Stevens Institute of Technology: Admissions Blog

Extracurriculars and Co-op Lead to Multiple Job Offers for Senior Isaac Cohen

Senior Isaac Cohen took advantage of the Cooperative Education (co-op) program at Stevens. Through the program, he held two co-op assignments: the first as a project engineer at Automated Control Concepts, where he designed and programmed industrial control systems for clients; and the second as a SharePoint Designer with International Flavors and Fragrances.

“In both co-ops, I learned a tremendous amount about the industry and the technologies that were used,” Isaac says. “These co-ops exposed me to the corporate world and taught me how to manage complex projects efficiently. And as a result of such great experiences, I received full-time job offers from both companies.”

In fact, Isaac received five full-time job offers before accepting a position as an Application Developer for JP MorganChase.

“After carefully reviewing my offers, I decided to join JP MorganChase,” states Isaac. “I always had an interest in finance and was excited to start off my career with a job that would allow me to combine my knowledge of financial engineering and programming. The fast-paced environment as well as the high standard of excellence is what attracted me to JPMC.”

Like many of his peers, Isaac credits the Office of Career Development with aiding his job-search process. At the end of his junior year he attended an informal workshop where he was able to speak to seniors who had just gone through the process of acquiring a job. At the beginning of his senior year, he participated in additional workshops to prepare for interviews and perfect his resume. Because of this, he encourages future students to take advantage of the services offered on campus and to join co-op, all of which offered him experiences that set him apart from other candidates. He also recommends getting involved in clubs/organizations on campus to help with personal and professional growth.

Isaac is an Electrical Engineering major with a minor in Computer Engineering. He will also graduate with a certificate in Financial Engineering, and hopes to earn a Master’s in Financial Engineering down the road. He is the president of Hillel (the Jewish cultural group), a member of the Stevens Honor Board, the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, Eta Kappa Nu electrical and computer engineering honor society, and the Stevens chapter of IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

It was becoming a member of the Stevens Honor Board that he says truly enriched his college experience. Isaac recently attended a conference in Texas on academic integrity and says:

“The purpose of the trip was to present how the Stevens Honor System works and to see what other schools are doing to promote academic integrity. After reviewing other school’s systems, I had a sense of pride when I grasped how well run and advanced our system is. While other universities were just starting to get students involved in their academic integrity system, we have had a completely student run integrity system for over 100 years!” 

These students exemplify that while the Stevens experience can look different for each individual, several constants exist including the real-world preparation one receives and the stand-out moments that are taken with each and every graduate.

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A Reflection: Co-op

From Stevens to the Peace Corps

From Stevens to the Peace Corps

Just a few weeks after she graduates in May, Katie Quish '13 will fly to Liberia, where she'll spend the next two years teaching math and science to children for the Peace Corps. While there, she'll look back on her years at Stevens as a time of learning, exploration and personal growth.

Quish, 22, grew up in Hartford, Conn. Her father is a travel agent and her mother is a teacher. She is an only child. She attended high school at University High School of Science and Engineering, a reputable magnet school affiliated with the University of Hartford. She swam, played tennis and joined the school robotics club.

Quish wanted to attend a college where she could continue to pursue her lifelong interests in science and math. She had been touring colleges throughout the northeast when her uncle, a guidance counselor in New Jersey who used to live in Hoboken, suggested she look at Stevens.

“I fell in love with it instantly,” she said about her first visit to Stevens. “The location is great, and it's the right size school for me. Everyone is involved, and everyone knows everyone, which is great. There's a lot of support around because everyone knows who you are.”

Quish said she overcame the challenge of adapting to college and academic life during her freshman year.

“The first year was rough, and I wasn't ready for it,” she said. “But through repetition I got used to it. When you're involved with things on campus, which is easy to do at Stevens, then you learn that balance. You're always busy so you learn about managing your schoolwork and organizing everything.”

Quish will graduate with a degree in Engineering Management.

