Amy Correll of Somerset, a Gerontology minor in WKU Aging and a student in the Honors College at WKU, never dreamed that her three-week project to Kenya would be so exciting.
During an August research trip to Kenya, WKU student Amy Correll (right) met with Sarah Obama, Kenya’s “Goodwill Ambassador” and President Obama’s grandmother.
While in Migori County in August, Correll met with more than 20 elders (age 60+) to examine how they perceived their own health and well-being.
At the conclusion of her research, Correll was able to meet with Sarah Obama, Kenya’s “Goodwill Ambassador” and biological grandmother of President Obama, at her home in Kogelo, Kenya.
“Through our meeting I was able to share the findings of my research and discuss with her plans for development,” Correll said. “Mrs. Obama was very supportive of my efforts and offered valuable advice for implementation of my ideas. In addition, she shared with me her efforts to empower widows through her projects such as ‘Grandmothers Against Malaria.’ I am grateful for her hospitality and willingness to continue support of my goals.”
Correll was the recipient of a WKU Faculty-Undergraduate Student Engagement (FUSE) grant that helped pay for her international travel to Kenya and made it possible for her to combine her passion for gerontology with geriatric health care research.
Working with her advisor, Dr. Dana Burr Bradley, Correll will turn her findings into her Honors thesis on Geriatric Health Studies and a report that will be used by village leaders as they plan for older adult needs in Migori County.
For information on WKU Aging contact Dr. Bradley at aging@wku.edu; for information about WKU’s FUSE scholarships, contact WKU’s Office of Research at fuse@wku.edu; for information about the Honors College at WKU, contact honors@wku.edu.
Contact: Dr. Dana Burr Bradley, (270) 745-2356.
(Source: WKU News, Sep 30, 2013)
