Veronica Geretz, a senior psychology and philosophy major, received an undergraduate research grant from Westminster's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Geretz is a daughter of Mary Geretz and Michael Geretz, both of Norwalk, Ohio, and a graduate of Saint Paul High School.

Geretz' "Girls' Club Photography Camp" is a continuation of a service-learning project that began in an Introduction to Peace Studies class last fall. The project is an afterschool enrichment program for middle and high school students that enables them to express themselves through photography and writing.

"With the support of the Drinko Center, we were able to purchase digital cameras for a group of Farrell middle school students to use to put together personal life histories," said Dr. Sherri Pataki, Westminster assistant professor of psychology and Geretz' faculty adviser. "They really enjoyed the opportunity to document their lives and to work closely with Westminster students, who served as mentors. This semester, Veronica is implementing the same program with a group of students from the New Castle area. She is hoping to bring students from both programs to campus this spring to showcase their work."

"As a professor, it is always rewarding to see Westminster students reach out to our local community, especially when they choose to continue a service-learning project we started in class," Pataki added.

The Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was created to enrich undergraduate education at Westminster through advancing world-class teaching as well as by participating in collaborations that address community and regional needs including strengthening K-12 education. The Undergraduate Research Initiative provides funding for students to conduct research and to present their research at regional and national conferences.

Contact Pataki at (724) 946-7361 or e-mail patakisp@westminster.edu for more information.

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