“It's still a degree in engineering, but more of the business world,” she said. “I like being able to talk to people and help them manage their projects.”

During her time at Stevens, Quish served on the Entertainment Committee and helped bring events to campus. She also worked in the community with the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, and served as vice president for the Stevens chapter of Habitat for Humanity and as treasurer of the Stevens chapter of the Society of Women Entrepreneurs. She spent her senior year spring break in Portland, Ore. building houses with other Habitat volunteers.

Quish also joined the Stevens Cooperative Education program, which helped her land two internships, first with the Louis Berger Group, an engineering firm in Morristown, and then with Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of aerospace company United Technologies Corporation. She worked for Hamilton Sundstrand out its offices in Connecticut and San Diego.

Quish credits one of her professors, Teresa Zigh, with encouraging her to join the Peace Corps. “She was really supportive,” Quish said. “I told her I really want to do the Peace Corps, but I was wondering if I should find a job instead, and she said no, go for it, it's something you want to do and it's in line with your career goals.”

Quish said she's excited about her opportunity to teach abroad, in a country that is recovering from civil war.

“They're really pushing for education over there, and the kids we'll be teaching will be the next generation who will be able to improve Liberia's economy and help them grow,” she said.

She said she's preparing for the change in lifestyle.

“I know it will be really different, going from having everything readily available all the time, to going somewhere where I might not have internet for a month,” she said. “I'm sure it's going to be hard, but it's something I really want to do.”

When she returns, Quish wants to find a job that blends her expertise and interest.

“I'd like to use my engineering and project management skills for international development, and help other countries that might not be as well off,” she said.

In her spare time, Quish enjoys practicing yoga, hanging out with friends, including her sorority sisters in Theta Phi Alpha, and exploring cities like New York, Boston and Washington.

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Stevens Freshmen Jump Right In

The first year of study on any university campus is full of exciting challenges. You discover your passions, hone in on your strengths, find new friends and mentors, and experience tremendous personal and professional growth.

At Stevens, freshman students stand out from the start – intellectually, socially, in the arts and athletics, and within the Hoboken community itself.

Read on about first-year students who took special advantage of the tremendous opportunities at Stevens to excel in every aspect of university life and beyond.

The Leader

Matthew Hunt of Wall Township, N.J. didn’t let his freshman status stop him from running for office. As just a freshman, the Mechanical Engineering major was elected by his fellow students to both the Student Government Association (he is a senator) and the Honor Board (he is co-chair of the Bylaw Committee).

Despite a rigorous academic workload – Hunt is in both the Cooperative Education program and the Stevens Scholars Research Program – he also is extremely active in campus life. He competes on the club volleyball team, serves as a member of the Entertainment Committee, and is rushing for Sigma Nu social fraternity and Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity.

“Something I had decided going into college was that I did not want to look back on my graduation day and think, ‘I could have done more,’” Hunt said. “At Stevens, becoming involved in campus life was not a difficult process at all. It has allowed me to not only make friends on campus, but also to make the most of my experience.”

The Musician

Daniel Aleman of Kearny, N.J. is pursuing a double degree in Engineering Management and Music & Technology. In his free time, he pursues his passion for music by performing with the Stevens jazz and concert bands, working in the pit orchestra for musical theater, and volunteering for WCPR, Stevens’ official radio station. Off campus, he moonlights as a live sound and recording engineer.

“I took the initiative to join things that piqued my interests, but advice from upperclassmen and faculty definitely helped,” he said. “Joining one activity here starts a domino effect; you soon find yourself in a whole slew of stuff.”

He said engaging fully in campus life was an easy way to make the successful transition from high school to college. “The more you get involved and socialize, the more people you will meet and you’ll begin to realize a college campus is more than just a set of buildings and students; it’s another home for you,” he said.

