By Laurie D. Morrissey

"Never let formal education get in the way of your learning."

If by those words, Mark Twain meant that valuable knowledge is not gained only from books and tests, many Saint Anselm College students are in full agreement. They're finding that the answers to some of their questions aren't in books, but are theirs to discover…or at least pursue…in the laboratory and in the field.

Many Saint Anselm students do advanced work in the form of directed research, independent research, and honors theses. In the process, they enhance their skills and get a sneak peek at academic life beyond Saint Anselm—helping them make important decisions about graduate school. It can also mean a leg up in the job market. "These projects are like blinking lights when students go for employment," says Father Peter Guerin, O.S.B., who served 25 years as academic dean of the college.

But their work has larger significance as well. What these students have in common is curiosity: exactly how does the brain work? Why do people get diseases? How does human activity affect the health of the planet? And as their curiosity drives their quest for knowledge, they make small but important contributions to improvements in health, the environment, and society.

Directed Research: Wood Turtle Vocalization
Bill Zawatski '03 (Biology), Justin Cook '03 (Environmental Science), Kristen MacDonald '03 (Environmental Science), Andrea Tortolano '03 (Biology), Erin Kelly '02 (Environmental
Science), Amanda DesRoberts '02 (Environmental Science): Ah, the sounds of nature: birds calling, turtles talking away… well, maybe you won't hear the turtles, but that doesn't mean they're not making any noise. Saint Anselm researchers have not only been listening to the faint voice of the wood turtle, but also recording it and working to discover when, how, and why these not-so-silent reptiles give voice.

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