Adding a research project can seem like too much with jobs, classes and other responsibilities. However, every year, students are up for the Student Showcase challenge, entering research projects and creative works that run the gamut. This year's submissions ranged from "Analyzing Smallpox" to "What Music Brings People to Tears."
Faculty judges assessed each poster presentation and after the tabulation of scores, awarded first place to Rilee Wilson, a senior Psychology and Criminology and Justice Studies double major. Riley’s entry, "The Impact of Covid-19 on Death and Mourning," examined how the restrictions put in place because of COVID -19 may have led to improper mourning and could potentially cause Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD).
Wilson's faculty mentor, Dr. Niza Licuanan-Galela, associate professor in the Department of Sociology, encouraged Wilson to enter.
"She was really hopeful about my topic and said it would be a good experience for me," Wilson said. "I chose my topic because I have always been interested in death and how people mourn differently across cultures. COVID-19 changed everything."
"We had wonderful entries this year that demonstrated each student's breadth and depth of learning in their subject matter," said Dr. Laurie Hines, Honors College coordinator and assistant professor. "I appreciate the time and energy the students brought to their projects and was excited that so many first-year students participated."
"By working with their faculty mentors on these projects, students who participated in the Showcase accepted the challenge to think critically and rigorously, learn broadly and apply their knowledge and skills to topics about which they are passionate. This can only benefit them moving forward," Dr. Hines added.
Wilson earned a $1,000 Student Showcase Scholarship. Joshua Kent's "Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Volcano Eruption and the Effects on Earth's Dynamic Spheres" (Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Hacker) [TMK1] won second place and earned a $750 scholarship. Morgan Diefenderfer's "Does Deviation from a Balanced Time Perspective Immediate Social Anxiety and Mental Health" (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Patricia Tomich) [TMK2] earned third place and a $500 scholarship.
For a complete list of participants and posters, click here.