The Athletes

Elena Piper, a Quantitative Finance major from Chesapeake, Va., is on the varsity swimming team at Stevens, which helped her develop new friendships and balance her time between practice, meets, classes, studying, socializing, and a host of other activities, including the Honor Board, the business organization Phi Beta Lamda, and the environmental club S.A.V.E.

“Stevens is the perfect college if you’re worried about the adjustment to a college campus,” Piper said. “Most of my friends are on the varsity swim team but my involvement in the Honor Board as well as other clubs has allowed me to meet new people that I otherwise wouldn’t have.”

Business Technology Management major Gavriella Risman-Jones of New Boston, N.H. came to Stevens after being recruited to join the varsity softball team. In addition to softball, she also works in the Office of Residence Life, and is applying to be a Resident Assistant and tour guide.

“I love the community feel of Stevens,” she said. “My professors and teaching assistants know me and make themselves readily available for extra help. Stevens challenges all students, which will only benefit us in the real world.”

The Renaissance Men

Jacob Vanderbilt of Davis, Cali., a Chemical Engineering major, has a great many interests, and at Stevens he found a way to pursue them all. His charitable side finds ways to give back through the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. His inner-leader serves on the student-faculty alliance and organizes student activities through the Entertainment Committee. The athlete in him competes with the Stevens Club Baseball team.

“One of the great things about Stevens is that there are people here who will share your interests,” Vanderbilt said. “I was surprised at how easy it was for me to adjust, especially living over 3,000 miles from home, but Stevens makes it easy. There is so much to do and so many terrific people to meet that you become comfortable quite quickly.”

Charles Shotmeyer of Franklin Lakes, N.J., a Biomedical Engineering major, is also involved in array of groups and activities, including the Student Government Association, the Stevens Club Soccer Team, the Stevens Christian Fellowship, the Biomedical Engineering Society, the College Republicans, and the Stevens Health Professions Club.  

“Due to the size and environment of the campus, I was able to find many people who shared the same interests that I have, while at the same time I was able to try things that were not offered at my high school,” Shotmeyer said. “The possibilities are endless.”

The Performers

Molly Dugan of Morris Plains, N.J. and Trevor Batchelder of Toms River, N.J. spent their freshman years near the stage. Both theater-lovers are members of the Stevens Dramatic Society (SDS), and they have already taken part in several productions.

Dugan, who was in charge of props for the spring musical, is a Mechanical Engineering major who committed to joining the performing arts community during Pre-Orientation, when she met many students who shared her interests, including upperclassmen who encouraged her to join SDS. “Getting involved on campus exposed me to people I may not have been friendly with otherwise,” Dugan said.

In addition to his involvement in SDS, Batchelder also participates in choir and the theater fraternity Theta Alphi Phi. He is also pledging to the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. “The clubs cover a wide variety of interests and there truly is something for everyone,” said Batchelder, a Chemical Engineering major. “On the off chance that there isn’t, it is easy to create your own club.”

What Can Stevens Be for You?

These Stevens students agree that the freshman experience at Stevens is unique. It is easy to become involved, and there are countless options and opportunities to participate in clubs, activities, sports, fraternities, sororities, academic research and must more. All freshmen need to do is decide what is the best fit for them and then dive right in and take advantage.

“Stevens really does a great job of offering a variety of options for student involvement including clubs, professional associations, volunteer opportunities, fraternities and sororities,” said Holly Nelson, assistant director of Student Life. “As students get involved in one campus group, that one activity will usually lead to meeting other students, making friends, and getting involved with more activities they hear about through their friends. The best thing about being a student at Stevens is that if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you have the opportunity to start a new organization with your peers!”

The Stevens Club Fair – an event which occurs annually each fall semester at which every registered club on campus distributes information, meets with potential members, and answers questions – is one key reason. “Seeing all of the different options was really the moment that I decided I wanted to be as involved as I could be,” Hunt said. “All of the clubs actively welcome new members so it’s easy to join up,” Batchelder added.

