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New College Senior Hikes the Appalachian Trail

While other seniors spent their final semester sitting in the classroom, writing papers, preparing for the GRE, or taking exams, New College student William Wells was hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT), which runs from Georgia to Maine.

Wells, whose depth study is wildlife and land management, began planning the trip as part of his final project in NEW 212 (Creativity). His NEW 212 instructor, Professor John Miller, recalls that Wells had a hard time coming up with a final project for the class.

“I suggested that he combine his enthusiasm for outdoor leadership with creativity and create a trip plan for a hypothetical trip to important natural attractions around the world. He did a great job, so when he came to me to discuss a real-world version for hiking the AT, I knew he could bring what he had learned while pursuing his depth study to the project,” Miller said.

New College professor Dr. Michael Steinberg, an avid outdoorsman himself, was also instrumental in helping Wells plan and execute this trip. Wells plans to reach the end of the trail in July.