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Class of 2018 Completes Senior Theses

Fourth-years explore diverse topics, showcasing the vast array of intellectual interests of the student body.

For many members of the Class of 2018, the road to graduation involved the hard work of completing a BA thesis. This project, a requirement for some majors, takes a unique form for each student and represents the culmination of their courses, passions, and goals, often cultivated over multiple years. The final product is a piece of original research that serves as an impressive reminder of the challenge undertaken every year by the graduating class. Marianna Zhang, Julia Siegel, and Elizabeth Dia shared their projects and discussed the difficulties and rewards of this process. 

Journey to the Pole: UChicago Astrophysics Major Travels to Antarctica

Third-year Lindsay Berkhout took winter quarter off to work on the CosRay neutron monitors at the South Pole. The data from these monitors is used to study geomagnetic fields, 

At the beginning of this quarter, Berkhout enrolled in a full schedule of classes but soon decided to take a leave of absence to pursue the three-week trip with the CosRay experiment. “It was definitely worth it,” Berkhout said. “It will probably be an experience I’ll never get to do again. I can always take my classes next year.”

After a flight from Chicago to San Francisco, another to New Zealand, and a military flight to McMurdo station on the coast of the Antarctic continent, Berkhout faced the polar elements for the first time.

“Every time I would walk outside my breath would freeze to my hair, so I would have icicles hanging off [of] it!” At a coastal stop, she and her team observed some local wildlife. “We saw some penguins, some whales, lots of seals, and a couple of birds called skua, which are these really ugly, aggressive birds. You’re not allowed to bring food outside because they will dive bomb you.”

Seniors Celebrate Graduation in Style at the Adler Planetarium

With only one hundred days left until their graduation date, students enjoyed an exclusive evening under the stars at the Adler Planetarium. They dined on catered food and drinks, took photos with Dean Boyer, spent time with their classmates, and, with the skyline in the distance, they danced under the dome of the planetarium. In true UChicago fashion, the museum was made open to the students, who could learn about the craters on Jupiter while toasting to their upcoming accomplishments.

Andrew Nicotra-Reilly, co-events chair for Senior Class Gift, remarked on the success of the Adler event. “It was an awe-inspiring event to see so many of our classmates together. Collectively, it was beautiful,” he said.

Read All About it: The Triple Helix

This week in our ongoing feature of College publications, we highlight the work of the group The Triple Helix:

Befitting its name, The Triple Helix is an organization that takes on a lot of moving parts at once. With three flagship publications, the international organization gives undergraduates the opportunity to publish original research, write about the intersections between science and society, and host scientific researchers for campus events.

Alumni Spotlight: One Liberal Arts Education, Two Career Paths

Check out the first of our new Alumni Spotlights, featuring Sarah Koenig, host of the podcast Serial, and Miles Morgan, a teacher at the prestigious British boarding school Eton College.