Participating in Pre-Orientation and Orientation also greatly assists freshmen in adjusting to college life. “The Pre-Orientation experience made all the difference in the world,” Aleman said. “It gave me a family away from home and was an amazing way to start college.”

“I highly recommend doing pre-orientation,” Risman-Jones added. “I made a lot of friends in those few days who I’m still close with now. I was able to get to know my roommates before classes started, and I was also able to familiarize myself with the school earlier.”  

They also credit Stevens’ relatively small undergraduate population as a huge advantage for freshmen students. “Stevens is just big enough that you are always meeting new people, which is great for a freshman, but it’s small enough that you always run into friends,” Dugan said.

“Being with students who are in the same classes, involved in the same things, and have the same struggles as you was truly what allowed me to persevere through my freshman year,” added Hunt.

Piper said the physical size of the campus is another asset. “I love already knowing where all the buildings are and really feeling like the whole campus is just my big home,” she said. 

Stevens hometown, Hoboken, has also been ranked as one of the nation’s best college town, ensuring freshmen have the world at their fingertips. “There is no better location than Hoboken, and having New York only ten minutes away gives you so many things to do,” said Aleman. “There is plenty to do on campus, in Hoboken, and across the river in New York City,” added Batchelder.

And last, the great people at Stevens are perhaps its biggest advantage to first-year students. “Everyone on campus is extremely friendly and inclusive so I was able to meet upperclassman and other freshman extremely easy,” Shotmeyer said. “I was able to talk with upperclassman that had taken classes before and they were able to give me some pointers.”

“The upperclassmen, and people in general at Stevens, are really friendly and want to get you on the right track both academically and socially,” Vanderbilt said. “This friendliness is what made Stevens my first choice when I was looking at colleges, and it continues to reassure me that I made the right decision.”

“The academics here are top-notch, but it’s the people that make it really special,” added Aleman. 

What advice do these stand-out students have for incoming freshmen? Jump right in and worry about the little things later.

“Keep in mind that the first few weeks of the year will be exciting and nerve-wracking and a little bit scary for everyone, but that’s normal, and as the semester continues you’ll find your niche,” Risman-Jones said.

“Be as open as possible,” Hunt added. “College is what you make it, and if you are open to everything happens, it can and will be one of the best experiences of your entire life.”

“Your first year experience is really about casting a wide net, catching a lot, and keeping what you like,” concluded Vanderbilt. “That way you can continue through your Stevens experience doing things you love with people you enjoy.”

A Connected Network: Senior Jennifer Trinh Ready to Innovate at J&J

What’s one way to stand out in an extremely competitive job market? Have a documented resume of experience and established connections. Biomedical Engineering major Jennifer Trinh has parlayed her knowledge, cooperative education (co-op) experience, and the Stevens alumni network into a great job offer while finishing up her senior year. Jennifer will graduate in May with her B.E. in Biomedical Engineering as well as a Project Management graduate certificate. Her focus and ambition, coupled with opportunities for professional practice at Stevens, helped her secure the position she wanted.

“Stevens provided me with the career, leadership and networking opportunities necessary to gain an advantage. The Cooperative Education program that helped me secure two eight-month long assignments where I made critical workflow improvements and developed training guidelines for my companies,” Jennifer describes. “For my final summer experience, I decided to seek my own internship at J&J and worked closely with the Office of Career Development and Stevens alumni. In this internship, I built a strong network of more than 10 Stevens alumni from Ethicon and J&J IT, some of whom were already my mentors in college.”

Though it was the internship at Johnson & Johnson that directly led to her full-time offer with Depuy Syntheses in their prestigious Information Technology Leadership Development Program (ITLDP), her co-op experiences at Stryker Orthopaedics and Jarchem Industries, Inc. also prepared her for starting her first rotation as an Associate Analyst with project management duties. A two-year rotational program offering leadership development in both business and technology, the ITLDP is a perfect place for Jennifer, whose goal is to work for a healthcare company that specializes in clinical research, healthcare education, medical technology and service to the community.

