Summer School of Excellence

The summer after my junior year of high school, I participated in a regional learning program focused on biology in Erie, Pennsylvania. It included a substantial component of understanding and appreciating the ecosystem of Lake Erie.

In this life-changing two-week experience at Gannon University, we discovered the effects of pollution in our community generated by big international corporations who used our lakes and streams as toxic waste dumps. After a state of initial shock, we were left with residual sadness and a sense of responsibility to do something about it. Even though I didn’t pursue a career in environmental science, I remained curious about the health of the environment.

Today, I have more time, energy, and freedom to advocate for water conservation and preservation in a concerted way.

Pictured: Kyra Gray, Esther Chase, and Jeff Malek in 1996 at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Full Article