College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of Psychology

Award for Study & Research Abroad for Natural Science Students

Seitz Award

The Seitz Award is designed to financially assist Natural Science students who desire to study science and conduct research abroad, outside the normal academic classroom setting. All students with sophomore or junior status majoring in Biology, Chemistry or Physics are eligible to apply. Sophomore and junior majors in Psychology, studying Physiological or Cognitive/Neuropsychology, or in Anthropology, studying Biological Anthropology, Primatology or Archaeology, are also eligible to apply.

What do you need to do to apply?

  • Meet with your department head or advisor to discuss study/research options.
  • Write a statement describing the nature of the academic experience and the importance of this experience to personal development and career plans - no more than 2 pages.
  • Provide a timeline of where you are going and what you intend to accomplish.
  • Develop a budget estimating the cost of the trip (transportation expenses, lodging, registration fee, etc.)
  • Print a copy of your transcript from my.butler.edu and append it to your statement.
  • If applicable, supply documentation showing that what you intend to do is feasible (e.g., you have a letter from a research lab welcoming you to their lab/field station).
  • For travel to non-English-speaking countries, verification of language proficiency is required. Language proficiency is defined as skill equivalent to that achieved after a minimum of two full years of collegiate study.

When do you apply?

Apply by Feb. 15 2008. Bring the complete application package to the LAS Dean's Office in Jordan Hall, Room 237.

What is expected after your return?

At the completion of the study abroad experience, the student will submit a written report to the office of the Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences and be available to make an oral presentation to the Seitz family and the Butler community.

Information about the Seitz Study Abroad Experience

Funded by the Katrina Roch Seitz Science Education Fund

The Seitz Study Abroad Experience allows students to extend their science education outside the classroom through study and conducting research abroad. Expectations are that a student will have a science educational experience (short courses, special seminars or learning opportunities, etc.) along with an immersion into the language, history, culture, art and economics of the country. The study abroad experience should provide an opportunity for the student to study, travel and interact with students and scientists in a foreign country and gain an appreciation for the educational, cultural and economic environment of the country. Butler University's Office of International Programs is available to help with arrangements for student housing, language instruction and travel, if needed.

Students will be selected by a committee including department heads in the Natural Sciences and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The number of student awards will be contingent on funds available. At the completion of the study abroad experience, the student will submit a written report to the Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences and be available to make an oral presentation to the Seitz family and the Butler community.

About Katrina Roch Seitz '79 and the Scholarship

Dr. Katrina Roch Seitz '79 and her husband, Dr. David Seitz, presented the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a gift to establish the Katrina Roch Seitz Science Education Endowed Fund.

Dr. Seitz, a native of Dallas, received her Bachelor of Science degree in zoology (cum laude) from Butler and her M.D. from Indiana University School of Medicine. She served her residency at Indiana University Medical Center and practiced medicine for over 20 years. She recently retired from her practice as an obstetrician-gynecologist with Southside OB-GYN in Indianapolis.

The fund, designated to benefit the natural sciences at Butler University, provides scholarship assistance to science majors who are interested in extending their education outside the classroom through seminars, field expeditions and meetings. It also has enabled the college to host a scholar in residence at Butler to enhance the science curriculum through lectures, seminars and workshops.

Where have Seitz Scholars traveled?

2007

  • Belize - Faculty/Student research trip in Biology (biannual trip for 12-15 students)

2006

  • Australia - Tyler Blakley, Biology/Chemistry
  • Australia - Lauren Gersbach, Biology
  • Spain - Laura White, Biology

2005

  • Belize - Faculty/Student research trip in Biology (biannual trip for 12-15 students)
  • San Jose, Costa Rica - Kelsey Burton, Biology/Chemistry
  • Copenhagen, Denmark - Laura Quilter, Biology/Spanish
  • Marseille, France - Jeff Carvell, Physics/Engineering
  • Paris, France - Jenna Gross, Chemistry
  • Taipei, Taiwan - Faculty/Student research trip in Chemistry
  • Tara Benz, Greg Campanello, Ken Clevenger, Victoria Fahrenbach, Carrie Hedge, Sheetal Mistry

2003

  • Oxford, England - Matthew Riley, Biology
  • Paris, France - Deborah Hill, Chemistry/Dance
  • Taipei, Taiwan - Faculty/Student research trip in Chemistry
    • Katie Brocksmith, Keith Gligorich, Scott Hocker

2002

  • Paris, France - Samantha Keith, Biology/Spanish
  • South Africa - Joanna Thomas, Chemistry
  • Stirling, Scotland - Marcy Taylor, Chemistry
  • United Kingdom - Emily Shrode, Chemistry

2001

  • Holzkirchen, Germany - Rachel Miller, Chemistry
  • Honduras - Jennifer Cockrill, Biology
  • Spain - Krystal Briney, Physics/Mathematics/Engineering
  • Spain - Brian Steurerwald, Chemistry

2000

  • France - Shannon Basford, Chemistry/French
  • France - Kristen Schuster, Biology
  • Spain - Florian Stamm, Biology/Anthropology