Despite participating in many activities, Jennifer credits Greek Life as a standout experience during her time at Stevens: “In Fall 2009, I joined a small local sorority where the women were ambitious and one-of-a-kind. Its diverse sisterhood shared the same values as mine: friendship, loyalty, and love. It has been most rewarding because of the opportunities to meet new people, take on leadership roles, participate in Greek social events, and serve as a mentor for young women. More recently, I had the honor of bringing my sorority to national status by chartering the Gamma Chi Chapter of Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity and expanding its network to over 25,000 collegians and alumnae – not many people can put that on their resume!”

Looking ahead, Jennifer says she would like to spearhead future medical technology education programs for professionals like the Ethicon Professional Education program and complete a Master’s degree in Project Management. She urges other students to bring their own brand of “value-added” to everything they do, as each individual makes the world a better place with their bright ideas.

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Job Offers Rolling in for Stevens Seniors

Meet Stevens' New Student Government Leaders

Fast-approaching the 100^th senate of Stevens’ Student Government Association (SGA), Nick Catania and Abhay Sampath take the helm as newly elected (2011-2012) president and vice president, respectively.  Assuming top position on their agenda is a concerted effort to increase the already robust and diverse representation of clubs and organizations on campus - something that makes Stevens distinct. They aim to position the SGA as a central point of information for extracurricular activities and inspire students to come up with ways to make the Stevens experience even better.

“With almost 100 student-run organizations on campus, there are so many ways to get involved.  You can join media organizations, ethnic and professional societies, sports, Greek life, and so much more.  Students are always starting new clubs and finding new ways to explore their interest," Catania said.  "The funds for these organizations are in the hands of students, and everyone is determined to be successful. There is clearly a great advantage for students here.”

Both Catania and Sampath will be entering their final year as Stevens undergraduates, and they are very excited to be holding their new leadership positions.   These are students who have taken full advantage of opportunities for student involvement at Stevens.  Catania is a double major – engineering physics and music & technology (with a concentration in music composition).  He is also a member of Gear and Triangle, Stevens Jazz Band, Stevens Dramatic Society, and he was on the winning team of the Northeast Regional Ethics Bowl.  Sampath is a Stevens Scholar who will earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in electrical engineering when he graduates in 2012.  He is a former member of the Stevens Honor Board and a member of a number of extracurricular clubs. In addition, this past fall semester (2010), he studied abroad at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

“My study abroad experience was amazing,” Sampath said. “It was one of those college experiences that gets you out of your comfort zone and opens your eyes to different environments, outside of what you learn in the classroom.  This was the first time I had the opportunity to experience new cultures and travel to such remarkable destinations as Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. I’m happy that Stevens was able to connect me to other parts of the world.”

With most of their undergrad years behind them, Catania - a graduate of Marlboro High School (Marlboro, NY) - and Sampath - a graduate of Middlesex County Academy (Edison, NJ) - look back on their transformation and credit Stevens with helping them become campus leaders.  Stevens’ close-knit community engages students in ways other larger universities cannot.  They say everyone at Stevens is motivated to work together, take on new challenges and make things happen.

Their message to incoming freshmen?  Take advantage of the available opportunities to get involved.  Freshmen, for example, eager to take on new leadership roles, can run for the SGA Senate positions early on in their first semester.  And Pre-Orientation is a great way to be introduced into the community before the school year begins.  It helps many students get a jump start on making new friends and building relations that will last through, and well-beyond, their careers at Stevens.  “We can’t wait to see you at Stevens this fall, and we’re looking forward to getting you started on your new adventure!” Catania said.

