Westminster College junior broadcast communications major Matthew Pereslucha received an undergraduate research grant from Westminster's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Pereslucha's project, "Let Go and Let God," is for his broadcast communications capstone.  He will document a six-day mission trip by a 16-member team from New Life Baptist Church in New Wilmington to Savanna-La Mar, Jamaica, where they will conduct a Vacation Bible School for young children at a church in an impoverished area.

"I will be documenting the struggles we face and the joy we experience from the moment we land in Jamaica until we leave," Pereslucha said.  "I want the documentary to highlight the best qualities of Christianity in action and showcase the ‘real' Jamaica that you don't always see in the brochures."

The project is conducted under the supervision of Bradley Weaver, Westminster broadcast communications lecturer and Pereslucha's adviser.

"Matt's project is inspirational, as he has been working to raise money on his own to travel with the mission trip this summer," Weaver said.  "He is another example of an enterprising student interested in breaking out of his comfort zone and documenting experiences and situations that touch his community and others.  Matt is clearly embracing the Westminster ideals of his role as a citizen of the world by linking his documentary to service that will bring his faith-based community in Lawrence County in touch with a community in need in Jamaica."

Pereslucha is a son of Deborah Pereslucha of South Park and a graduate of Kiski Area High School.

At Westminster, the final component of liberal studies is a senior study, or capstone, course.  The capstone is a four-semester-hour (minimum) course within the major designed to provide an opportunity for students to evaluate and assess the strengths and limitations of their major field.

The capstone experience permits opportunity for structured reflection on the value of education in and beyond the major and provides an opportunity to strengthen communication and problem-solving skills.

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.  Visit www.westminster.edu/drinko for more information about the Drinko Center and its programs.

Contact Weaver at (724) 946-7238 or email weaverbl@westminster.edu for additional information.