University of New England

Nexus

Studying in Paradise

UNE student-athlete Kristen Kelly '07 describes her academic experience in Hawaii

by Curt Smyth

University of New England student-athlete and marine biology major Kristen Kelly of Waterbury, Conn., spent nearly six months – from January 2006 through July 2006 – in “paradise,” studying at Hawaii Pacific University with her friend Ashley Cannon.

Kelly lived on the Loa Campus on Oahu, where she took a regular load of courses and utilized the landscape for lab opportunities. She resided with the first-year students on a campus that was, as Kelly put it, “in the middle of nowhere,” between two highways and within walking distance of nothing. With no personal vehicle, Kelly had to rely on the island’s public transportation system, which frequently was off -schedule and did not allow passengers to take surfboards on the buses, a problem for the surfing enthusiast.

With the end of classes in May, Kelly began an internship at NOAA Fisheries, where she observed monk seals and took a class through the university where she lived on a small research island in Kaneohe Bay, conducting reef surveys at the many patch reefs in the bay and studying the collector urchin Tripneustes gratilla. Many times while snorkeling, she and other students would attract hammerhead sharks, earning Kelly the nickname, “Fish Bait.”

Kelly readily admits that the summer was her favorite part of the trip. “I loved that class and aspire to be just like our teacher,” said Kelly. “I was in the bay snorkeling every day and was totally immersed in the scientific community. I met so many research scientists ‘living the dream.’ I was living right in Waikiki and could walk to everything and finally run in the beautiful parks.”

Kelly managed to balance her educational commitments with the quest to further her meteoric rise as one of the top runners in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) by running six miles a day, six days a week. She initially had trouble training as she had envisioned herself running on the beach, soaking up panoramic views. Located far from the coast, the campus’ location robbed her of those opportunities, but she persevered, thanks in large part to her inner drive to succeed.

An all-CCC selection in 2005, Kelly has demonstrated vast improvement in her time with the Nor’easters’ cross-country program. In her first season, she failed to finish in UNE’s Top 5 at any point, but improved consistently her second year. Last season, she was the first UNE runner to cross the finish line in each of the team’s eight events, including a first-place overall finish at the Fitchburg State College Invitational. Kelly kicked off the 2006 season with a win at the UNE Invitational.

Like so many of UNE’s student-athletes, Kelly balances the daily challenge of a rigorous academic schedule and the commitment to her team. She is a two-time CCC Academic All-Conference selection with a cumulative GPA of 3.51 who finds time to serve as vice president of the Outing Club and is also involved with the UNE Mentoring Program, the SCUBA Club and the Cycling Club and is in the process of starting a surf club.

When asked if she plans to return to Hawaii at any point, she quickly shot a smile. “Absolutely,” Kelly responded. “I promised everyone when I left that I’d be back as soon as I could.”

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