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Biology Transfer Students Present 'Bee-Aware Event: Spreading Awareness of Pollinators and DIY Insect Hotels'

Students from Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«’s Biology Transitions Program recently researched the role of pollinators in the environment and created an event to highlight the critical roles insects play in our environment. The October 30 event was designed to educate the community on how to develop habitats by creating and displaying “Insect Hotels.” These structures support several different beneficial insects in the ecosystem in which they are placed.

The “Bee Aware Event: Spreading Awareness of Pollinators and DIY Insect Hotels” was presented on the university green at Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«’s main campus in Romeoville. Transitions students and members of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« community assembled insect hotels from recycled materials. These will be placed along Burnham Centennial Nature Trail to provide over-wintering sites for insects.

Participating students in the Biology Transitions Scholarship program, along with professors Dr. Marne Bailey (Minooka) and Jeannette Pifer (Lockport), include Faith Alfrejd of Midlothian, Patrycja Bafia of Orland Park, Lexi Banas of Coal City, Morgan Buell of Shorewood,  Ryann Cook of Orland Park, Samantha Dorencz of Lockport, Angelique Feder of Schaumburg, Agnes Florczyk of Orland Park, Eujean Kang of Crest Hill, Noor Kasem of Tinley Park, Amna Kazmi of Romeoville, Mia Macias of Plainfield, Stephannie Orozco of  Lockport, Amanda Stepien of Romeoville, Angelica Vega of Justice, Alyssa Walsh of  Posen, and  Zainab Yaseen of Woodridge.

Transitions students Noor Kasem and Stephanie Orozco, along with Lewis alumna Lizbeth Orozco (‘19 Environmental Science) and Dr. Marne Bailey, visited Meyer’s Bees, an apiary in Minooka which is locally owned by two Lewis alumni, Dave Meyer and Cathy Meyer. The Meyers provided a great description of what their daily lives consist of while tending to their bees. They sell a variety of tools to assist new beekeepers and breed queen bees. They gave a tour of their farm and explained how and when to harvest honey. Honey is a vital ingredient to keeping the bees alive throughout the winter months, and honey bees are a vital insect to the ecosystem because they are the most important pollinators of food crops.   

The Biology Transitions program supports transfer students with demonstrated financial need and academic promise to succeed in STEM disciplines at Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«. A nearly $1 million National Science Foundation grant provides funding for 28 scholarships over five years for transfer students who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« is an innovative and forward-thinking Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,300 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected and socially responsible graduates. Visit for further information.