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My name is Matthew Sadler. I am a senior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. My degree is focused in Geology. I have been at the University since spring 2011. I intend to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in December 2015. Since the completion of my first semester at the university I have received the honor of Dean’s list, which is given to students who make above average grades. A’s and B’s exclusively. Since I have chosen Geology as my Major I have sought out any extra work relevant to my degree to help me become the best student I can be. I have spent three semesters working on research projects, where I have worked closely with my professors. I have also taken an extra course to teach me how to operate an X-ray Diffractometer.
I have taken out student loans, worked full-time since 2011, and have been self-sufficient, but it has been very hard working full-time, providing my own transportation, housing, food and expenses while insisting on A’s and B’s. At the beginning of the fall semester 2014, an opportunity arose for me to attend a summer field camp. It is an opportunity for me to spend an extensive amount of time out in a various field locations to study the overall geology of that locality. I thought this would be a great experience for me to practice the skills I have acquired throughout my academic career. This was an opportunity that I could not afford to miss out on.
The field camp I chose is the 2nd best Field Camp in the Nation. It received an award last year for the best running field camp in the nation nominated by the Geological Society of America and Exxon/Mobil. My Professor and Academic mentor is also teaching at this Field camp. These two reasons were enough for me to make my decision. The camp is Branson Field Camp in Lander, Wyoming offered by the University of Missouri. The camp has been running since 1911.
The Branson Field Camp is at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming. This region contains a wide diversity of Geology that dates back to 2.8 billion years ago. We will be studying the overall Geology of the area, along with an extensive examination of the Yellowstone National Park. We are working on determining local stratigraphy of the area, structural analyses of outcrop, field mapping, and learning about depositional environments throughout the history of the planet by examining the rocks within a specific locality. The program is a very fast paced program.
Many of the locations we will be visiting are within 45 minutes of field camp. I have volunteered a position to drive the students to and from the field camp, as well as, drive the students into town on our nights off to relax. I volunteered to offset the costs of field camp. Although the field camp is at a reasonable cost, I am having trouble affording all of the expenses of field camp. I have had some help along the way. The Geology department at UTC awarded me $1,000.00 to help with the cost and I also sold my 1976 Chevrolet EL Camino SS project car for $1,100.00 to offset the cost as well. That was hard to do as I've looked forward to restoring this car I've had for 8 years, but this was an important step in my education. I have applied to 3 different scholarships but had no luck in receiving them. I have done everything in my power to afford this camp. Unfortunately, I have come up short on it's expense.
Field Camp began May 28th, 2015. It involved me driving from Chattanooga Tennessee to Columbia Missouri to pick up the transportation van. From there I took the van, along with, 4 other students driving vans and we headed to Lander Wyoming. The venture took 16 hours. A total of 1100 miles. The field camp is a six week course and is worth 6 college credit hours. Students from all over the country are attending this field camp. There is a wide diversity of culture here in this small area. As I mentioned, I choose to be a driver because the pay I get from doing that, would also help pay for this crucial part of my education. Out of a cost of $4900, I have paid all but $1800, which is due within 2 weeks. I normally wouldn’t ask or seek help, but this camp has removed me from the work force for it’s duration of 6 weeks as well.
Thank you very much for your help!
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