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SIXTH SEMESTER IN A ROW… LET’S SEND IT! Join psychology professor Bryan Shilowich and special guest Leslie Berntsen as we climb Point Dume and enjoy some well-needed beach time before finals. When it comes to activities (besides climbing), the sky’s the limit—possible moves include watching Bryan juggle, body surfing, scavenging for some sick shells, throwing frisbees, playing Go Fish, and making new friends.
No climbing experience is necessary to go on this trip! Point Dume is a well-known spot that’s perfect for beginners. We’ll set up two routes on either side of the cliff (beach AND ocean view…) so you’ll have plenty of time to learn the ropes.
PACKING LIST:
Climbing gear (if you have it!)
H2O
Sunscreen
Lunch/snacks
Beach supplies (swimsuit, towel, card games, Spikeball… whatever your heart desires)
WAIVERS
WE WILL PROVIDE:
Climbing gear (shoes, harness, helmets, ropes, etc.)
Juggling equipment
Good vibes
PROFESSOR: Bryan Shilowich
DEPARTMENT: Psychology
RATE MY PROFESSOR: "Take him if you get the chance, you won't regret it!”
Bryan received his Ph.D. from USC in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and now teaches in the Psychology department. Before becoming a Trojan, Bryan earned his B.A. in Economics at Tufts and a Masters in Neuroscience at Brandeis University. Outside of the cognitive sciences, he loves acting, painting, juggling, making music, woodworking, and photography. He also was on twelve episodes of SNL as a kid—check out that IMDb!
SPECIAL GUEST: Leslie Berntsen
ROLE: Director of Education and Research at the Story Collider (and Queen of Point Dume)
CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE: https://www.leslie-bern.com/
Leslie completed her Ph.D. at our very own USC in 2018 with dissertation research focused on the genetic and environmental bases of prosociality. She’s also a former faculty member who taught Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. Now, Leslie serves as the inaugural Director of Education and Research at the The Story Collider, a non-profit organization dedicated to highlighting the human side of science through the art of personal storytelling. (She basically hosts stand-up comedy shows, but for science. Ask her about this!).
In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, hanging out with her two (flawless) rehabilitated street pups, trying to perfect her mom's Nicaraguan home-cooking, and unabashedly living up to her high school superlative ("Most Likely to Color-Code Her Plans to Grassroots Resistance").
PEAK: Point Dume
DIFFICULTY: 2.5/5
SCENERY: Volcanic rock tidepools, yellow wildflowers, and potential harbor seal/dolphin/whale spottings… this place has everything!
FUN FACT: The cove (behind the cliff in this photo) was a popular ~clothing-optional~ meeting spot in the 1960s and '70s.
TRIP LEAD: Lauren
is scared of heights (contrary to popular belief)
Contact Lauren: laurena4@usc.edu
Read Lauren’s bio here.