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Key Points:

• Taylor Stone 鈥�26 graduated from LVC in just three years with triple majors in History, Political Science, and Creative Arts.
• Her senior research explored how climate change threatens cultural heritage and identity around the world.
• She presented her work at LVC鈥檚 annual Inquiry celebration and at the Pennsylvania Museums Conference.
• Her study abroad experience in the Netherlands helped inspire her research and future goals.

When Taylor Stone 鈥�26 arrived at Lebanon 芭乐视频官网 College, her only expectation was to try her hardest and make her supporters proud. After graduating in three years, Stone said she accomplished more than she previously thought she would.

鈥淚 added a third major with one year before graduation in a subject that I would have never thought about pursuing as a first-year student. I spoke at the Pennsylvania Museums Conference in April, which seemed impossible just last semester. I am grateful for all the opportunities that I have been provided and just in awe of how much I was able to do in three years,鈥� said Stone.

Stone graduated in May as a triple major in History, Political Science, and Creative Arts. History blossomed as her passion as early as her elementary school years before growing through AP courses in high school. Her interests reached peak bloom during her Senior Seminar class at LVC, when she had to write a paper about climate change.

鈥淲ith the current political climate and the lack of funding for cultural preservation, I wanted to connect this interest of heritage to the environment,鈥� said Stone. 鈥淭here is currently a gap in literature on this topic, so it felt important to me to bring awareness to how a person鈥檚 sense of identity is altered or adapted to a forever changing environment.鈥�

Stone wrote her paper, which she presented at the College鈥檚 annual Inquiry celebration of scholarly and creative works, focusing on how climate change is affecting cultural heritage, specifically the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. These are natural and cultural landmarks across the globe that are considered to have outstanding universal value to humanity through exceptional natural beauty or historical, scientific, or cultural importance.

鈥淥ne point I would like people to know about this topic is that people鈥檚 livelihoods are at risk with a rise in sea level or temperature. Every part of a person鈥檚 being is influenced by ancestry, community, or national heritage one way or another. When climate change affects a region, a sense of self and community can disappear because that connection to the land is no longer there or the population is forced to migrate to other places. Heritage should not be focused on just when it is at risk but rather should be celebrated and preserved before the traditions are lost forever,鈥� said Stone.

While researching her paper, Stone drew on her summer study abroad experience in the Netherlands. She witnessed a city that had the funds to preserve a Roman wall, Jesuit caves, and various churches that had been there for centuries. This planted the seed about how the city would change if heritage preservation was uncommon or lacked resources. In addition to inspiration for her research, Stone鈥檚 time abroad fueled her desire to attend an international graduate school program.

鈥淧ursuing studies abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity,鈥� said Stone. 鈥淎pply to any place that has your intended program. Things might not align properly in that moment, but there is only one way to find out.鈥�

Stone will pursue a master鈥檚 program in Heritage and Memory Studies at the University of Amsterdam, one of the cities she visited during her summer studies. Her future career goals include working in a museum or a heritage center, either in the U.S. or abroad, while focusing on looted objects and restitution.