Mariana Ladrilleros, a senior at Millersville University majoring in history and archeology, is set to deliver an insightful presentation on "Mississippi Civil War Hospitals: Their Food Supply & the Transportation of it Via Railroads." Ladrilleros' research was part of her transformative experience as a participant in the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Mapping Freedom Program.

Her presentation to Millersville's Council of Trustees on Sept. 18 will highlight the pioneering nature of the program and the valuable lessons she learned during her eight-week internship at the University of Southern Mississippi.

The NSF-RUE Mapping Freedom Program, launched in 2023, represents a landmark initiative as the first digital humanities project funded by the National Science Foundation. The program was made possible through a successful grant proposal submitted by a team of faculty at the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Ron Frankum, professor of history at Millersville also played a crucial role as Ladrilleros' internship advisor.

During her internship, Ladrilleros engaged in a rigorous curriculum designed to deepen her understanding of digital humanities and historical research. The program featured lectures on the Civil War and Reconstruction era, GIS training and workshops, and sessions on digital preservation.

Her research questions included

• Which food items were most requested?
• Are these commodities grown in Mississippi?
• Which hospital locations sent the most ration return letters?
• Do locations with higher food requests coincide with locations of railroad damages?

The Mapping Freedom Program's innovative approach to combining digital tools with historical research marks a significant advancement in the field, not only for the NSF but also for Millersville University, where this is the first project of its kind.

Ladrilleros' presentation will focus on the answers she discovered to her research questions, including the fact that rice, sugar, salt, coffee and fresh beef were among the most requested items at the hospital she researched.

The COT meeting will be held in Gordinier Hall, Lehr Room, at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18. The public is invited to attend.