Phyllis Graber Jensen

Phyllis produces photography and video for college news and major marketing pieces, including web-based multimedia. She has strategic oversight of story-telling video projects.

pjensen@bates.edu

Stories by Phyllis Graber Jensen
Slideshow: This Month at Bates

Monday, February 22, 2021 2:30 pm

Just before Thanksgiving, Bates hunkered down for a long winter. But as students returned in mid-February, everyone’s step quickened, and life began anew.

Prof of Environmental Studies and Christian A. Johnson Prof of Interdisc Studies Holly Ewing and Lecturer in Environmental Studies & Learning Associate in Environmental Studies Camille Parrish take students in the Soils/Lab course for a field trip to Pettengill Farm in Freeport, Maine. A nineteenth century salt-water farm on the estuary of the Harraseeket River, the farm is owned by Freeport Historical Society(FHS). It includes a saltbox house (ca. 1800) on 140 acres of fields, woods, antique apple orchards and salt marsh. Most interesting are the etchings (sgraffitti) found on the plaster walls in the upper chambers of ships, sea monsters, longboats and animals. The farmhouse remains without plumbing, central heat and electricity and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Mildred Pettengill was its last resident and lived in the house until 1970.The students are digging up soil and making observations (soil profiles) before putting it back where it came from.ENVR 310 - Soils/LabDepending on one's point of view, soils are geological units, ecosystems, the foundation of plant life, a place for microbes to live, building material, or just dirt. This course takes a scientific perspective and explores the genesis of soils, their distribution and characteristics, and their interaction with plants. Field studies emphasize description of soils, inferences about soil formation, and placement within a landscape context. Labs investigate the chemistry of soils and their role in forestry and agriculture.
Bates students dig into the science of dirt in a historic Maine landscape

Monday, December 7, 2020 5:46 pm

Bates environmental studies professor Holly Ewing guides her students to historic coastal Maine farmland for course that digs into the science of dirt.

Setbacks and successes: How students navigated academic surprises in the fall 2020 semester

Tuesday, December 1, 2020 8:01 am

For every challenge or setback — and let’s be clear, this was very difficult on our students — they often found something that worked, something that felt “normal,” and someone who gave them a little help. Read how seven Bates students fared.

Slideshow: This Month at Bates

Tuesday, November 17, 2020 9:53 am

It’s been a remarkably challenging and unprecedented few months. But let’s not forget to call it safe and successful, too.

Slideshow: What they brought for comfort

Monday, November 2, 2020 6:13 pm

We talked to Bates students about the treasured objects, from juggling clubs to house plants, that they brought with them to ease the stress of being away from home during a pandemic. 

The Maple tree, as seen from the third floor of Hedge Hall.
Slideshow: This Month at Bates

Monday, October 19, 2020 6:55 pm

We shouldn’t worry, but each September we do: Will this year’s campus...

Zoe Knauss '23 of Buffalo, N.Y., who will declare as an ES major, and ES major Sam Gilman '22 of Mendham, N.J., , dig for soil in a field.Prof of Environmental Studies and Christian A. Johnson Prof of Interdisc Studies Holly Ewing and Lecturer in Environmental Studies & Learning Associate in Environmental Studies Camille Parrish take students in the Soils/Lab course for a field trip to Pettengill Farm in Freeport, Maine. A nineteenth century salt-water farm on the estuary of the Harraseeket River, the farm is owned by Freeport Historical Society(FHS). It includes a saltbox house (ca. 1800) on 140 acres of fields, woods, antique apple orchards and salt marsh. Most interesting are the etchings (sgraffitti) found on the plaster walls in the upper chambers of ships, sea monsters, longboats and animals. The farmhouse remains without plumbing, central heat and electricity and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Mildred Pettengill was its last resident and lived in the house until 1970.The students are digging up soil and making observations (soil profiles) before putting it back where it came from.ENVR 310 - Soils/LabDepending on one's point of view, soils are geological units, ecosystems, the foundation of plant life, a place for microbes to live, building material, or just dirt. This course takes a scientific perspective and explores the genesis of soils, their distribution and characteristics, and their interaction with plants. Field studies emphasize description of soils, inferences about soil formation, and placement within a landscape context. Labs investigate the chemistry of soils and their role in forestry and agriculture.
Picture story: “Thankful to get off campus and my hands dirty”

Thursday, October 8, 2020 4:01 pm

Follow along as Bates environmental studies students go off campus and dig into the science of dirt at a stunning coastal Maine site.

Slideshow: This Month at Bates

Monday, September 21, 2020 2:11 pm

Six feet and masks mark our lives but the members of our community fill Bates with a love of learning and each other. Take a look at This Month at Bates and count the ways.

Slideshow: See how students’ internships become life-guiding forces

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 12:30 pm

From studying the diets of sea urchins to working with Lewiston's immigrant communities, Bates students forged their way into the world this summer with Bates-funded internships.

Slideshow: This Summer at Bates

Monday, August 10, 2020 12:52 pm

Under the pall of COVID-19, summer at Bates was quieter (and warmer) than usual. Still, the sun continued to rise and set each day of June, July, and August.

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