Chancellor Kent Syverud presents Professor Hans Buechler a certificate in recognition of his 50 years teaching at Syracuse University at the One University Awards in Hendricks Chapel.

Hans Buechler is an anthropologist at heart. He is fascinated by people and their stories—where they come from, what they do in their working lives and how it shapes their world view. When Syracuse University honored the Maxwell School anthropology professor for 50 years of service at the One University Awards on April 12, it wasn’t just the VIPs that caught his attention—it was the honoree who approached him at the reception. “I was standing by the food table and started up a conversation with a man who was also being honored for his service,” Buechler says. “He explained that one of his major tasks in his job at the University is to change all the light bulbs, and he’s been doing this for years. It really made this event feel like we are a community, and that was a very nice thing.”

Another guest he was delighted to meet was Harriet Graham, a young woman who congratulated him on his milestone. “She had a lovely accent and said she was a Lockerbie Scholar,” he recalls. “I actually mentioned the next day in my class that I had met a Lockerbie Scholar. I think it’s important for students to know about that connection.” The woman was from Lockerbie, Scotland, where Pan Am 103 fell in 1988. The bombing killed 270 people, including 35 Syracuse University students who were returning from a semester of studying abroad. Each year, two students from Lockerbie are awarded scholarships to study at Syracuse for a year. They return to the United Kingdom to finish their degrees.

Buechler came to the Maxwell School in 1968, when the Vietnam War was raging and American students were embracing activism on campuses across the country. “There were all these demonstrations going on,” he recalls, “and I supported them, as long as they made something out of it.” He finds that today’s students are less interested in activism and more committed to getting good grades. “Probably because their livelihood depends on it more than it used to,” he observes.

This 1975 photo captures Hans Buechler (right) and his wife Judith-Maria conducting anthropological fieldwork with their twin daughters, Simone and Stephanie, during a fiesta in a rural Bolivian community. Also pictured are members of the Bolivian family the Buechlers researched over three generations.

The social anthropology of Latin America has been a focus of Buechler’s research throughout his career. His late wife, Judith-Maria, was an anthropology professor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. Together, they spent more than four decades immersed in the study of land reform and rural-urban migration in La Paz, Bolivia, and how it affects family, politics and ritual, as well as research in Spain, Eastern Germany and Switzerland. They wrote books, published articles and never tired of working together. Recording family histories was integral to their method, and Buechler continues this research himself, seven years after his wife’s death. He plans to return to Bolivia this summer to continue interviewing and observing the Bolivian family they have followed for three generations.

At 79, Buechler commutes to his classes each day from Geneva, where he maintains the home he shared with his wife. “It’s a lot of driving,” he says of the hour-long trek, “but it’s a time to think. And on the drive home, I always talk to my daughters in Tucson and Chicago.” He takes pride in his family history of twins—his father, daughters and two of his grandchildren are twins.

“It’s hard to live alone,” he says, but his colleagues, field work and rituals bring him comfort. “I stopped watching TV, but I continue the tradition of opening my house up to a group of my wife’s colleagues every other Thursday,” he notes. “I don’t feed them a meal anymore, but I do provide some cheese and crackers.” When asked if sports provides an enjoyable diversion for him, he laughs. “Not at all! I’ve never been to a game.”

Even as the only employee recognized in the 50-year category at this year’s service awards, Buechler seemed surprised by the attention. “They really made an event out of it, and people came up and congratulated me,” he says. He looks forward to a sabbatical next year, but has no plans to retire.

After five decades spent teaching three or more classes each semester, what class does he most enjoy? “Life Histories and Personal Narratives,” he replies.

Naiya Campbell’s grant provides an opportunity for her to explore black excellence in media with faculty mentor Kendall Phillips. (Photo by Colleen Ferguson)

“Euphoria” is how Cathryn Newton, senior advisor to the Chancellor and provost for faculty engagement, described the atmosphere at Bird Library last Thursday afternoon, when scores of undergraduate research and creative grant recipients gathered to celebrate their success. The 103 students whose projects were selected represent the first cohort of awardees funded by Syracuse University’s new Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement, known as The SOURCE. An additional 23 students were funded through Renée Crown University Honors Program awards.

