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Students' Research Published
Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010
Research on a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory conducted by three Westminster College students and their adviser was recently published in the online newsletter PA Environment Digest.
Recent graduates Michael Gess and William "Fred" Romeo and senior Cassandra Treshok conducted the inventory during the 2009-2010 academic year based on data from the 2008-2009 operating year. The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Helen Boylan, Westminster associate professor of chemistry.
The Westminster research focused on gathering information from numerous sources on campus. The resulting data was compiled, processed, and analyzed for direct emissions, secondary emissions, and travel emissions.
A greenhouse gas is an atmospheric gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation produced by solar warming of the earth's surface.
The newsletter concluded: "Overall, the completion of Westminster College's first GHG inventory was a huge success. Westminster ranks well against other schools similar in size and location and is the only school in the Presidents' Athletic Conference to voluntarily complete a GHG inventory to date. This research can serve as a model for other schools working on a GHG inventory."
Gess, Romeo, and Treshok were recognized in December for best oral presentation of their research at the Student Symposium on the Environment co-sponsored by Westminster and the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition.
Gess, a 2010 graduate who majored in communication studies, is a son of Dennis and Michelle Gess of Harrison City and a graduate of Penn-Trafford High School.
Romeo, a Dec. 2009 graduate who majored in environmental science, is a son of Frederick and Kim Romeo of Lowellville, Ohio, and a graduate of Poland Seminary High School.
Treshok, a senior psychology-human resources major, is a daughter of Anthony and Karen Treshok of Sarver and a graduate of Freeport Area High School.
Contact Boylan at (724) 946-6293 or e-mail boylanhm@westminster.edu for additional information. To read the article, visit http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=16267&SubjectID=&SearchWord=westminster.
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