Keuka College students explore careers and conduct real-world research through the College’s distinctive Field Period® internship program, often traveling far from campus. But on Saturday, May 3, they brought those experiences back home.
The College’s third annual Keuka College Expo (KCx) collected the academic, artistic, and creative accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff. The event, which featured more than 100 presentations, highlighted the real-world experiential learning that is a hallmark of a Keuka College education.
“It really is a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the scholarship that’s taking place at Keuka College,” said President Amy Storey.
The day focused on student-led presentations developed from classwork, independent study, and Field Period internships.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Carolyn Klinge ’79, a professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, shared her decades-long involvement with Field Period. A Keuka College alumna, she has hosted a dozen Field Period students during her career.
Dr. Carolyn Klinge ’79, professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, gave the expo’s Keynote Address. “I have an important message,” she told the assembled students. “And that is that you can achieve anything that you set your mind on.”
“We’re here to celebrate Keuka College students’ Field Period achievements,” said Dr. Klinge. “I congratulate each of you for your accomplishments. I also challenge you, as fellow Keukonians. to make the most of every opportunity — at Keuka College and beyond — to do well, to do good, and to make yourself, your loved ones, and your alma mater proud.”
Dr. Klinge outlined three major benefits of Field Period:
- Career exploration: “The real gift,” she said, is allowing students to try out a career path.
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Criteria alignment: Students gain hands-on experience, professional connections, and résumé-building accomplishments.
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Self-development: Field Period experiences build confidence, communication, and time-management skills.
Alana Modugno, a senior Environmental Science major, said her project required plenty of networking and organization. “I’ve talked with people from the Keuka Lake Association and the Finger Lakes Institute, as well as collaborating with professors, reading papers, and taking what I know and implementing it into something that I really enjoy,” she said.
Students echoed those lessons.
Senior Environmental Science major Alana Modugno presented research on how different ecosystems in the Keuka Lake watershed affect benthic diatoms, a type of algae. Her Field Period work evolved into a year-long class project, which included grant writing and collaborations with the Keuka Lake Association and Finger Lakes Institute.
“The biggest thing I learned was networking,” said Alana, whose presentation was awarded second place in the expo’s Research Excellence Award category. “And how important it is to be independent. You need self-initiative to succeed.”
Nearby, junior Occupational Therapy majors Hayleigh Vanderhos, Anna Taylor, Curtis Law, and Sarah Klein presented a project developed with Professor of Occupational Therapy Dr. Michelle Bennett. They explored how OT practices can help new students feel a greater sense of belonging — ultimately boosting retention. Interviews with high school students informed their strategies, which included peer mentoring.
For their research project, junior Occupation Therapy majors, from left, Hayleigh Vanderhos, Anna Taylor, Curtis Law, and Sarah Klein interviewed high school students about their concerns regarding entering college and outlined strategies to address them.
“I thought it was interesting how we, as current students, can play a role in supporting incoming students,” said Hayleigh.
Junior Biology major Dylin Whitney’s project took a culinary turn. With his classmates in the KC 301-Food, Science, and Society course, he experimented with fermentation by creating different varieties of Greek yogurt.
“It really sharpened my organizational skills,” said Dylin. “It helped me understand how to present information clearly.”
President Storey emphasized how these Field Period experiences shape students far beyond the classroom.
“The work you do during Field Period can help you discover where you belong, where you can thrive, and where you can make a difference,” she said. “The world needs you. The world needs you to find your gift and embrace your gift. Field Period is a great way to understand that.”
A complete list of the 2025 Keuka College Expo Awards is available online.
