As a doctoral student in the Department of Anthropology, Stephanie McClure studies how local culture shapes physical activity in African-American teen girls. This work has led to two highly competitive fellowships for her studies at Case Western Reserve. An alumna of Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University, McClure is an academic success, but what’s the Columbia, Tenn., native like outside the classroom?
Find out now.
1. What’s on your iPod?
My iPod is an eclectic mix. I am an NPR devotee, so I have the Nano (it has a built-in FM tuner). As for what’s loaded, I have everything from jazz (early Herbie Hancock), blues (Robert Cray), rock (Cake), folk (Sam & Ruby), country/western (Dixie Chicks)—everything except classical, but just because I haven’t gotten around to loading what I own in that genre. I also have podcasts of This American Life.
2. What’s your favorite spot in Cleveland and why?
I’ve had my nose pretty firmly to the grindstone for the past several years, so I can’t honestly say I’ve sampled what Cleveland has to offer thoroughly. But based on my limited-by-grad-school exposure, I’d say Shaker Square. It’s a great place to hang out, and of course, there’s the farmer’s market. Euclid Creek Park is a nice place, too. It’s near where I live and I like to run there sometimes.
3. If you could only take three books with you to a deserted island, what would you take?
Tough one. I probably should name something in my discipline, but…
- Bailey’s Cafe by Gloria Naylor
- Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
- It Ain’t Necessarily So by Richard Lewontin
4. What one word would you use to describe yourself, and what one word would your friends use to describe you?
Me – passionate; my friends – critical.
5. What’s your favorite thing about Case Western Reserve University?
It’s not one but two, and they can’t really be separated: the professors and the opportunities. I’ve studied with and been mentored by some really remarkable people, and through them this university has given me the chance to pursue my aspiration to become an anthropologist, requiring only that I be capable, self-directed and willing to work hard.
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