Academic Symposium Sessions Schedule

The Academic Symposium is free and open to the public. Monday, May 5, 2025 Sessions Scheduled: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

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!

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.

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

Please note, sessions, times, and locations are subject to change.

Download a campus map Request an Interpreter

9-10 a.m.

Community Highlights Poster Session Ensor Lounge, Roj Student Center

Chloe Irla ’07, M.F.A., Associate Professor, Art; Lily Coburn, senior, Art; Mary Bendel-Simso, Ph.D., Professor, English; Kayla Douglas, junior, Writing & Publishing; Eliza Nixon, junior, English; Jayla Pickeral, junior, English; Caroline Willis, junior, English and Communication; Margaret Christie, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies; Anna Kale, senior, Environmental Studies and Biology; Zoe Philip, junior, Environmental Studies; Loretta Spangler, MLIS, Information Literacy Coordinator, Hoover Library; Jim Kunz, Ph.D., Professor, Social Work; Nicki James, junior, Social Work; Adriano Lima e Silva, M.B.A., C.P.A., Assistant Professor, Accounting; Rebecca Gibson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Education; Hailey Laur, senior, Elementary Education; Paul Steinert, senior, Elementary Education

Poster session featuring projects that span McDaniel and the local community, including “Biophilic Design and Environmental Well-being at McDaniel College” by Associate Professor Irla and Lily Coburn; “Extra, Extra, Hear All About It: An Overview of the Westminster Detective Library” by Professor Bendel-Simso, Eliza Nixon, Kayla Douglas, Jayla Pickeral, and Caroline Willis; “Into the Fray: Tackling Invasive and Native Species in the McDaniel Environmental Center” by Assistant Professor Christie, Anna Kale, and Zoe Philip; “Library Instruction: Does It Make a Difference?” by Loretta Spangler; “Renaming Confederate Col. Rosser Lane” by Professor Kunz and Nicki James; “Building Future Leaders: MACPA & NABA’s Impact on the CPA Profession” by Assistant Professor Silva; and “The Effects of an Early Literacy Intervention” by Associate Professor Gibson, Hailey Laur, and Paul Steinert.

Hands-On History Hill Hall 104

Bryn Upton M.S. ’22, Ph.D., Professor, History; Lindsay Clearwater, senior, History; Sherlyn Estrada, senior, History; Alicia Heard, junior, Elementary Education; Nicholas Henderson, senior, History; Emily Liszewski, senior, History; Anjani Martins, senior, History; Savannah Marzullo, first-year, History; Robin Odom, senior, English; Eli Romero Cruz, senior, History; Emily Rosenbaum, junior, History; Alicia Toomey, senior, History

Hands-On History is a course built on a partnership with the Union Mills Homestead Foundation. Students spent the spring 2025 semester working with archives and artifacts in the collection of the Homestead and will present their findings and how they worked with both the collection and the Union Mills Homestead Foundation.

Do Donor Interactions with Scholarship Recipients Make a Difference for Students? Merritt Hall 301

David Sears, Ph.D., Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Learn about how interactions between donors and scholarship recipients impact students’ social and academic integration in college and may lead to increased graduation rates. Drawing from Sears’ dissertation, this presentation will touch on those integrations, saviorism, generational perspectives, and what colleges can do to improve the interactions and understanding among donors, college staff and faculty, and students.

Why Are Eggs So Many Buck, Buck, Bucks? Current “Bird Flu” Outbreak and Its Impacts Merritt Hall 115

Heather Burley, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer and Lab Coordinator, Biology

Curious about egg shortages and why the price of eggs skyrockets? This presentation explores the economic effects of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a.k.a. “Bird Flu.” Since 2022, HPAI cases have climbed to 158 million birds, 967 cattle herds, and 68 humans. With no cure, bird deaths from HPAI and/or depopulation can quickly decimate numbers and impact egg production.

Chemistry Capstones Merritt Hall 109

Timothy Clark, senior, Chemistry; Emily Pozsgay, senior, Chemistry; Alex Ratnakar, senior, Biomedical Science and Biology; Amanda Thompson, senior, Biochemistry

Four seniors majoring in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biomedical Science and Biology share their capstone projects on topics like synthesis and characterization of zinc Schiff-base complexes and evaluation of inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 macrodomain.

