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Academic Symposium

The Academic Symposium is free and open to the public. Annual Academic Symposium April 29, 2024

 
When: Monday, April 29, 2024
Sessions Scheduled: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: Throughout McDaniel’s campus

Join us in honoring the original research, scholarship, and creative achievement of McDaniel College students, faculty, and staff. You are welcome to participate in the full day or pop into a session that interests you. It’s your chance to see the liberal arts in action! Please continue to check this webpage for the most up-to-date information.

If you require an interpreter for any sessions you plan to attend, please submit an Interpreter request no later than April 14.

Not familiar with McDaniel’s campus? An Information Booth will be available throughout the day in Memorial Plaza to answer questions and provide directional assistance.

9-10 a.m.

Extra! Extra! Hear All About It: An Overview of the Westminster Detective Library Hill Hall 110

Kayla Douglas, sophomore, Writing and Publishing; Brenna Mayberry, senior, English; May Riekenberg, junior, Theatre Arts and English; Celia Sterrn ’23, English

What is the Westminster Detective Library and how is it made? Learn from summer 2023 research assistants about the ongoing online project to locate and publish all short detective fiction printed in the U.S. before 1891. The WDL was created in 2008 by English professors LeRoy Panek and Mary Bendel-Simso and now, with the help of over 40 research assistants (and counting), the library’s bibliography and online holdings boast over 1,500 stories from 800 to 10,000 words in length — as well as several poems — many of which have yet to be edited and uploaded. Hear from student collaborators how a story makes its way from a 19th-century periodical to a page on the Westminster Detective Library (wdl.mcdaniel.edu).

 

Kinesiology Student Presentations Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Daniela Babich, senior, Kinesiology; Kayley Bradley, senior, Health Sciences; Amanda Butz, senior, Kinesiology; Ellie Glass, senior, Health Sciences; Paytyn Hazelton, senior, Kinesiology; Lanaya Joy, senior, Health Sciences; Isata Kamara, senior, Health Sciences; Luke Kelly, senior, Kinesiology; Katie Klein, senior, Psychology and Kinesiology; Elaina Kluttz, senior, Health Sciences; Jacob Lure, senior, Kinesiology; Eric Manfredonia, senior, Kinesiology; Taylor Mazan, senior, Kinesiology; Sarah Price, senior, Kinesiology; Jordan Schultz, senior, Health Sciences; Janiece Taylor, senior, Health Sciences; Ashley Thomas, senior, Health Sciences

Students in the Kinesiology Department present their unique research findings.
 

Let’s Rest!: An Exploration of Rest as a Community Practice Hill Hall 108

Erin Watley, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Communication and Cinema

Rest (on individual and community levels) is an essential, but too often neglected, tool that can transform our society into a more just and equitable place. Inspired by the work of Tricia Hersey and “The Nap Ministry,” Associate Professor Erin Watley will use this session to share reflections on rest as a social justice practice and her “Rest Wednesdays,” a weekly event that she has facilitated on campus during the 2023-24 academic year. Attendees will also be invited to find and experience rest together.

Panel: AI and VR in Action at McDaniel Merritt Hall 109

Meg Christie, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies; Daniel DeHollander, Director of Career Development, Center for Experience & Opportunity; Chloe Irla ’07, M.F.A., Associate Professor, Art; Jim Kunz, Ph.D., Professor, Social Work; Gretchen McKay, Ph.D., Professor, Art History

A panel of staff and faculty will share how they have incorporated AI and VR to enhance student learning at McDaniel. Hear about AI and VR successes and challenges and get inspired to consider incorporating exciting new technologies in your own classroom activities. 

Philosophy Student Presentations Session 1 Wahrhaftig Room, Hoover Library

Laura Hoeffner, senior, Philosophy; Kyle Janty, junior, Philosophy and Business Administration

Hear from Philosophy students Laura Hoeffner and Kyle Janty on their original research.
 

Physics Research Presentations Lewis Hall of Science 315

Yoann Olympio, senior, Physics; Dalton Pearl, senior, Biochemistry, Physics, and Chemistry 

Three Physics students will present on their research findings.

