Student Snapshot: Maeve Thistel '24

Maeve Thistel

Maeve Thistel ’24, an anthropology major (Italian minor, food-studies certificate) from Baltimore, is studying abroad in Italy this summer and training for a 200-mile relay race. Below, she discusses what she learned from her First-Year Seminar, her research on food insecurity and dietary diversity, and more.

Hometown:

Baltimore, Maryland.

Major

Anthropology, with an Italian minor and food studies certificate.

Clubs and organizations:  

Italian Club (vice president) and Alpha Lambda Delta.

Honors/scholarships/awards:

Benjamin Rush Scholarship, Wheel and Chain Leadership Award, Burpee Fellow and the Waidner-Spahr Library Prize for Excellence in First-Year Research.

Favorite book:

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.

Favorite class/learning experience so far:

Professor of History Matthew Pinsker’s First-Year Seminar, Dickinson and Slavery, was one of the most challenging yet rewarding classes I have ever taken. I am a better writer, researcher and critical reader because of it.

Favorite movie:

Moonstruck.

Favorite place on campus:

The library or Kaufman Hall—it is impossible to choose!

Favorite professor:

Associate Professor of Italian Tullio Pagano helped me realize how much I love learning languages. He is a kind and compassionate professor who has inspired me to continue Italian after I graduate from Dickinson.

Little-known hobby/talent:

I am an avid trail runner! I run 60-80 miles a week all over Cumberland Valley. I am currently training for Hood to Coast, a 200-mile relay in Oregon. I aspire to be a competitive ultra-runner. I love the way running makes me feel. I can run forever. It is my favorite thing to do.

On studying abroad:

I am studying abroad this summer. I am doing the Bioregions of Italy abroad course with Lecturer in Italian Luca Trazzi.

About my internship:

I interned with Ed Garrubbo, creator of The Garrubbo Guide: Italian Food, Wine, and Culture and author of Sunday Pasta.

Proudest accomplishment so far:

In April 2022, I came in first in my age group in the hardest half-marathon in Pennsylvania!

About my research:

I researched the use of home gardening in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, as a solution to food insecurity, along with Jenn Halpin, director of the College Farm. Together we worked with residents to start home gardens and we created surveys to determine residents’ dietary diversity and food accessibility. I learned how to create crop plans, troubleshoot garden concerns (such as building rain barrels to reduce water bills) and connect with community organizations.

As I kid, I wanted to be …

I wanted to own my café.

Post-Dickinson plans:

I plan to get my M.S. in nutrition and integrative health and then pursue a doctorate in human clinical nutrition.

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Published August 5, 2022