Westminster College environmental science major Avery Keenan from Cranberry, Pa., recently demonstrated how a student-led beekeeping initiative is creating buzz beyond campus at the Undergraduate Research at the Capitol Pennsylvania (URC-PA) poster conference in Harrisburg. 

Keenan, a senior, has been involved with the Westminster Bee Company since his freshman year and values the program’s interdisciplinary nature, which makes it accessible to students across campus in a variety of unique ways. 

“It was an honor to show legislators what is happening with the Westminster Bee Company and where we are going with the program in the future,” said Keenan. “The research that I presented focused on what the Westminster Bee Company does for the campus and how it operates as an interdisciplinary program.” 

Keenan's presentation, “Innovations through the Westminster Bee Company,” was well received at the conference and attendees were given a chance to sample the honey.  

Established in 2022, the Westminster Bee Company attracts students from all majors through courses such as Apiary Management, BuzzFeed, a class focused on social media marketing and environmental entrepreneurship. The on-campus apiary produces sustainable, natural, local honey and bee products for the campus and public to learn from and purchase. The program gives students a hands-on approach to learning about the environment and running a business.  

Dr. Helen Boylan, professor of environmental science, served as Keenan’s research adviser.  

“Avery did a great job representing Westminster College,” said Boylan. “Many people— including legislative staffers, Capitol visitors, and students and faculty from other institutions—were interested in learning about the unique opportunities Avery has had with the apiary and the Westminster Bee Company. The honey samples were also a hit.” 

In addition to presenting his research, Keenan had opportunities to network with legislators and environmental professionals. 

“At the event I had the chance to step away from my poster and speak with legislators from my district, allowing me to network and put my name out there for possible post-graduation career paths. I made valuable connections through conversations with different company representatives who work in the environmental field,” said Keenan.  

In his spare time, Keenan works at the Westminster College Field Station, a 46-acre outdoor laboratory and recreation area within walking distance of campus. Keenan’s long-term goal is to work for an environmental consulting company in Pittsburgh. 

Keenan received a grant from the Westminster’s Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research to attend the conference. The Drinko Center financially supports undergraduate research through various grants aimed at either the undertaking of research and creative projects at Westminster College or the external presentation and dissemination of research and creative works at conferences. 

For more information on the Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research, contact director Dr. Patrick Lackey at ugresearch@westminster.edu. 

For more information on Westminster’s Bee Company, visit Westminster Bee Company. 
 

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By  Kristen Aleprete 
Kristen Aleprete is a staff writer in Westminster College’s Office of Marketing and Communication. 

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