Seeing Light and Color: Plein-Air Painting Merritt Hall 300

Steve Pearson, M.F.A., Professor, Art; Sarah Mendez, senior, Art; Lacy Newhouse, junior, Art; Zoe Shelby, junior, Art; Mandy Smith, junior, Art

Drawing on a rich historical tradition of painting en plein air, our summer research project used plein-air painting and drawing to do urban and rural landscapes on campus and in Westminster. Painting at different times throughout the day allowed the researchers to visually record light’s effect on their perception of color. This panel will showcase en plein air artwork that resulted from the summer research, featuring a discussion on process and experience.

Student Presentations in Biochemistry and Mathematics Hill Hall 104

Amanda Thompson, junior, Biochemistry; Joe Burton, sophomore, Applied Mathematics; Sarah England, senior, Mathematics; Reagan Knowles, senior, Mathematics; Hannah Wright, junior, Applied Mathematics

Biochemistry major Amanda Thompson speaks on “Visualizing Singlet Oxygen Production of Different MOF Catalysts,” focused on the removal of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), while four students in the Mathematics Department look at Waring’s Problem – that every positive integer can be written as a fixed number of k-th powers – and examine numbers of p-adic rings, extensions of the integers with only one prime number.

Student Presentations in World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures Hoover Library 138

Teresa Djapa, senior, Student-Designed French Studies and Criminal Justice; Tatiana Hamilton, senior, Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science; Emma Wagner, senior, Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies; Katie Wiseman, senior, Spanish and Communication 

Students from the department of World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures will present on their studies in French, Spanish, and Arabic.
 

10:15-11:15 a.m.

Art and Biology Combined: Placemaking and Aging in the Space of Suburbia: Hercules’ New Labors and Pacific Parasites: Large scale drivers of parasite abundance and diversity Merritt Hall 300

Steve Pearson, M.F.A., Professor, Art; Maureen Williams, Ph.D., Lecturer, Biology

This session combines two distinctive faculty presentations. Hear from Professor Steve Pearson about his 12-drawing series inspired by the 12 labors of Hercules that depicts his experience moving to the suburbs in fall 2019 “in an attempt to interrogate the disciplined tasks of the suburban homeowner as a cultural staple of the American middle class.” Lecturer Maureen Williams discusses her research on parasite communities in marine ecosystems, specifically from 11 islands within the Pacific Line Islands archipelago.

Cake and Calculations: A Mathematical Exploration of Fractions Merritt Hall 115

Tori McArthur, junior, Elementary Education

This session invites participants to learn about the development of teaching skills of fifth to sixth grade level math. Rooted in the application of the 5 Practices of Math Teaching framework — anticipating, monitoring, selecting, sequencing, and connecting — attendees will engage in a dynamic, hands-on exploration of fractions and cake packaging tailored to the grade level. Join us for an interactive and focused professional development experience, where theory meets practice in an engaging setting. 

Frame to Fame: Student Animation in the Spotlight Hill Hall 108

Daniel Adum, senior, Biology; Noah Honick, sophomore; Anders Madsen, senior, Accounting, Business Administration, and Economics; Conny Spiess, junior, Art

This presentation features screenings and discussions of four animated shorts created in the Honors Animation Design course. Discussion will focus on each film’s animation process, with attention devoted to story development, design aesthetic, filming technique, set design, and sound. Each film is approximately four minutes, with the following titles: “The Circle of Life,” “Where Lost Balloons Go,” “Expressionless,” and “My Dog is a Canvas.”

Quilts and Pots: How the Enslaved Used Creativity Peterson Hall 104

Gretchen McKay, Ph.D., Professor, Art History; Andy Deleon ’23, Marketing; Chris Wright, junior, Communication

Enslaved people such as “Dave the Potter” in South Carolina and “Ann,” a sixteen-year-old enslaved girl in Virginia, created works of art far beyond simple utilitarian objects. They instilled creative energies, and in the case of Dave the Potter, words into their works of art. This session will look at these works and consider the act of creation as an expression of resistance and a way to maintain individual humanity in spite of horrific circumstances made to dehumanize them.

Honors Psychology Capstones Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Chesna Bosnic, senior, Psychology; Kendall Catlin, senior, Psychology; Signé Kula, senior, Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies and Psychology; Brandy Murphy, senior, Psychology

This session features the Honors projects of graduating Psychology majors.

Philosophy Student Presentations Session 2 Wahrhaftig Room, Hoover Library

Kendall Lanham-Fennell, senior, Political Science and Philosophy; Sam McKone, senior, Philosophy

Hear from Philosophy seniors on their original research.
 

