SU Students Present Posters to Maryland General Assembly

SALISBURY, MD---Two Salisbury University students recently participated in the third annual poster presentations of student academic research for the Maryland General Assembly. The presentations gave legislators an idea of the types of research being performed by students in the University System of Maryland.

Senior geography and geosciences major Suzanne McArdle of Beltsville, MD, presented her research in “Patterns of Land Use Change Defined by Elevation and Spatial Considerations in the Brazilian Amazon 1996-2005.” The poster analyzed variations in land use by individual lot owners, showing deforestation trends based on proximity to urban centers and elevation.

“Globally, tropical deforestation is a serious environmental issue, but for local populations, deforestation is a way of life,” she said.

McArdle served as a research assistant for Dan Harris in SU’s Geographic and Geosciences Department to complete geographic information science (GIS) work on a National Science Foundation grant secured by Dr. Jill Caviglia-Harris in the Economics Department. McArdle produced field maps for survey teams and satellite imagery calenders for survey participants prior to five weeks of field work in Brazil during. She also worked with Harris to collect global positioning system (GPS) data to map local roads, urban areas and markets.

Senior management and marketing major Tim McFadden presented his business plan to open a blown glass studio in his native Baltimore. He gained an interest in glass blowing when his older brother, Marty, took a course in the art at SU. McFadden hopes his experiences in that course, coupled with his business acumen, will lead him to a lucrative career.

“It’s the best course offered at SU,” he said.

McFadden’s plan won the 2005 Bernstein Achievement Award for Excellence, an annual business plan competition with a $5,000 prize established by Eastern Shore businessman Richard Bernstein and hosted by SU’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business. The plan also was one of 11 nationwide selected for Fortune Small Business magazine’s annual Student Showdown business plan competition.

At the presentation in Annapolis, McFadden’s glasswork drew the attention of Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr., among others. A spectator who had purchased glass in Venice suggested McFadden could sell his pieces for as much as $1,500. The artist starts his prices a little more modestly: around $150. Other pieces start at less than $25.

“Both students received considerable interest and accolades for their projects,” said Dr. Frank Shipper of SU’s Management Department, who helped oversee the presentations. “They made a faculty member proud to have them represent SU. They are a real credit to their families and to the University.” For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu. "