HOLLAND - Hope College juniors Catherine Martyn of Wheaton, Ill., and Kurt Pyle of Zeeland have been named the college's first Earhart Emerging Scholars by the Michigan Colleges Foundation (MCF). Martyn, a social work and women's studies major, is working on the project "The Role of Stories in Building More Inclusive Communities." She is exploring the way that telling and listening to individual stories helps develop a greater sense of community. She is conducting her research under the supervision of Dr. James Allis, professor of philosophy and chairperson of the department.

Pyle, a political science and mathematics major, is working on the project "Techniques for Exploring Data Related to American Foreign Policy Mood, 1776-1976." His goal is to determine which statistical method will serve best in considering long-term trends in U.S. foreign policy. He is conducting his research under the supervision of Dr. Jack Holmes, professor of political science.

As Earhart Emerging Scholars, Martyn and Pyle must conduct and complete their research by the end of the summer, and apply to present their work during the March 2006 annual meeting of the Michigan Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters (MASAL).

MCF solicits financial support from business and corporations on behalf of independent higher education in Michigan. Since its beginning in 1949, the foundation has raised more than $60 million for its member colleges, which are private, four-year, liberal arts institutions. In addition to Hope, the members are: Adrian, Albion, Alma, Andrews, Aquinas, Calvin, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Madonna, Marygrove, Olivet, Siena Heights and Spring Arbor.

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