Social Work Field Placements Hill Hall 110

Beth Aleligne, senior, Social Work and Political Science; Tamia Bydume, senior, Social Work; Amber Chenoweth, senior, Social Work; Autumn Cunningham, senior, Social Work; Rowan Daly, senior, Social Work; Kyla Farmer, senior, Social Work; Zack Fedders, senior, Social Work; Cora Fyffe, senior, Social Work; Estefania Garcia-Torres, senior, Social Work; Sarah Leizear, senior, Social Work and Psychology; Rachel Marks, senior, Social Work; India Oliver, senior, Social Work; Dylan Owens, senior, Social Work; Ally Paiz-Santos, senior, Social Work; Simone Smith, senior, Social Work; Breonna Stratton, senior, Social Work; Tamera Tilghman, senior, Social Work; Emma Votta, senior, Social Work; Maya Williams, senior, Social Work

Social Work students share their experiences with field placement agencies.

Ubuntu Praxis: A Liberatory Approach to Decolonization in Education Merritt Hall 109

Lyneia Richardson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Counseling

This presentation by Assistant Professor Lyneia Richardson explores the concept of “decolonization” in education and challenges traditional teaching methods through the use of Ubuntu philosophy. It identifies Sankofa, liberatory education, and experiential learning as core tenets, empowering students to address their needs, recognizing the inherent freedom in education, and linking theory to real-world challenges through critical analysis and self-reflection. This session offers strategies for dismantling hierarchies and integrating diverse perspectives to create inclusive, equitable learning spaces that lead to transformative praxis. 

What’s Your Jock Support? Get to Know Who You’re Cheering For Hoover Library 138

Paul Muhlhauser, Ph.D., Associate Professor, English; Jeremy Hasson, senior, Writing and Publishing; Jennifer Madison, junior, Writing and Publishing; Izzi Sweet, senior, English

It’s easy to be a fan of a team when it’s local: It’s your home team. It’s easy to cheer for a great player: He/she/ze has the styles, skills, and personality you love. It’s difficult to root for a team, player, or personality if your politics and values are out of sync with theirs. From Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling during the national anthem to the WNBA’s dedication of their season to Breonna Taylor, athletes are increasingly politically polarizing figures as media environments have enabled them to “speak up and dribble” in more accessible ways. In this session, student researchers and Associate Professor Paul Muhlhauser describe “What’s Your Jock Support,” a database cataloguing American athlete behavior, evaluating their politics, and creating a venue for fans to consider who and what they are cheering for.

Student-Faculty Research Poster Session Ensor Lounge, Roj Student Center

Meg Christie, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies; Collin Baechli, senior, Environmental Studies; Olivia Sunde, senior, Environmental Studies and Biology; Samantha Donnelly, senior, Environmental Studies; Gwen Coddington, College Archivist and Special Collections Librarian; Lauren Portis, senior, Environmental Studies; Zoe Shelby, junior, Art; Jim Kunz, Ph.D., Professor, Social Work; Nicki James, sophomore, Social Work; Cathy Orzolek-Kronner, Ph.D., Professor, Social Work; Elly Engle, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies; Carl Feibusch, senior, Environmental Studies; Jennifer McKenzie, Ph.D., Professor, Kinesiology; Richard Laird, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Kinesiology; Ellie Glass, senior, Health Sciences; Luke Kelly, senior, Kinesiology; Elaina Kluttz, senior, Health Sciences; Michael Polen, Ph.D., Lecturer, Chemistry; Michaela Richardson, senior, Health Sciences; Xochitl Arzate-Juarez, senior, Biology; Angalyn Strouse, junior, Biology; Stephanie Homan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Chemistry; Dalton Pearl, senior, Biochemistry, Physics, and Chemistry; Suruchi Karki, junior, Biomedical Science; Peter Craig, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Chemistry; Lauren Logue, senior, Health Sciences; Ashley Reyes, senior, Health Sciences; Victor Heasley, senior, Health Sciences; Joshua Marchand, senior, Computer Science; Monty Clay, senior, Mathematics; James Opre, junior, Mathematics; Jason Bruder, senior, Economics-Math; Moonasia Williams, sophomore, Cinema; Emily Liszewski, junior, History; Arianna Lowengrub, sophomore, Writing and Publishing; Farzad Ahmadi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Physics 

Poster session featuring student-faculty research projects in a variety of subjects including Environmental Studies, Social Work, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Chemistry, History, and more.

