May 12, 2014

Elephant rides, exotic cuisine and tours of timeless temples comprise just a smattering of what awaits a dozen Amarillo College Presidential Scholars bound for Cambodia and Thailand.

The 10-day sojourn begins May 16 and fulfills the promise of unique travel opportunities afforded AC’s Presidential Scholars—this one given impetus by the College’s most recent Common Reader, Wine to Water by Doc Hendley.

Under the direction of Judy Carter, Honors Program coordinator, and Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, vice president of academic affairs, the AC cohort will descend on Bangkok and Phnom Penh not only with a thirst for knowledge, but with a knowledge of thirst.

Wine to Water details Hendley’s extraordinary journey from bartender to founder of the non-profit Wine to Water organization that seeks throughout the world to quench the collective thirst of the innumerably impoverished.

While there is no lack of water in Southeast Asia, what is commonly consumed is largely contaminated. Infectious disease abounds. The AC Scholars will therefore expend considerable scrutiny on the efforts of Rural Development International—Cambodia (RDIC) to learn how that body strives to provide sustainable and affordable clean-water solutions to the region.

“I’m very excited to see a land where people have a completely different culture, language and lifestyle,” said Abbie Biggers, a biology major who has her sights set on a career in medicine. “I value service to others and look forward to playing a small part in sanitation awareness.”

Each AC Scholar has spent considerable time conducting research in advance of this trip, focusing on areas associated with their individual studies. Hannah Lang is a speech pathology major whose interest lies in how persons with disabilities are treated in the region.

“I expect this experience to not only give me a new respect for the culture I find there, but to open my eyes more in appreciation to the resources we have for the disabled here at home,” Lang said. “People with disabilities over there, I’ve learned, are treated as though they have bad karma and sadly are left to fend for themselves.”

Jack Truelock, an engineering major, is looking forward to the cohort’s visit to Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world.

“There are fascinating details about the temple that make it unique,” Truelock said. “It took 30 years to build and though I’ve seen pictures of it and studied a great deal about it, just being there in person to confirm my research will be amazing.”

Jackie Smith, coordinator of program operations for AC’s Panhandle PBS television station will accompany the group and provide video documentation.

The Presidential Scholar Honors Program annually serves 30 full-time students who must maintain a 3.5 grade point average and survive a rigorous application process.

Payton Julian, a freshman speech major, was unaware of the existence of the Honors Program when she chose at the last minute to attend AC. But during the enrollment process an academic advisor, noting the grades Julian achieved at Randall High School, suggested she pursue the Honors pathway at AC.

“Traveling is my dream, my passion, and it always has been,” Julian said, “but I’ve only been outside Texas once—to Florida. “I applied to AC late, was told I could register for the Honors Program, had an interview, and now I’m going to Cambodia!

“I love the cultural ideas of face and karma and past lives. I want to learn all I can about that because I believe it will change my perspectives of the world.”

To learn more about the AC Presidential Scholars Honor Program and/or the upcoming journey to Southeast Asia, contact Judy Carter at 806-371-5998.