Student Resources
2018
Amal Ismail: Although my major is in the physical sciences, I had a deep interest in getting involved in research in the field of religious studies during my undergraduate years because of my minor in Interfaith Leadership Studies. This led me to ask my New Testament Professor, Dr. Richard Newton if he had any research opportunities for the summer or semester. Although digital curation was not the first thing that came to my mind when I thought of research in religious studies, I am very grateful for my participation in this project. I encourage all undergrad students looking for research opportunities to speak to faculty at their academic institutions so their interests are known. I don't think I would have ever been able to participate in something like this unless I approached Professor about my interest. I have gained an incredible amount of skills and knowledge that I will be able to use for the rest of my undergraduate career and beyond.
Hannah Ciocco: Ever since I was a first-year student at Elizabethtown College, I knew that I wanted to be a part of a larger project that would benefit others. Being a part of the digital curation of the Puffenberger Collection of Religious Artifacts has provided me with the opportunity to create something that will benefit Elizabethtown College and beyond. Additionally, I am very grateful for the opportunity to handle artifacts and use advanced technologies in order to catalog and establish the collection online. My future plans include becoming a museum curator, and this project has provided me with hands-on experience that I would have not otherwise received. Throughout the project, I have gained a friend and skills that will be important to me well into the future.
2018 Podcasts: Throughout the duration of this project, Hannah and Amal recorded a few podcasts expressing their thoughts, opinions, struggles, and feelings as they were creating the Digital Collection of Religious Artifacts.
2019
Tyler Gamble: I came to do this project because religion is my passion. I have tried my best to study every religion or tradition that I could even go as far as learning long since extinct traditions. I came across this project when I was talking to Dr. Long during an advising meeting. I was looking over what was still needed to graduate and had to choose between a research class and an internship. When I asked Dr. Long about what religious studies internships were available, he suggested this project. Immediately, I was myself doing this because it was perfect. I had done work like this before at museum and because it fit both my religious studies and anthropology internship requirements it was the perfect fit.
Mahmood Mohammad: Throughout my time here at Elizabethtown College, I have admired the Puffenberger collection from an aesthetic point of view. So, when Dr. Long presented me with this research position, I was delighted to continue the work that was started by Amal and Hanah. The Puffenberger collection offers a broad representation of religious artifacts from across the world, and it has provided me the opportunity to advance in my undergrad learning experience.
2019 Podcasts: Throughout the duration of this project, Tyler and Moh recorded a few podcasts expressing their thoughts, opinions, struggles, and feelings as they were creating the Digital Collection of Religious Artifacts.
2019 behind the sense video:
2019 Landmark Conference presentation: On July 11th, Tyler and Moh had the opportunity to present titled "The Buddhist Art Found in the Puffenberger collection." Here is a video recording of their presentation.
RESOURCES
The creation of the William V. Puffenberger Digital Collection of Religious Artifacts could not have been possible without the help of these resources.
Website: Omeka.net, Wordpress
Videos: Youtube.com, iMovie
Photos: Google Photos
Communication: Microsoft Teams
Podcast: Soundcloud.com, Garageband
Code: HTML, CSS, embedresponsively.com
Links: High Library, sacredtexts.com