Keynote Lunch, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Under the Sea: The Impact of Insecticides on Jellyfish and Corals Naganna Forum, Roj Student Center

Allison Kerwin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Biology
Advance registration is required

Coral reefs offer immense benefits to humanity, acting as hotspots of biodiversity, reducing the effects of hurricanes on coastlines, and providing a source for drug discovery. But corals are under increasing human-caused threats that have led to widespread reef destruction. One potential threat is insecticide pollution. The Florida Keys government conducts insecticide spraying to control disease-spreading mosquito populations. These insecticides wash into the ocean, leading to persistent contamination. To investigate the impacts of insecticides on coral development without taking endangered corals out of their ecosystems, we can study jellyfish, which are closely related to corals. 

Join Assistant Professor Allison Kerwin as she discusses coral reefs, jellyfish biology, and why insecticides are a concern. Dr. Kerwin will provide an overview of the National Science Foundation-funded research that she is conducting with her students. Protecting marine ecosystems requires understanding the interactions between environmental threats and organismal biology – come learn how!

1-2 p.m.

Becoming Teachers of Impact: Making a Difference During the Student-Teaching Semester Merritt Hall 300 and 301

Jake Carin, senior, Elementary Education; Jocelyn De Leon, senior, Elementary Education and Spanish; John Geniti, senior, Elementary Education; Katie McPhillips, senior, Elementary Education

This session, in roundtable discussion format, will highlight the experiences of current pre-service teaching candidates. Join some of McDaniel’s Elementary Education majors as they share their explorations in beginning practitioner research. They will describe a specific “problem of practice” they identified, studied, and reflected on during the student-teaching semester. Multi-faceted ways to collect evidence of positive teacher impact will be a focus. How do pre-service teachers know they’re making a difference? Learn how 2024 Education graduates are poised to be the teachers that today’s young learners need. 

Irladen Design Studio Book and Print Fair Ensor Lounge, Roj Student Center

Chloe Irla ’07, M.F.A., Associate Professor, Art

Irladen Design Studio was established in 2022 by Associate Professor Chloe Irla. Irladen produces multidisciplinary projects rooted in observation, place, and seasonality. This session will allow visitors to browse books and printed matter produced by irladen, including a series of handmade books included in the Home & Garden collection; Garden News!; Parenting Through Anything magazines issues 1 and 2; and Snowballtimore. Visitors will be able to enter a raffle for their own irladen book collection. 

Phi Beta Kappa Lecture and Presentation of the Lifelong Learner Award Hoover Library 138

Becky Carpenter, Ph.D., Professor, English, and President, Delta of Maryland Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; Lynn Wheeler, Lifelong Learner Award recipient and retired Executive Director, Carroll County Public Library

First, Professor Becky Carpenter, president of McDaniel’s Delta of Maryland chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa national honor society, presents “Chafing at the Rules, Defying Expectations: The Women of Western Maryland College in the 1920s” about what life was like for women at Western Maryland College in the ’20s. She examines how they pushed back against restrictions, working to gain greater autonomy and escape the narrow strictures of prescribed female collegiate behavior. Their organizations and writings in the school newspaper provide insights into their vision of the collegiate experience, their ambitions and dreams. Then, McDaniel’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter will award Lynn Wheeler, retired executive director of the Carroll County Public Library, with its Lifelong Learner Award. This award is given to an individual in the local community who has pursued intellectual inquiry beyond their professional field, thus demonstrating the liberal arts value of lifelong learning. Named Carroll Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2022, Wheeler is currently involved with local nonprofits, including the boards of the Historical Society of Carroll County and Carroll County Arts Council.

Giving Psychology Away Session 1 Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Jaay Dukes, senior, Psychology and Art; Sofia Gillespie, senior, Psychology and Art; Kiara Gilliam, senior, Psychology; Kaylyn Jennings, senior, Psychology; Jailyn Johnson, senior, Psychology; Katie Klein, senior, Psychology and Kinesiology; Signé Kula, senior, Psychology and Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies; Faith McAvoy, senior, Psychology; Katie Morgan, senior, Psychology and Business Administration; Brandy Murphy, senior, Psychology; Choice Ogba, senior, Psychology and Criminal Justice; Linda Phan, senior, Psychology and Criminal Justice; Karen Poliks, senior, Psychology; Stacey Small, senior, Psychology and Criminal Justice; Paige Weatherly, senior, Psychology; Zion Williams, senior, Psychology; Storm Womack, senior, Psychology

A lightning round of Psychology capstones with the theme of “Giving Psychology Away,” a term created by then-president of the American Psychological Association George Miller, who challenged psychologists in 1969 to share their knowledge more widely. Senior Psychology majors identified a need for a better understanding of some aspect of psychological research, an audience that would benefit, and objectives to determine if their efforts have been successful. They share their projects and the impact they have had on our community. 