Alumna Dominique Gonzalez: From Stevens to Product Engineer at Fisher-Price/Mattel

Since 2004, mechanical engineering graduate Dominique Gonzalez (B.E. `04, M.E. `10) has been a product engineer for Fisher-Price/Mattel in New York City.  True to the company’s mission of “Creating the Future of Play”, she is specifically responsible for the production of some of the most popular, innovative toys on the market.  For the average consumer, it’s hard to imagine all the work behind creating the fun children have with the latest toys, but listening to Dominique describe her role in getting the company’s products on the shelf – through the various stages of concept and design to manufacturing, packaging and distribution – cultivates a keen sense of appreciation for her job as well as the education she received at Stevens.

As product engineer, Dominique is charged with considering, first, if the toy design is manufacture-able, and if so, ensuring that it is developed through the production cycle, including debugging and safety inspections, ultimately making sure the product meets expectations in every way.  As highly sophisticated and complex as it is, Dominique describes her job as a fun place to be.  Considering some of her favorite products – Handy Manny Toolbox, Elmo Live, and the Sesame Street Cars– that’s not surprising. “In a job like mine, it’s actually ‘ok’ to watch cartoons and get excited about toys,” she said.  “It’s fulfilling to see my products in the stores, to see parents buy them.  Really, I get to make things that make kids happy!”

Dominique’s success at work and in life, she says, is linked to several factors.  Recalling her days as a student at Verona High School in New Jersey, Dominique pointed to her mother’s high expectations and how that ultimately led to her applying and getting accepted to Stevens. “I was always pushed to do well in school,” she said.  “A’s were expected, and if I was struggling with getting those, I was encouraged to find help and support. There were no exceptions.”  Her uncle being a mechanical engineer was also an influence. “A few things he told me about the field that inspired me: one, that mechanical engineers are versatile and two, engineers, generally, are taught to be good at problem-solving,” Dominique said. “At Stevens, that all held to be true. I learned to handle people and projects, how to organize them into an efficient whole.  Product engineer for Fisher-Price/Mattel, which was first a temporary position, was my first job in the field. I adapted to a complex process of product design and project management very quickly. I did a great job, and they kept me on as a regular full time product engineer. That really is a testament to my Stevens education and the support I received through the Career Development Office.”

Dominique is equally appreciative of the solidarity she had at Stevens, which she gained through several activities: varsity women’s volleyball, the Black Student Union (BSU), Latin American Association (LAA), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Stevens Technical Enrichment Program (STEP), and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).  “At Stevens, everyone is willing to help,” she said. “It’s challenging, for sure, but very supportive.”

The highlight of her experience at Stevens?  Senior design, she said.  And this is what she feels incoming students need to know if they’re weighing several colleges.  “Senior design is the most important hands-on dive into your major. It’s amazing,” Dominique said.  “Beyond the books, you seriously learn here by doing – like building mock ups, outputting information to the model shop, designing and running simulations.  By the time you leave Stevens, you understand and are confident because of this experience. It makes you distinct out there in the industry.” 

Dominique’s senior design project won top prize at the New Jersey Chapter meeting of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE).  The “Remotely-Operated Stitching Device,” was an exercise in pharmaceutical engineering.  Her team’s primary goal was to provide an innovative way to reduce, if not eliminate, invasive surgery. More specifically, the aim was to develop a method for securing an endovascular stent-graft in place from within the aorta using spiral Nitinol clips.  In addition to winning first place in the ISPE Poster Competition, the project won Stevens’ Technogenesis Award in 2004, and the team filed a U.S. patent for the device.  They also earned a National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Association grant. “I learned a lot during the senior design experience,” Dominique said. “And the highlights of the project were a big deal. We got to present in San Jose at a professional conference.  Most memorable for me, though, is having worked with Professor Zhengi Zhu, our senior design advisor. He is really incredible.  Working with faculty like him – very much known out there for his expertise, his research, and yet so available to students – is what you get at Stevens, and that makes all the difference.”

