Caitlin McGee '10, classics major from Nashua, N.H, will conduct archeological research in Italy this summer with a $3,500 stipend she won through Saint Anselm’s Undergraduate Research Scholar Program.
“Classics is my passion,” said McGee, who will return to the college’s Coriglia excavation site, about 150 miles northwest of Rome, for the third consecutive summer. Her study will include a mix of archaeological field work and trips to museums to gather information. She intends mainly to catalog the inventory of common-ware from the Corliglia excavation and study the transformation in the style of Etruscan pottery and Roman common-ware. Common-ware refers to quickly and cheaply made ceramics used mainly for cooking and serving food.
“I’ve been to the dig for the past two years. I’m interested to get to the point where I not only understand, but to theorize what we are going to find next,” said McGee.
Professor David George, classics department, will serve as her Saint Anselm College faculty mentor, while Dr. Claudio Bizzarri, faculty of science and archaeology at the University of Camerino, will provide additional guidance in Italy.
Next fall, McGee will present her research to the college. After graduation she would like to pursue archaeology at the graduate level and eventually become a professor. McGee believes this summer’s opportunity will give her a competitive edge in graduate school admissions. “I am very honored to have been chosen and I’m excited to start my research,” she said.
McGee is also active around campus. She is a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma, president of the Classics Society, soprano in the choir, and a Resident Assistant.
Classics professors George, Linda Rulman, and Matthew Gonzales will accompany 15 to 20 students to Coriglia for a five-week excavation this summer. Saint Anselm students will join students from other colleges and universities to learn the archeological method and absorb Italy’s rich culture.
The URSP seeks to promote scholarly undergraduate research, inter-institutional mentoring, and increase the number of successful admissions to graduate school for students attending a small, four-year liberal arts college.