From Paper to Soil: Designing and Planting the Jam Garden at the McDaniel Environmental Center Hill Hall 104

Elly Engle, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies; Hira Khan, junior, Biology; Lauren Portis, senior, Environmental Studies; Oliva Sunde, senior, Environmental Studies and Biology

The Shaffer Forest Garden was established at the McDaniel Environmental Center to engage the college and local partners in restoration of environment, community, and individuals through annual and perennial agriculture installations. In summer 2023, a team of Environmental Studies faculty and students generated a planting plan for the “Jam Garden” installation, an area intended to feature a diversity of fruiting plants that can be used for edible, medicinal, and entrepreneurial purposes. Students created an interactive database of native and non-native fruiting plants, including evidence-based details on production needs and uses that informed a final planting design. In October 2023, McDaniel community members planted dozens of locally sourced fruiting shrubs. This presentation will detail the students’ research process, key features of the database, and reflections on the planting process, from paper to soil.

Sociology Shaping the 21st Century Merritt Hall 109

Linda Semu, Ph.D., Professor, Sociology; Kayla Gauger, senior, Sociology and Criminal Justice

The American Sociological Association calls Sociology “a 21st-century major.” This is based on the relationship between the dictates of the 21st-century labor market that is fast-paced, ever-changing, increasingly global, and technologically driven; and the tools Sociology majors acquire that help them to navigate the ever-changing world. This presentation will highlight the experiences of a current student who gained skills through a senior capstone course. It will also demonstrate the skills former students acquired through the Sociology major by highlighting various careers they have since embarked on. 

Housing in China and America: Debts, Health, and Politics Hill Hall 110

Maddie Principe, sophomore; Wenfei Xie, Xi’an Jiaotong University

This session will explore the social, economic, and political contexts of housing issues in China and America through video content. From overcrowding to unaffordable rents, the post-pandemic state of housing in China and America share similarities and unique differences. What are the roles of the state and market in solving the housing problems in the two countries? How can China and the U.S. learn from each other to address and resolve the issues? Join this session to learn more.
 

Presentations by History Double Majors Hill Hall 108

Zach Brown, senior, Biology and History; Sydney Lewis, senior, English and History

Zach Brown analyzes the ways in which the advent of World War I laid the foundation for the development of curative solutions to bacterial infections such as phage therapy, sulfa drugs, and antibiotics, while Sydney Lewis discusses research on the connection between sex, marriage, and sexuality in 17th-century Puritan New England through the scholarly writings of 20th-century historians.
 

Chemistry Student Presentations Session 1 Lewis Hall of Science 222

Favour Aguoru, senior, Health Sciences; Matt Denny, senior, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Dalton Pearl, senior, Biochemistry, Physics, and Chemistry; Michaela Richardson, senior, Health Sciences

Students who engaged in Chemistry research will present on their projects and findings.

Theatre Students on Design, Research, Scenes and Monologues Dorothy Elderdice Studio Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall

Danielle Carter, senior, Political Science and Theatre Arts; Bella Myers, senior, Theatre Arts; Kim Parson, senior, Theatre Arts

In this session, three Theatre Arts seniors will share their area of expertise with attendees, from monologues to designing theatre lighting.
 

Philosophy Student Presentations Session 3 Wahrhaftig Room, Hoover Library

Marco Moore, junior, Philosophy; Max Sweeney, senior, Political Science and Philosophy

Hear from Philosophy students Max Sweeney and Marco Moore on their original research.
 

1-4 p.m.