Stevens Habitat for Humanity Chapter Visits Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in Timber Lake, SD

By Sara Roeder, Class of 2008

Mitakuye oyas’in! This phrase, meaning “all my relatives” in the native Lakota language of the Sioux Native Americans, became the theme of the Stevens Institute of Technology team’s trip to Timber Lake, South Dakota for Habitat for Humanity.  With these words, the Lakota culture attempts to communicate the belief that all life is connected, and there was no better premise to observe this cultural philosophy than from the perspective of a Collegiate Challenge.

The Collegiate Challenge is an alternative spring break program sponsored by Habitat for Humanity during which students spend a week building a house for a partnership affiliate.  The Stevens Institute of Technology team trekked to the Okiciyapi Tipi HFH affiliate on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in Timber Lake.  Upon landing in the Midwest, the general sentiment was that the group had arrived in a foreign country, one in which the predictable, geometric patterns created by innumerable skyscrapers were replaced by expansive vistas of rolling prairie and irregular rocky buttes.

As the team pulled in to our final destination at the Holy Cross Catholic School, we were greeted warmly by Sisters Pegge Boehm and Darlene Gutenkauf with their arms full of an extensive array of bar cookies: brownies, blondies, pumpkin bars, spice cake, and more.  The hospitality did not end there, as the team enjoyed several home-cooked meals throughout the week.  The accommodations at Holy Cross were simply the start of the progression to a new understanding of the word ‘community’.

With bellies full and bodies rested, the team embarked on their true mission for the week: building a house for a Timber Lake family.  The Marshalls are a family of five that have fallen on hard times, and have turned to Habitat for Humanity for a hand up.  The building site was seven miles away on a gravel road in a desolate town known as Glencross.  On Monday, the team was faced with the challenge of erecting an enclosed house on what appeared to be little more than foundation and decking.  During the week, the team fought through blisters, splinters, wind, snow, and precarious ladder maneuvers in order build exterior walls, interior framing, and complete a roof for the Marshalls.

Although the work was tough, the team thoroughly enjoyed the time under the tutelage of construction superintendent a.k.a. crew boss Ted “Teddy” Eagle (the added help of Adam Westbrook and Allison Moe, two Habitat veterans in town for a few days, also sped up the construction process).  The camaraderie experienced at the site contributed to the group’s increasing awareness of the importance of human relationships in both rural and urban societies.  This importance, and relevance, of human connections also carried over into the Native American cultural activities planned by the Okiciyapi Tipi HFH affiliate.

While on the reservation, the Stevens team participated in a native sweat lodge ceremony, listened to live performances of traditional Sioux folksongs and legends, and also ate the local delicacy: “Indian tacos”.  By far, the most intense cultural experience the team partook in was the sweat lodge.  All 15 team members entered into a deer hide tent constructed with willows that stood approximately four feet tall with a diameter of twelve feet.  In the center of this tent lay several igneous rocks that had been heating in a blazing fire for most of the day.  The sweat lodge leader would pour water over the rocks during the ceremony to create steam which would in turn heat the participants.  The team then endured four rounds of sweating throughout which the sweat lodge leader chanted Lakota songs and prayers.  While the team did not directly understand the meaning of the words being spoken, communication and intercultural connections were deepened as a result of the sharing of this ceremony.

Another favorite activity of the Stevens group was a trip out to the ranch of the head of the affiliate, Jerry Farlee.  At present, he maintains cattle and bison on the ranch.  The excursion was taken on a truly picturesque day, and several team members will have photographs to treasure the landscapes.  Throughout the tour, Farlee stressed the Sioux reliance on subsistence living.  This event demonstrated the connection that humans have to the land, and also showed how delicate of a connection it is when facing the advance of an increasingly modern world.

As the Stevens students return to Hoboken, New Jersey, many of them have taken on new perspectives as a direct result of their experiences in the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation and, more specifically, the Timber Lake community.  The students approached this alternative spring break with open minds and open hearts, and have broadened their perception of community beyond the simply cordial to the nearly familial.  As a group, we would like to say thank you, mitakuye oyas’in, for all that you have shared.