There were high fives, hugs and balloons as joyful students, faculty mentors and staff shared sentiments of gratitude and pride. “Their enthusiasm and energy is truly infectious,” said Kate Hanson, newly appointed director of The SOURCE, which was created through a collaboration of the Student Association, the University Senate Research Committee, the Renée Crown University Honors Program, the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising, and University faculty.

Several distinguished alumni attended the event to congratulate the students and reinforce the value of undergraduate research. Among them was Dr. Sharon Brangman ’77, a trailblazing physician and renowned expert in the field of ethno-geriatrics who has been a member of the faculty at Upstate Medical University since 1989. “It is important that undergraduate Syracuse University researchers know that they are joining a wonderful lineage of successful pioneers who started their careers with research in college,” said Hanson.

Other notable guests highlighting the significance of undergraduate research were Jeffrey Mangram ’88, G’89, Ph.D.’06, professor of education and provost’s faculty fellow; Linda Ivany ’88, professor of earth sciences; Samuel Gorovitz, professor of philosophy and founding director of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; and Barry L. Wells, special assistant to the Chancellor.

“It’s an amazing feeling to have people not only believe in what I’m doing but invest in my future,” said Naiya Campbell, a junior communication and rhetorical studies major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). The Miami native received an academic-year grant to research the creative forces of her generation through the lens of race, media and storytelling.

Prentice Bufkin Jr. celebrates his academic-year grant for his project titled “Piezography, Activism, and the “Black” Dialogues: When My Body was Finally My Own.” (Photo by Colleen Ferguson)

Amelia Lefevre, a junior writing major in the College of Arts and Sciences, titled her grant proposal “Healing Place, Bringing Justice.” “As a single mom and nontraditional 30-year-old bachelor’s degree student, I’m very excited to be supported in this way,” Lefevre said. “This is important for my professional development, and I believe my work will produce significant contributions for creating social justice.”

Aadrien Thayaparan, a junior civil engineering majoring in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, received a summer grant to develop a digital sensor he will deploy in Skaneateles Lake to test water quality, algae presence and other issues.

Prentice Bufkin Jr., said: “It means a lot to me to be in the first cohort of SOURCE research scholars. It’s a culmination of hard work and personal growth that has been rewarded in a way that gives me an opportunity really embrace and demonstrate my abilities.” The junior studio arts/printmaking major in VPA will focus on the use of piezography, a process employed in photography to increase tonal range.

Each student will be working in partnership with a faculty mentor who will guide their research and original creative work to completion. The SOURCE office in Bird Library is staffed with student research mentors who will provide additional one-on-one assistance to students as their projects progress. This advocacy is especially meaningful in fulfilling the intent of the University’s Academic Strategic Plan, which is built on a strong commitment to multicultural support.

“Our mission of diversity and inclusion was beautifully shown,” said Newton, who led a team of faculty, administrators, students and staff in launching the program after years of planning and a $1 million annual commitment from the University. “Our team is excited about working with the students to refine their timetable and specific research needs,” she noted. “We envision a lively campus this summer!”

Spring 2019 SOURCE Grant Recipients

Cathryn Newton (center), senior advisor to the Chancellor and provost for faculty engagement, with student research mentors (from left) Myles Morgan, Chuck Schauer, Jordan Barrett and Colleen Ferguson at the SOURCE dedication event in Bird Library.

Bird Library’s Peter Graham Scholarly Commons was filled with an animated collection of students, faculty and administrators last Thursday evening. The standing-room-only crowd gathered for the dedication of Syracuse University’s new Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement, which will be known as The SOURCE.

Kate Hanson, previously the deputy director of the Renée Crown University Honors Program, will direct the office. “Engaging in sustained work that seeks to answer questions, solve problems, contribute to the community, or create something innovative is often one of the most challenging and most rewarding pieces of a student’s college experience,” Hanson said. “The SOURCE will provide a nexus of community, support, resources, and collaboration around undergraduate research and creative work.”