Biology Poster Session Eaton Hall, First and Second Floor Entrances

Daniel Adum, senior, Biology; Tykeisha Andrews, junior, Biology; Christian Anselme, senior, Biology; Xochitl Arzate-Juarez, senior, Biology; Natalie Badillo, senior, Biology; Sara Berger, senior, Biology; Jesse Boamah, senior, Biology; Unique Brooks, senior, Biology; Zach Brown, senior, Biology and History; Mamut Conteh, senior, Biology; Ri Dixon, senior, Biology; Destiny Edwards, senior, Biology; Naya English, senior, Biology; Kayra Fraser, senior, Biology; Clara Gardner, senior, Biology; Seb Gomez, senior, Biology; Destiny Haley, senior, Biology; Gabe Horner, senior, Biology; Destiny Houston, senior, Biology; Ali Johnson, senior, Biology and Sociology; Jessica Kam, senior, Biology; Haley Livingston, senior, Biology; Madison McKenzie, senior, Biology; Lupe Mondragon, senior, Biology; Rianna Nunes, senior, Biology; Chima Okafor, senior, Biology; Tyler Reid, senior, Biology; Joey Reiling, senior, Biology; Emma Ryan, senior, Biology; Sydney Schultheis, senior, Biology; Madi Sigler, senior, Biology; Olivia Sunde, senior, Biology and Environmental Studies; Sebastian Whipple, senior, Biology and Kinesiology

Biology students share research based on literature reviews and lab research in poster format.

2:15-3:15 p.m.

Chemistry Student Presentations Session 2 Lewis Hall of Science 222

Taylor Bjerkaas, senior, Chemistry; Makela Brown, senior, Biochemistry; Khaleel Lee, senior, Biochemistry; Lauren Logue, senior, Health Sciences

Students who engaged in Chemistry research will present on their projects and findings.

Communication & Cinema Department Student Presentations Session 1 Hoover Library 138

Madison Denion, senior, Communication; Nick Foley, senior, Communication; Isaiah Holmes, senior, Communication; Monte Prinz, senior, Communication; Nia Roberts, senior, Art and Communication

Communication majors will present their capstone projects.

Finding Ourselves Outdoors: Transformative Adventures with Nature Poets at the MEC Merritt Hall 109

Robert Kachur, Ph.D., Professor, English; Brianna Feliciano, junior, English; Dante Martin, junior, English

In fall 2023, Professor Robert Kachur and 19 Nature Poetry students met weekly at the McDaniel Environmental Center (MEC) to experientially engage poetry and nature. With celebrated poets serving as nature guides, they paid attention to the intellectual, physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of transformative learning through a range of embodied outdoor activities: breathing-focused meditation, solitary wandering, physical labor, ritual, and intentional imagining and remembering. In this presentation, Kachur and three students reflect on the powerful results of this non-traditional approach to studying poetry, the natural environment, and our own human identity.

Giving Psychology Away Session 2 Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Claire Hopkins, senior, Psychology; Quinn Kirk, senior, Psychology; Tyra Pritchett, senior, Psychology; Avery Sesney, senior, Psychology; Justus Smith, senior, Psychology and Kinesiology; Bri Vaughn, senior, Psychology

A lightning round of Psychology capstones with the theme of “Giving Psychology Away,” a term created by then-president of the American Psychological Association George Miller, who challenged psychologists in 1969 to share their knowledge more widely. Senior Psychology majors identified a need for a better understanding of some aspect of psychological research, an audience that would benefit, and objectives to determine if their efforts have been successful. They share their projects and the impact they have had on our community.

Global Fellows Poster Reception Ensor Lounge, Roj Student Center

Amy McNichols, Ph.D., Associate Professor, World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures, and Director of Global Fellows; Caleb Bowden, senior, Political Science and Economics; Tatiana Hamilton, senior, Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science; Hope Hatamleh , senior, Kinesiology; Kramoh Mansalay, Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies and Biomedical Science; KC Van Mater, senior, Political Science; Katie Wiseman, senior, Communication and Spanish

Come celebrate the work of graduating Global Fellows. Each senior presents a poster of their capstone research and special projects, sharing how they have infused global learning into their majors.

Physics Research Merritt Hall 300

Wesley Gant, junior, Physics; Dalton Pearl, senior, Biochemistry, Physics, and Chemistry

Join two Physics majors who will speak about their student-faculty research projects. The goal of Gant’s research, titled “Resonance for Tied-arch Bridges under Stress: Examining Potentially Destructive Frequencies and Structural Keystones,” was to determine whether the resonance frequency of this tied-arch bridge design can be modeled with a simply supported beam. Pearl speaks on “Synthesis and Characterization of Polystyrene Nanosphere Photonic Crystals,” about the growth and characterization of photonic crystals (PhC) done at McDaniel. 

