Wendy Berner '06

An economics and music double major and member of the Laurentian Singers and the Gospel Choir, Wendy received a University Fellowship to research the tradition of vocal music at St. Lawrence, a project for the University’s Sesquicentennial. Working with Assistant Professor and Chair of Music David Henderson, principally in summer 2004, she scoured St. Lawrence’s archival resources, and contacted a great many alumni for the oral history component of the paper.  

"The response from alumni was overwhelming. Everyone was so eager to share stories of how important music was in their experience of St. Lawrence."

As she explains in her introduction, “Singing—whether it be with a large mixed choir, a smaller a cappella ensemble, or fraternity and sorority brothers and sisters—has enriched the college years of many St. Lawrence students.” Her paper is divided into three sections: “Musical activities to about the middle of the 20th century; vocal organizations, with greater attention to the emergence of groups like the Laurentian Singers and the Saints and Sinners in the middle of the 20th century; (and) informal singing on campus in the latter half of the 20th century.”   As she enters her senior year, Wendy ranks number 1 in her class and will be inducted into the national honor society Phi Beta Kappa on September 24. She’s also a member of the lacrosse team and of the leadership honorary Omicron Delta Kappa.