News
GVSU student spends two weeks on a research vessel during a "career experience"
October 02, 2023
"We spent very little time in the classroom, it was probably around 60 hours on a research vessel in those two weeks,” said Delaney Novach.
Novach, a Grand Valley State University student, spent two weeks of her summer taking a Great Lakes Technology course at Northwestern Michigan College. The course is designed to instruct students on lake research equipment, its calibration and operation.
Much of the time in the class was spent on a 56-foot research vessel, The Northwestern, owned by the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute; this vessel served as the main classroom for Novach.
Novach said one of her most enjoyable experiences on this vessel was operating the ROVs (Remotely operated vehicles) that would scan the lake floor.
“We are all wearing these headsets, communicating to multiple pilots, multiple people reading sonar, and a team guiding the cable off the side of the research vessel, it felt like a real career experience,” said Novach.
Originally from the Lake St. Clair area. Novach is majoring in geology at GVSU, and her goals are to work towards a career in hydrographic surveying, or other careers encompassing fresh water and hydrology.
“Because it’s a class teaching you how to calibrate the equipment, we were able to look at a lot of different things on the lake floor,” she said. “Since I am a geology student, I asked to analyze dirt samples, and everyone gets that personal experience.” The class is open to GVSU students in a variety of majors.
Novach was able to study Zebra Mussels, Round Goby, and Quagga mussels, all invasive species in the Traverse City Bay area. They even looked at lake sediment and tapped samples. Novach said she had the opportunity to explore the future work of her career.
"The class encompassed many areas of study because the type of equipment we are using could be applied anywhere,” said Novach. “I was working with freshwater studies majors, hydrographic technicians, biologists, and even members of the community that just wanted to know more about the hydrology of the lakes in general."
Novach gained access to the course through her advisors at GVSU.
"I just talked to awesome people who listened to my situation and were able to provide me with everything I needed, whether it was the credit I needed or a place to stay," said Novach.
Living in Grand Rapids, Novach stayed with some family friends for a week in Traverse city, then was graciously hosted by Jackie Abeyta, a GVSU advisor who lives and works in Traverse City. Novach was shocked by her generosity and care.
"Everyone there is ready to welcome you in and make you a part of their community," Novach said.
Novach was especially impacted by her NMC instructors Hans Van Sumeren and John Lutchko. Spending much of their time together in two weeks, and in a classroom of only 13, she got to know everyone very well.
"Both of these men were so enthusiastic about the work that they were doing so passionate about teaching this technology and the science to a younger generation," she said. Leaving the class after two weeks was hard for Novach, but she said she felt nothing but acceptance and generosity for her new NMC community.
"The NMC instructors made it very clear I was a part of the inner circle now, a student, an alumni, and I was welcome back anytime," said Novach
by Thomas Garrett