The crowd’s positive energy flowed from years of planning, proposals, vision-sharing and hard work. It culminated in a multifaceted program and dedicated space where undergraduate research and creative exploration can flourish. The University has made a $1 million annual commitment to support this endeavor with resources from the Invest Syracuse initiative—an investment that will bolster Syracuse’s reputation as a student-focused research university.

“I’m so thrilled that this happened in my lifetime!” exclaimed Ramesh Raina, professor and chair of the Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, who was instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. “Undergraduate research was a game changer for me,” he said, sharing his excitement about the possibilities for current and future students.

Kate Hanson

Raina’s sentiment was echoed by speakers who shared memories of the powerful impact their own undergraduate research experiences had on their lives and careers. These included Chancellor Kent Syverud and Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly. “Creative inquiry and collaboration is what we need in the world today,” said Wheatly, adding, “That’s how you build a Chancellor and a provost!”

“In my junior year of college, I received funding for a research project with roots in a geography course. That experience showed me how to take what I was learning in the classroom into the wider world and set me on a path that led to where I am today,” recalled Jamie Winders, professor and chair of the Department of Geology in the Maxwell School and the College of Arts and Sciences.

“The SOURCE is going to be an amazing place for students to find something that they’re passionate about and fall even more in love with it,” said Student Association President Ghufran Salih. “Students are really going to be able to challenge themselves to grow and thrive from the research they do. The SOURCE will also allow for students from marginalized communities as well as students with limited opportunity to pursue research a platform where they can have this chance to get funding and have a faculty mentor and make this community better. I am so excited for this endeavor, and it has truly been an honor to be a part of.”

A team effort

Cathryn Newton, senior advisor to the Chancellor and provost for faculty engagement, spoke about the profound impact this new initiative will have at Syracuse in creating opportunities and providing resources and guidance for generations of students. “Today,” she said, “we honor these intrepid souls, as well as the dazzling new program that is your work. The SOURCE will be a lasting tribute to your creative vision, your uncommon perseverance, and to that Syracuse moxie that embodies us at our very best.”

Newton led the effort to create The SOURCE, with help from the Student Association, the University Senate Research Committee, the Renée Crown University Honors Program, the Center for Fellowship & Scholarship Advising, and University faculty. Colleagues in the Office of Research, the Provost’s office and a transition team including Barry Wells, special assistant to the Chancellor, and Maura Ivanick led the development of The SOURCE with Newton.

The SOURCE’s focus on undergraduate discovery, innovation, student success, and commitment to diversity and inclusion aligns with many goals of Syracuse University’s Academic Strategic Plan. Student applicants have submitted more than 135 proposals for funding from the program. These applications are being reviewed for summer research grants of $2,800 and  academic year project grants of up to $5,000 for research beginning in fall 2019.

Research grants and student mentors

Tiffany Tang and Jinzhi Cai, first-year students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science,  submitted a grant proposal to construct an autonomous underwater robot that can support a variety of sensors for measuring water quality.

“It is encouraging to pursue something I am curious and enthusiastic about,” said Jinzhi, a computer engineering major from from Guangzhou, China. “I have a lot of questions that this research gives me a chance to answer and offer solutions, to accomplish a project that has been on my mind since grade school.”

“For me, this opportunity is a chance to see what I can do when handed the wheel,” said Tang, an aerospace engineering major from Cupertino, California. “Having a research project where the objectives are highly influenced by what I want to learn about is self-motivating.”

Myles Morgan, a junior biology major from Marietta, Georgia, who conducts his own research in neuroscience, will serve as a student research mentor for The SOURCE. Morgan cut the ribbon to a new, dedicated space on the library’s second floor where students can connect with mentors like himself who will assist them in their chosen research paths.

Newton pointed out that furniture and walls, while helpful, cannot alone fulfill the mission of this extraordinary venture. “The SOURCE, you see, does not live in an office,” she said. “Its true life is in the disciplined creativity that comes in the quiet of undergraduates working in a sustained way with faculty. It thus lives in the studios, the stage, the labs—in the field, the libraries, the seminar rooms—in our centers abroad and, yes, in the wee hours at the writing desk, when the lights are still on.”