The FYRES class gathered near the top of a dune during Lab 1 on September 3rd, 2026.
Students
Adrian Scheurs
Angelisse Vogel
Environmental Health and Conservation Major
Hometown: Grandville, MI
Interesting Fact: Has been caving 300 ft. below the surface!
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? It's a really hands on course. I like the longer labs and many people I talked to really encouraged me to do it.
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? I think one highlight from the course is doing the iconic stretches to remember types of dunes. Another highlight is doing all of the labs. We get to hang out on a dune, close to the water, and the weather has been so nice almost every time we're out there. I learn much more when I'm doing stuff and I love learning how to survey the dunes, learning how they work, and then actually seeing how they change in real time. I like the people in my class, and I love Deanna as a professor. I like that I'm learning information that I can use in my future job. I also like that I can go out on a hike, see a random dune, and relate it back to what I've learned in class.
Bea Arnoys
Elementary Education Major
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Interesting Fact: Really enjoys being outside
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? Going out and exploring dunes- I have always been interested in the changing environment of dunes.
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? Building relationships with all my classmates; this is truly such a special group.
Charlie Corder
Physics/Geology Major
Hometown: Greenville, MI
Interesting Fact: Can make a cricket noise
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? First year research
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? being able to go out to lake Michigan almost every single week.
Clara Hart
Environmental Studies Major
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Interesting Fact: Sings and plays ukelele
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? Professor Van Dijk reached out about it.
Dian Goosen
Geography Minor
Hometown: Koster, South Africa
Interesting Fact: Has lived in 3 different countries
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? The ability to go explore the unique characteristics of the land.
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? The community and experience in learning more about the sciences and information about Geology and how Dunes form.
Eden Kruis
Environmental Sustainability and Geography Major: Sustainability Concentration with a Spanish minor
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Interesting Fact: Has 2 cats named Oliebollen and Stroopwafel.
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? I was attracted by the unique opportunity to contribute to scientific research as a first year college student. I also love Lake Michigan beaches!
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? As part of our required sustainability volunteer hours, several FYRES students attended Coastal Cleanup Day 2026 and picked up trash along the shore of Lake Michigan.
Holly Copeland
Earth and Environmental Science Major
Hometown: Middlebury, IN
Interesting Fact: Has two pet frogs named splish and sploosh.
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? A first year research experience that would give me an idea of what environmental fieldwork is like.
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? Designing research studies and being able to carry them out.
Jabin Dieleman
Film and Media Major, Outdoor Recreation Leadership Interest
Hometown: Holland, MI
Interesting Fact: Loves climbing
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? I grew up a mile away from the beach.
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? Going to the beach and hanging with people from my floor.
Josiah Johncox
Financial Planning Major with Ministry Minor
Hometown: Howell, MI
Interesting Fact: Was born in Mexico
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? My friend who took the course last year told me about it.
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? Meeting some awesome people and going out to the dunes, plus I learned a lot.
Joslyn DenHartigh
Environmental Science Major
Hometown: Hudsonville, MI
Interesting Fact: Used to live in an RV and travel the US.
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? The field experience
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? Being able to go to the dunes every week and work with some great people on research.
Julianna Lundberg
Environmental Health and Conservation Major, Geography Minor
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Interesting Fact: Lake Superior is her favorite great lake.
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? Having the opportunity for hands on learning in such a specific and interesting subject area.
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? I really enjoyed getting to learn about wind data collection technologies (anemometer and vane) and then getting to use them in the field.
Lorelai Reiffer
Environmental Geography and Political Science Major
Hometown: Rockyville, Maryland
Interesting Fact: Does not like ketchup or pickles
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? It sounded like a great opportunity to learn about an environment that I'm not familiar with, as well as get off of campus and explore Michigan.
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? Learning how to use all of the different tools and instruments that are used to do research on the dunes.
Luke Addink
Geology Major
Hometown: Gilbert, AZ
Interesting Fact: Worked at a car wash for three years.
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? I like plants and dirt and this class has lots of dirt and plants
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? I saw turkeys
Miriam Kloha
Environmental Sustainability Major and Psychology Minor
Hometown: St. Johns, MI
Interesting Fact: Really loves to travel, and has been to Europe multiple times
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? That I really love hands on learning so going on these field trips to parks is really fun, and also I really love nature so to be able to spend time outside.
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? Learning about all of the different tools and instruments that are used to do research on the dunes.
Noah Yovanov
Saydi Kiley
Social Work Major, Ministry Minor
Hometown: Traverse City, MI
Interesting Fact: Has been to six counties! LOVES traveling!
What initially attracted you to the FYRES course? My friend recommened it and I didnt know if I wanted to go into environmental science
What is a highlight you have from the course so far? Awesome dinners and spending time by the water because it reminds me of my hometown.
