University of Wyoming researchers have received Seibold grants to investigate projects
ranging from "new media" to international criminal justice systems and music curricula
in Wyoming schools.
The College of Arts and Sciences will award grants to two faculty members: Michael
Brown (Department of Communication and Journalism) and Rod Garnett (Department of
Music); and two academic professionals: Kathleen McKeage (Department of Music) and
Gary Sherman (Department of Criminal Justice). The grants support projects that will
enhance their professional development and teaching. The awards grant $25,000 to each
recipient's department and $5,000 for expenses such as travel.
Brown, a scholar of radio and audio media, will investigate "new media," including
podcasts, portable media devices and digital applications to use in his classes. He
is interested in learning new software as used in today's new media applications and
in developing exchanges to understand how these should be taught to this generation
of students.
As an ethnomusicologist, Garnett combines the study of music in many parts of the
world with the study of culture. He will travel to the Republic of Moldova to study
performances and learn to play a type of flute made in the capital city. Garnett will
incorporate his findings in his courses on world music and possibly perform public
concerts.
McKeage will examine kindergarten through high school music programs in Wyoming and
the music education program at UW with an eye toward possible curriculum and delivery
changes. She will travel to a several school districts to interview music educators.
McKeage says this project will influence the music education program offered in the
Department of Music.
Sherman's project will enhance internationalization in the Department of Criminal
Justice, as he will visit universities in New Zealand and Australia and examine similarities
and differences between the United States criminal justice system and those that also
have British roots. Sherman plans to revise several classes based on his work.
The late Clarence Seibold of Cheyenne donated funds to support researchers in the
humanities, social sciences and fine arts to do major projects even when they might
not have external grant opportunities such as those available in the sciences.