As part of Associate Professor of Biology Will Jaeckle’s lab group, Tana Smithsakol ’17 works on a new method of staining starfish larvae. “I’m doing everything by myself,” Smithsakol said of his independent lab research, “so there is no ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.” A biology major, Smithsakol plans to apply to medical school after graduation. (Photo by Kim Hill)

At his internship at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Philippines, biology major Piotr Barnas ’17 samples rice to run a polymerase chain reaction study. Barnas was one of 26 IWU students interning in Asia this summer, thanks to a $400,000 grant from the Freeman Foundation that covered students’ airfare, housing, and all internship placement and visa costs.

IWU Preview Day brought hundreds of visitors to campus. Ambassador Yolanda Juarez ’17 (far right) leads a tour of prospective students and their families. (Photo by Kim Hill)

Eckley Scholar Martha Aguirre ’17 discusses her research progress with Chair of Educational Studies Irv Epstein. Aguirre is comparing ways students and teachers in two different countries are resisting the privatization of public education. She is one of five students spending their summers conducting research under the mentorship of a faculty member. Established in 2012, the Robert S. and Nell B. Eckley Scholars and Artists Program provides a stipend of $4,000 for each student scholar. Epstein is also the Ben and Susan Rhodes Endowed Professor in Peace and Social Justice. (Photo by Kim Hill)

Music theatre major LeeAnna Studt ’17 applies stage makeup to a participant during the Young Artists in Theatre camp. As assistant director of the camp for fifth through eighth graders, Studt handled choreography and costume design for a special youth adaptation of The Aristocats. This year marked the second year for the camp.