|
By Kristi DeBruin
In 1999, Dr. Bruce Forbes, professor of religious studies, traveled to Alaska as part of an interdisciplinary trip. It was this taste of the wild frontier that prompted him to plan a May Term class to the state for 2007.
 |
| Grant Wittstruck and Mac Maschmaier work with Della on their mittens (photo courtesy of Kari Hansen). |
“I wanted to show the students a side of Alaska that people don’t see on cruise lines or other tourist-type trips. Of course, Alaska is a beautiful, rugged area with miles and miles of wilderness, but many people of Alaska have a rich culture of survival, and I wanted the students to see this,” said Forbes.
And see they did. Nineteen students, along with Forbes and Morningside's campus pastor, the Rev. Kathy Olson, made the ten-day trek to the “last frontier.”
The students prepared for the trip by researching certain topics related to Alaska, including the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Alaska Earthquake of 1964, the Iditarod Dog Sled Race, as well as native peoples, the gold rush and the mountains. Throughout the trip, the students gave presentations about their research and then visited a related attraction so they had some background knowledge for the day’s events.
 |
A photo of the harbor at Seward taken shortly after sunset (photo courtesy of Grant Wittstruck).
|
They flew in to Anchorage on May 15 and stayed in the state’s largest city for three days. While in Anchorage, they met Della Waghiyi, a native Alaskan, who talked with them about her heritage and life in Alaska. Della also showed the students how to make mittens out of seal skin.
The port city of Seward was another stop for the group. Here,
they visited the Alaska Sea Life Center and took a boat tour to watch the sea life up close in its natural habitat. While on the boat tour they also saw a glacier calf, when pieces of the glacier break off and fall into the water below.
“Several students cited this as the highlight of the trip, sitting so still on the boat patiently waiting for the next large piece of ice to fall to the icy waters below.”
 |
Hansen with a young puppy at the Iditarod National Headquarters (photo courtesy of Kari Hansen).
|
Forbes described their time at the Willow United Methodist Church as the “heart of the experience.” Willow is on the edge of the wilderness, and many people in this area live in near-poverty conditions. The students chopped firewood to be given away during the harsh winter months and sorted clothing for the church.
In addition to visiting several of the state's landmarks, including the Iditarod National Headquarters, Exit Glacier, Denali National Park and the Native Alaskan Center, the students had an opportunity to participate in several panel discussions. One panel discussed the controversies of Alaskan oil drilling, while another dealt with women’s early experiences in the state.
For Kari Hansen, a junior from Sioux City, this was her second trip to Alaska. She had gone on a cruise with her family and wanted to visit the state again.
“This trip was so much more than I expected. Meeting the different people, seeing how they lived, and hearing their stories, it was amazing.” said Hansen. “They get by on only what they need, letting nothing go to waste.”
|
