front lawn of Sid Richardson Science Center, Hammer used bits of string to connect students representing different parts of the ecosystem.

Ouimette says they will use headlamps during a visit in a primitive cave in Slaughter Canyon, a tour led by national park rangers and volunteers. Ouimette says the rangers also instruct the students on safety regarding cave exploration and dangers presented by area wildlife.

Hammer says students are also seeing one of the places lauded as one of the most beautiful in Texas, McKittrick Canyon, and visiting Carlsbad Caverns through its natural entrance. "One of the things we continue to discuss on a trip like this is outdoor ethics and how to practice having a low impact on our environment," says Hammer.

Only 80 students can participate in the honors minor in interdisciplinary studies at HSU, which allows students to participate in areas of study that offer intriguing information outside of their major field. Honors students get a hefty scholarship, and three students are chosen to receive the Leland full-tuition scholarship each fall semester.

About Hardin-Simmons:

HSU has an enrollment of approximately 2,300 undergrad and graduate students from 29 states and 19 countries. HSU has a 13:1 student faculty ratio with a campus that sits on 209 acres. Seventy-nine percent of HSU's faculty members hold the highest degree in their field.

The university is named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best universities in the western region of the United States and is listed by The Princeton Review as a Top Ten Best in the West University. It is a member of the Colleges of Distinction, and the Chronicle of Higher Education named HSU to its honor roll as a "Great College to Work For.

Seven undergraduate degrees encompass 70 major fields including: athletic training, criminal justice, social work, counseling, psychology, molecular biology, biochemistry, environmental science, religion, music, art, teaching, history, communications, English, and sociology.

Ten graduate degrees include the Doctor of Ministry and the Doctor of Physical Therapy.

International study programs include England, Austria, Hong Kong, Spain, and Australia.

Hardin-Simmons University, founded in 1891, is a private Christian institution, and has been affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (Texas Baptists) since 1941.