1 August 2008
Maureen Hoffmann
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Dear NMNH Office of the Director,
I wish to extend my deepest thanks to you for sponsoring my internship
with the Research Training Program (RTP) at the National Museum of Natural
History this summer. Your support of the RTP has allowed me a summer
I will never forget. It is a rare experience to be able to work at the
Smithsonian and I will certainly remember my time here forever.
Through the RTP, I have finally had the chance to conduct original
research in my field: Linguistics. Though I have benefited from strong
academic instruction, it was not until my time at the Smithsonian that
I was able to put that learning to use. This summer I have had the tremendous
opportunity to work with Dr. Ives Goddard, a distinguished linguist,
investigating the phonological properties of Unami, a language whose
last speaker died in 2000. This experience has provided a spring-board
for my future plans, which include conducting my own research on endangered
languages and the people who speak them.
The benefits of participation in the RTP have ranged far wider than
my personal research project, though. Your support has allowed me an
invaluable chance to experience life in our nation's capital. Living
on the campus of George Washington University in central DC has afforded
me countless amazing memories, from my daily walk past the White House
and national monuments to regular visits to the premier museums in the
country. This city is like no other and I am grateful for the chance
I have received to experience it first-hand with my fellow interns.
Together we enjoyed exploring the city and all it has to offer.
The Research Training Program truly is a unique and amazing program
for aspiring students in natural history. Nowhere else is it possible
to get the support and resources that have been available to me this
summer. I am extremely grateful to you for providing me with the chance
to be part of the RTP and the Smithsonian.
Sincerely,
Maureen Hoffmann
Research Training Program
Class of '08