How Do Product Recalls Affect Rival Brands? Hill Hall 110

Svetlana Tokareva, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Marketing

In this session, Assistant Professor Svetlana Tokareva introduces her original research on the spillover effect of a product recall at a U.S. food retailer on the shareholder value of rival food retailers. 
 

Philosophy Student Presentations Session 4 Wahrhaftig Room, Hoover Library

Nya Scott, senior, Philosophy and Criminal Justice; and Brendan Stonesifer, senior, Philosophy

Hear from Philosophy students Nya Scott and Brendan Stonesifer on their original research.
 

Putting Together the Pieces: The Conservation Similarities of The Beatles’ “Now and Then” & Traditional Kintsugi Hill Hall 104

Katya Dovgan, M.F.A., Senior Lecturer, Art; Carter Timmons, senior, English; Lydia Varacalle, senior, Criminal Justice

Learn about the Basics of Art Conservation course and admire the processes of restoration of The Beatles’ song “Now and Then” and an ancient Japanese ceramics repair technique using pure gold. This lecture-presentation will be richly illustrated with slides, music, and songs!

Study Abroad: A World of Learning Decker Auditorium, Lewis Hall of Science

Joan Liptrot, Director of International and Off-Campus Programs, Center for Experience and Opportunity; Kaami Effa, junior, Political Science and Philosophy; Sebastian Gomez, senior, Biology; Nicki James, sophomore, Social Work; Kramoh Mansalay, senior, Biomedical Science and Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies; Leah Somerville, sophomore, Political Science

A panel of McDaniel students who have studied abroad during January Term, summer, or a semester will share how they overcame their own fears, faced challenges, and learned to thrive in new and unexpected circumstances. 

The Roman Dinner Party: You’re Invited Hill Hall, First Floor

Gretchen McKay, Ph.D., Professor, Art History; Santana Abney, sophomore, Psychology; Kaitlyn Barker, senior, Art; Sean Carter, senior, Communication; Kenneth Dempster, sophomore; Tommy Di Iaconi, first-year, History; Sylvan Eichenlaub, sophomore, Marketing; Michael Franc, senior, Environmental Studies; Gillian Girod, junior, Art; Roxy Givens, sophomore, Criminal Justice; Dale Hise, junior, Cinema; AJ Johnson, senior, History; Jack Katunich, sophomore, Cinema; Sean Kelly, sophomore, Business Administration; Kiera Lachlan, senior, Psychology; Kaitlyn Lane, senior, Health Sciences and Kinesiology; Angela Lopez, first-year, Accounting; Alejandro Marugan, first-year; Regan McPherson, junior, Kinesiology; Ryan O’Donnell, senior, History; Rebekah Piel, sophomore; Noah Renner, junior, History; Audrey Saenz, first-year; Cevin Slominski, first-year; Mandy Smith, junior, Art; Sophia Smith, first-year, Psychology; Ella Zahn, senior, Student-Designed European Studies

Attend a Roman dinner party, researched and designed by students in the course Roman Art and Architecture! Enjoy aspects of a traditional Roman dinner party like menu options (though no food will be served), furniture, decorations like mosaics and wall paintings, and other aspects of the Roman dinner party, an essential part of Roman patrician life. 
 

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Antiracist Pedagogy, Writing with ChatGPT, and the Liberal Arts in Summer Research Merritt Hall 109

Alexander Champoux-Crowley, Ph.D., Lecturer and Director of First-Year Composition, English; Liam Estell, junior, Computer Science; Landen O’Quinn Oba, sophomore, Social Work

This presentation features the outcomes of two student-faculty summer research projects: “Antiracist Pedagogy in Undergraduate Social Work” by Landen Oba and professor Champoux-Crowley; and “ChatGPT and Student Writing Processes” by Liam Estell and professor Champoux-Crowley. Following the presentation of results, Champoux-Crowley will share thoughts about doing interdisciplinary research with first-year students and the role that First Year Writing and First Year Seminars might play as incubators for student-driven summer research.

