Amber McKenna

Editor in chief

A long-time interest in learning about space travel is sending Martin Bode, class of 2008, to Stuttgart, Germany, on a Fulbright Scholarship for the current academic year.

Bode left this week for the Institute of Space Systems,  where he will study xenon particles and temperature in plasma ion engines and work on developing more efficient technology for space exploration.

The Fulbright program is intended to further understanding of cultures world wide through study, research and teaching. Since 1999, 16 Linfield students have received these prestigious awards.

Bode graduated last spring with an applied physics major and minors in math and music.

Deborah Olsen, Bode’s Fulbright adviser, said he was adamant about obtaining this award.

“We would be e-mailing each other at all hours of the night and day,” Olsen said.

Bode’s extra effort to achieve the Fulbright award showed in his commitment to taking beginning German during his senior year at Linfield, which he continued this summer at Oregon State University in his hometown of Corvallis.

Previously, Bode did research alongside Linfield professors and as part of the Pennsylvania State University Student Space Programs. While at Linfield he participated in Residence Life, ASLC Senate, Sigma Pi Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, concert choir, jazz band, concert band and Ultimate Frisbee.

“Marty is a fine saxophone player and he hopes to join an ensemble in Germany,” Olsen said.

After staying in Stuttgart, Bode plans to do his doctoral studies at Purdue University.