When she’s not working in admissions over the summer, Celia Midtbo is live-trapping squirrels in the bluffs that surround campus.
Comparing Minnesota flying squirrels to southern squirrels, Midtbo is studying and comparing their use of ultrasonic communication for her senior research project.
It’s practical experience for this environmental biology major from Minneapolis whose future dreams include working with wildlife animals.
“I did an internship with plants, and although I learned a lot, it made me realize I would like to do something on the wildlife side,” she said. “Growing up, I’ve always liked the outdoors. Dad’s side of the family is very outdoorsy. And I have uncles and cousins who are DNR officers, and I always liked those stories, so thought that was an area I’d be interested in studying.”
Midtbo first examined Saint Mary’s for its hockey team — and because her mother, who is an alumna, encouraged her daughter to consider attending her alma mater. Her grandparents and an uncle also attended, and now the legacy continues.
When Midtbo took her tour, she was also excited to learn more about environmental biology as well as the university’s GeoSpatial Services (GSS).
“Something really cool here is the GSS program,” she said. “Most environmental biology majors have worked at least one semester there, learning about mapping wetlands, and it sets you up for internship opportunities. It’s nice to learn and get paid at the same time.”
Midtbo has particularly enjoyed her lab courses and opportunities she’s had to go into the bluffs and study wildlife conservation. Ultimately, it’s the people at Saint Mary’s, its size, and the campus itself that she touts the most.
“The big draw for me was the smaller class sizes. You really get to know everyone on campus,” she said. “You always see a face you know. You also get to know professors, and they get to know you. You get that one-on-one connection. At a big school you don’t get that. I love the outdoors and the bluffs, so the campus is in a perfect little area for me.”
