BYU-Hawaii senior Lindsay Yamauchi is making the most of her college academic experience through a "student research associateship" that allows undergradate students on campus to participate directly in a professor's research agenda.
When the opportunity to do such an associateship came, Yamauchi, an Oahu native and double major in International Cultural Studies-Anthropology and History, jumped on it and hasn't looked back since.
"When the opportunity arrived, I couldn't believe it," she said. "It came at a pivotal point in my college career, at a time when I had no idea of what direction I needed to take to attain the next level in my education. I knew the offer came as a blessing from Heavenly Father, so I took it. That is the main reason as to why I became so interested in the program."
Yamauchi teamed up with BYU-Hawaii History and Religion professor Kerry Muhlestein and assisted in researching the "multivalence of Egyptian threat formula."
"Some scholars argue Egyptian threats/curses were only enacted upon in the mortal realm, or in reverse, in the immortal realm," she explained. "However our research was geared toward indicating how the threats were, in fact, multi-functional. Basically, they were not only enforced either on earth or in the afterlife, but rather in both worlds."
The culmination of Yamauchi's research experience came at a recent conference held at the University of Arizona on behalf of the annual American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE).
Throughout the three-day conference, many presentations were given by various scholars from universities and other institutions around the nation. "The presentations differed, but were centrally related to the topic of Egyptology," Yamauchi said. "Another purpose for the conference was to address any updates within the organization."
"I introduced us and did the first 12 minutes of the 20-minute presentation, after which Lindsay read the last section of the paper for the last 8 minutes," Dr. Muhlestein said. "She did a fabulous job and handled herself with such poise and confidence, and read the paper in such an understandable and attractive manner, that I honestly feel she did a better job of presenting than all of the Ph.D.s in the session."
"Dr. Muhlestein inquired of my interests in assisting him in his research and I was drawn in immediately," Yamauchi responded. "I have always been interested in studying ancient Egyptian history, so I could not pass up the opportunity to become more acquainted with the topic ."
As the only undergraduate representative at the conference, Yamauchi admitted she felt some intimidation being surrounded by scholars from all over the nation, but also felt somewhat relieved when she discovered some of the others were just as nervous as she was.
"This experience made me realize how important it is to overcome some of those fears in life in order to achieve your goals," she said. "Once you deplete the unnecessary fears, your goals become much more reachable."
Dr. Muhlestein said he received many positive comments from the conference participants on the BYU-Hawaii student research associateship program. "All were extremely impressed that we would have the program, have such a good student, and that we would support the student in attending and presenting at the conference. I believe it made a very favorable impression on a great number of people," he said.
Yamauchi pointed out she did not know a student-mentor program existed on campus until Dr. Muhlestein encouraged interested students to utilize such opportunities. "I feel this is a very important program the school has to offer. It is highly beneficial for students to take advantage of such an opportunity," she said.
"The multi-cultural environment alone has played an integral part in my education at BYU-Hawaii," Yamauchi continued, emphasizing how the program complimented her overall academic experience. "Having exposure to a variety of people from around the world has given me a better perspective of who I am and how I fit within the global context. This university has a unique ambiance, and I am grateful for all I have managed to experience here in my short duration."