We’re Earlham College — the place for students who love birds, science, and the natural world.
“Earlham has been the best thing to happen to me as a birder! There are countless bird-related experiences to join, such as Penziner-Matson natural history trips, and even summer collaborative research on grassland birds out in Iowa with Jaime Coon and Wendy Tori. I’m also looking forward to birding in New Zealand when I study abroad there in Spring 2026!”
“Earlham is a great place to study birds because the culture here is supportive and encourages us to celebrate the learning process!”
‐ Moises ’26 Environmental Sustainability Major
“Being at Earlham has given me the opportunity to see new and stunning birds here in Richmond, but also in Namibia, Africa and in the Grasslands of Iowa! These experiences and my professors have all helped foster a deep love of birding in me.”
‐ Lena ’27 Biology Major
“I had never had an interest in birds before attending Earlham, but now it’s one of the most important parts of my Earlham experience, thanks to the infectious passion of my professors and peers.”
‐ Emerson ’25 Environmental Sustainability Major
“There is such a passion for ornithology at Earlham. You see it in the faculty, past and present, in their own curiosity and their excitement when teaching students.”
‐ Jennifer ’22 Biology Major
“The professor-student relationship at Earlham, and during research specifically, I don’t think you can really get that anywhere else. It’s extremely personal in such a comfortable way.”
‐ Aija ’26 Environmental Sustainability Major
“My love for birds started in classrooms, field trips and summer research projects at Earlham. This also pave the way for my research career, where I now study microbial interactions of birds.”
Only at Earlham…
Our professional bird-nerds
Jaime Coon, Ph.D.
Get to know Jaime
“Prairie King” Jaime Coon is a conservation scientist deeply passionate about habitat restoration and its real-world implications. As assistant professor of biology and environmental sustainability, she inspires Earlham students to engage with nature through field research and coursework, fostering a sense of place and promoting agency and hope in addressing ecological crises. Beyond the classroom, she’s a sci-fi enthusiast, avid gardener, and advocate for social and environmental justice.
Wendy Tori, Ph.D.
Get to know Wendy
“Avian Voyager” Wendy Tori is a distinguished ornithologist and field ecologist whose passion for bird ecology, genetics, and conservation has taken her across the globe, from the lush Amazon rainforest and the forests of Papua New Guinea to the prairies of the U.S. Midwest. As a dedicated endowed professor of ornithology, she engages Earlham students in hands-on, high-impact research that spans a remarkable diversity of species, from White-crowned Manakins to Dickcissels to Tree Swallows. Dr. Tori cultivates curiosity, resilience, and respect for the natural world. Since 2008, she has mentored countless undergraduate researchers, believing deeply in the transformative power of experiential learning. In and out of the classroom, she embodies a spirit of adventure and scientific wonder that inspires future generations of conservationists. Beyond the classroom, Wendy loves to travel, play D&D, and spend time with her dog Nala.”
You don’t need to wait until graduate school to do research
Earlham undergrads aren’t just tagging along — they’re helping drive the work, on and off campus. Our students have studied birds in places like Papua New Guinea, Peru, and the Midwest’s own Grand River Grasslands, where ongoing research explores how fire and grazing impact grassland bird populations under the pressures of climate change.
On campus, five undergraduates worked alongside faculty to analyze over 5,000 bird specimens in the Joseph Moore Museum, uncovering sex bias in one of Indiana’s most significant collections.
Spend a week living, learning, and birding at Earlham
Want to try out college life and dive into birding at the same time? Spend a week at Earlham Summer, a pre-college experience where you’ll live like a college student, earn credit, and make new friends who share your passions. In the class Bird Biology: Wings to Songs, you’ll hit the field to spot native Indiana birds, explore museum collections up close, and research a threatened species of your choice. Complete the week and earn a $500/year scholarship if you choose Earlham!
We take science seriously, but not ourselves.
Flight paths: where our graduates go
From trillium trails to tidal shores
After earning his degree in Biology and Ceramics from Earlham College in 2024, Nathen joined the Haida Gwaii Museum in British Columbia as a Decolonizer, where he contributes to efforts to preserve and honor Indigenous culture. His ceramic art, inspired by the natural world, continues to bridge his love for science, art, and the environment.
“As someone who grew up in the mountain west, I came to Earlham with the notion that mountains and rivers and lakes were the source of natural beauty to aspire to. But then I saw a scarlet tanager and a blackburnian warbler for the first time and walked into a woodland full of birdsong and trillium. I absolutely fell in love with the hardwood forests and grasslands of Earlham. I changed my mind while sitting by the streams and gentle hills, and now living on the northwest coast, I still miss the dawn chorus of back campus so much.”
Turning questions into a career in conservation
Caroline graduated from Earlham College in 2020 with a degree in Biology and now works as a field biologist focused on birds and conservation. As a research technician with the Hawai‘i V.I.N.E. (Vertebrate Introductions to Novel Ecosystems) Project, she studies how native and non-native birds shape seed dispersal and plant communities.
“Though I have always been happiest when outside, it wasn’t until the summer after my first year at Earlham that I realized I could turn this passion into a career. That year, I joined Wendy and other students in designing and conducting a study on Tree Swallow nesting behavior. We asked questions, designed a study, visited dozens of nest boxes, measured nestling Tree Swallows, and, after they fledged, collected and characterized the feathers lining their nests. As patterns emerged and we asked more questions and began to summarize findings, I had never felt more engaged. Our research continued for the rest of my time at Earlham, culminating in a publication after graduation. That first summer of undergraduate research at Earlham opened my eyes to the realities of conducting research and allowed me to take my first steps into the world of avian ecology, a path I continue to follow as a field biologist with a focus on birds and conservation.”
Grounded in Earlham, growing in the grasslands
Hannah graduated from Earlham College in 2023 with a degree in Biology and is now pursuing a graduate degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois and the Illinois Natural History Survey. Her research explores grassland plant and bird communities.
“At Earlham, each student’s learning is tailored to their specific interests and career aspirations. During my time at Earlham, I had unique opportunities to participate in a wide range of experiential learning, including grassland bird field research, museum specimen preparation and collections research, courses in wildlife identification and research techniques, and more. Since graduating, I have even had the opportunity to co-author publications in scientific journals. Now, I am a graduate student in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois & Illinois Natural History Survey. As I work toward my thesis, studying grassland plant and bird communities, I have put to use many of the skills and knowledge I gained from my experiences at Earlham. Entering graduate school can be an overwhelming process, but I felt very prepared due to Earlham faculties’ unique dedication to immersing students in their chosen career paths; I wouldn’t be where I am today without my professors’ commitment to supporting my interest in ecology.”
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