At a liberal arts college, students often find that their courses
and research projects propel them
down new and exciting paths. Eric Reile's research project is one such
journey. He's analyzing the rapid population fluctuation of the ancient
culture on Easter Island
in the southeastern Pacific, using an unusual combination of methods.
Using mathematical tools and modeling software, Eric is working to create an accurate model of the population's incline and decline, but it's not really that simple. The history of the people of Easter Island is a mystery because they had no form of written language or formal history, so Eric spends most of his time doing background research based on archaeological and anecdotal evidence.
"It's not only about taking numbers and creating graphs, but also doing research and making conclusions about a group of people and their way of life," said Eric. His project, which has anthropological, geographical, and historical aspects, is a perfect example of how courses at Hamilton connect to one another in unexpected and exciting ways.
Eric credits his project advisor, Professor Larry Knop, for giving him valuable advice and direction that he is sure to take with him after he graduates: "Professor Knop taught me that there isn't always a direct route to figuring things out. Often, you must use clues and chase down different leads. Just because something isn't evident does not mean it's nonexistent," he said.
The interconnectedness of his research and classes is one of the reasons Eric chose to attend Hamilton. He enjoys the College's versatility, the lack of distribution requirements, and the close-knit college community.
With a potential career in finance after Hamilton, Reile is finding his research very helpful: "There is a clear connection between mathematics, economics, and people. Similarly, there is a clear connection between all of those things and finance." Perhaps the lessons learned at Hamilton connect not only to one another, but also to life after college.
