Connecticut College: Digital Archaeology

Q. Why did you decide on Connecticut College?
A. I really wanted to work with technology wherever I went, and the Ammerman Center for Arts & Technology was a big draw for me. I knew I wanted to incorporate technology into my major and be a part of that program, so I applied for it freshman year and have been working with it since.

Q. What is your major?
A. I’m a computer science and architecture double major, and I’m also doing the Ammerman Center’s certificate program.

Q. Have you developed good relationships with any professors?
A. I have. My freshman summer I was in Greece with Professor Alchermes doing architectural surveys of buildings and rebuilding them in three dimensions with a professor from York University. This past summer I was working with Professor Baird surveying pre-Incan architecture in Ecuador.

Q. What classes have you enjoyed most?
A. I’ve really enjoyed the classes I’ve taken in virtual reality. It’s really interesting, and I’ve been using it for a lot of my research.

Q. What was your abroad experience like?
A. Working in Ecuador was really amazing. I spent a summer there on a Keck grant working with Professor Baird. We surveyed pre-Incan pyramids and burial mounds and used our measurements to build three-dimensional models of the sites. The work I’ve been doing with the Ammerman Center now wouldn’t have been possible without spending time on site doing research in Ecuador.

Q. What project are you working on?
A. Now that I’m a senior I get to work more with independent research in areas that interest me. Right now I’m creating a virtual reality tour of the archaeological sites in Ecuador. The best part about the whole experience is that I’m helping to create a resource for future research using technology.

Q. Has anything about the College surprised you?
A. I expected the school to be small, but what really surprised me was how intimate the school is. I’ve been able to get to know many of my professors, go abroad with them and form relationships that wouldn’t have been possible someplace else. It’s really an advantage to be able to have these resources available to you to support what you’re interested in.

Q. What do you like to do outside of class?
A. This past semester I had very little free time because of my heavy course load, but I did play club lacrosse during the week when I had time. On the weekends I made an effort to explore New London and the surrounding area, especially going to flea markets and farmers markets.

Q. Have you thought about what you'd like to do after you graduate?
A. I'm looking for jobs in animation, or something in the field of cultural heritage along the lines of what I was doing in Ecuador with Professor Baird.

Q. If you could tell someone one thing about the College, what would it be?
A. The experience in college is what you make of it, but Connecticut College really gave me many opportunities to pursue what I wanted to do. There were many chances for me to get to know professors and students, to go abroad and to use technology as part of my work. For me it was just a matter of taking advantage of the resources around me once I was here.

Learn more about:

Bridget Baird (Former Director of the Ammerman Center) 
Architectural Studies 
Study Abroad