All In: Campus Community Citizenship and Voting Hill Hall 108

Amanda Gelber, Director of Student Engagement; Joan Liptrot, Director of International and Off-Campus Programs, Center for Experience and Opportunity

Higher education, particularly the type found at a liberal arts institution, should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation. This panel will inform, inspire, support, and celebrate the activities found on successful colleges and universities working to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation, and ask McDaniel students to consider deploying in similar ways, and in ways unique to students on the Hill. 

Chemistry Student Presentations Session 3 Lewis Hall of Science 222

Matt Denny, senior, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Kramoh Mansalay, senior, Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies and Biomedical Science; Dalton Pearl, senior, Biochemistry, Physics, and Chemistry; Ashley Reyes, senior, Health Sciences

Students who engaged in Chemistry research will present on their projects and findings.

Communication & Cinema Department Student Presentations Session 2 Hoover Library 138

Jaden Campbell, senior, Communication; Sean Carter, senior, Communication; Thomas Chenoweth, senior, Communication; Spencer Goodson, senior, Communication

Communication majors will present their capstone projects.
 

3D Photonic Crystals: The Perfect Playground for STEM Research Merritt Hall 300

Apollo Mian, Ph.D., Professor, Physics

In this talk, Professor Apollo Mian will share his research from a collaboration with University College London on photonic crystals (PhC), which are an excellent source of research training for students. PhCs are a composite material that can selectively reject some colors. As such, PhCs have found applications in many devices such as optical filters, fiber sensors, nanolasers, and photonic circuitry. 

“Stereotypically Human”: Senior Art Capstone Exhibition Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall

Kaitlyn Barker, senior, Art; Olivia Douglas, senior, Art-Communication; Dellaney Georgiana ’23, Art; Sophia Gillespie, senior, Psychology and Art; Sarah Mendez, senior, Art; Evan Meyers, senior, Art; Brenay Spencer, senior, Art

The senior capstone exhibition, “Stereotypically Human,” will be on exhibit in the Esther Prangley Rice Gallery. Exhibiting students will be on hand to give oral presentations about their creative research. 
 

STEM Learning Ecosystems: A Case Study Hill Hall 110

Sharon Bowers ’78, M.Ed. ’84, Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in STEM Instructional Leader; Kimberlie Grabenstein M.S. ’02, Curriculum & Instruction

Join us to learn more about how the I-STEAM magnet program in Washington County is propelled by its STEM Learning Ecosystem. Responsiveness, relationships, and relevance are pillars to learning experiences. This session will include three generations of learners to share practical applications of this learning approach. Sharon Bowers will introduce new research focusing on STEM Learning Ecosystems, and Kimberlie Grabenstein M.S. ’02, graduate of the STEM Instructional Leadership and Elementary Math Instructional Leader certificate programs, will provide a case study showcasing her planning and instruction framed by STEM-centric strategies. Young fifth grade learners will present their projects to showcase community-based problem solving.

The Psychology of the Intersection of Art and Play Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Stephanie Madsen, Ph.D., Professor, Psychology; Ashleigh Barnes, sophomore, Psychology; Bekah Garrett, junior, Sociology; Kayla March, senior, Psychology; Bri Vaughn, senior, Psychology

Is art play? Is play art? Philosophers, artists, and psychologists have differing perspectives on these questions. We will present research on artists’ ideas about the role of play in their creative process, using interviews gathered from artists-in-residence at the Chateau d’Orquevaux in France. Drawing upon psychological theories of play, we present themes and note where the ideas of philosophers, artists, and psychologists do — and do not — intersect. 

Two Distinct Student Presentations Hill Hall 104

Zach Paugh, senior, History; Jaylin Smith, junior, English and Theatre Arts

This presentation includes Zach Paugh’s research on the actions of John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Jaylin Smith shares what it was like working with Associate Professor of English Paul Zajac as a summer research assistant, assisting with researching pieces of literature from the Renaissance and how peace is emphasized in various pieces of Shakespearean text.

Evening Performance 7:30 p.m.

A Cappella Ensemble, the premier vocal ensemble at McDaniel Baker Chapel (Little Baker)

Under the direction of Kyle Engler, M.M., Senior Lecturer, Music; Green TerrorTones members 

Stay for a performance by the Green TerrorTones, the premier vocal ensemble at McDaniel College, under the guidance of Senior Lecturer Kyle Engler with accompanist Peggy Brengle. The students are chosen from the membership of the McDaniel College Choir and perform exclusively unaccompanied vocal music, including a wide variety of world music and vocal jazz.