Tusculum University professor receives fellowship from the Appalachian College Association

Dr. Susan Monteleone, the lead faculty of the environmental science department at Tusculum University, has received a fellowship from the Appalachian College Association in order to study an at-risk species of flower, the yellow marsh marigold.

According to an article on Tusculum University’s website, Dr. Monteleone was quoted as saying of receiving the fellowship for her research, “We live, work and play in one of the most environmentally rich regions of the country, and it is vital that we take all possible measures to protect and preserve the natural treasures we are blessed to enjoy. I am grateful to the Appalachian College Association and the university for supporting this research of an important species with the goal of sustaining the yellow marsh marigold and enabling it to flourish moving forward.”

Dr. Monteleone’s research will take place this upcoming spring and summer, and the area in which she will be working is Phineas Fen in the Unaka Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest. The yellow marsh marigold is an endangered flower species and while recent research has been done about the medicinal properties of the flower, she is intending to focus her research on other aspects of the plant that could lead to it shedding its endangered status, such as its growth, seed dispersal, and reproduction. The flowers bloom from mid-April to June. Recently, a transplantation project took place to attempt to bring the plants from Allen Gap to the marshy Phineas Fen. That effort resulted in 20% of the transplanted flowers surviving.

Since becoming a Tusculum faculty member in 2017, Dr. Monteleone has led her students in numerous educational experiences, including experiential learning within the Paul E. Hayden Educational Wetland and the university’s arboretum. Under her guidance, her students have presented their own research at the Academic Symposium and at the Natural Sciences Department’s senior seminar.

Dr. Heather Henson-Ramsey, who serves as the dean of the College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, praised Dr. Monteleone’s achievements, saying, “We are extremely proud of Dr. Monteleone, who is a valuable member of our environmental science program. Research is a key component of the student experience at Tusculum, and Dr. Monteleone expertly guides our Pioneers to develop their skills in this practice. Her mentoring equips them to be career-ready professionals and pursue further academic studies. Seeing her participate in more research of her own reinforces the value of such work, inspires our students and demonstrates the university’s commitment to civic engagement.”

For more information about Tusculum University, visit the school’s website.