Examining the Role of Policing in Countering Insurgencies Hill Hall 108

Anouar Boukhars, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Political Science; Sana Askari, senior, Political Science, Business Administration, and Arabic & Middle Eastern Studies; Kaami Effa, senior, Political Science and Philosophy

Based on student-faculty summer research conducted in summer 2024, Sana Askari presents “The Police Role in Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan,” while Kaami Effa looks at “The Role of Policing in Defeating Boko Haram” in Nigeria.

9-11:15 a.m.

Huang Lab Biology Research Presentations Decker Auditorium, Lewis Hall of Science

Cheng Huang, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Biology; Ingrid Mandala Kol, junior, Biology and Biochemistry; Nakayla Lawson, senior, Biology; Maya Valdez, junior, Biology; Kekeli Womack, junior, Biology

Students in Professor Huang’s lab present on their research, including “Determining the Minimal Length of an In-Situ Hybridization Probe” by Ingrid Mandala Kol and Kekeli Womack; “Molecular Cloning of Neurexin2a” by Maya Valdez; and “The Molecular Cloning of neurexin3b with Zebrafish cDNA” by Nakayla Lawson.

Inclusive Imprints Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Richard Smith ’00, Ph.D., Associate Provost; Anaisha Coates, senior, Social Work; Kaitlyn Herdé ’25, Sociology; Shaeeda Mensah, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Philosophy; Aurelie Kabengele-Tshinga, junior, Health Sciences; Cathy Orzolek-Kronner ’86, Ph.D., Professor, Social Work; Eli Romero Cruz, senior, History; Lawrence Summerville, junior, Criminal Justice; Aaliyah Williams, senior, Art and Communication

This session highlights a student-faculty summer research project funded by a Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) grant. During summer 2024, the students conducted archival research, interviews, and content analysis to chronicle the untold stories of Western Maryland College students. Hear the students reflect on the impact of these narratives, analyze key themes that emerged, and discuss how these stories contribute to a more inclusive understanding of institutional history, as well as continue to inform the college’s mission.

10:15-11:15 a.m.

Research in English: Remixing Winter Holidays and What’s Your Jock Support? Database Merritt Hall 300

Paul Muhlhauser, Ph.D., Associate Professor, English; Iris Levandoski, junior, Computer Science; Danielle Carter, senior, Political Science and Theatre Arts; Emily Hollwedel, senior, Writing & Publishing; Kelly Kujawa, senior, Sociology; Margaret Riekenberg, senior, Theatre Arts and English

Learn more about two unique student-faculty research projects on rhetoric and culture. Iris Levandoski will share “Ho, Ho, NO! Remixing Winter Holidays,” an exploration of alternatives to the Christmas Industrial Complex, one that still has gifts and presents, but doesn’t have Santa Claus. Danielle Carter, Emily Hollwedel, Kelly Kujawa, and Margaret Riekenberg will share their contributions to a database categorizing athlete politics in fair and ethical ways so that fans have information to help them figure out what they are cheering and rooting for when they support an athlete or team.

Summer Research Poster Session Ensor Lounge, Roj Student Center

Peter Craig, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Chemistry; Declan Hartman, sophomore, Chemistry; Isabella Mitchell, junior, Biomedical Science; Brooke Rybacki, sophomore, Biology and Spanish; Dana Ferraris, Ph.D., Professor, Chemistry; Hira Khan, senior, Biology; Cody Neils, junior, Biology; Stephanie Homan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Chemistry; Emily Goodfellow, junior, Chemistry; Emily Pozsgay, senior, Chemistry; Josephine Otremba, junior, History; Richard Laird, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Kinesiology; Jennifer McKenzie ‘01, Ph.D., Professor, Kinesiology; Todd Calhoun, junior, Kinesiology; Samantha Fadel, junior, Kinesiology; Chase Hood, junior, Kinesiology; Jessica Millard, senior, Kinesiology and Health Sciences; Benjamin Steinhurst, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mathematics & Computer Science; Ellen Riggs, sophomore, Applied Mathematics; Farzad Ahmadi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Physics; Tania Mendez-Perez, senior, Physics; Daniel Boches, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Sociology; Allyson Reeves Burgee, senior, Criminal Justice; Jim Kunz, Ph.D., Professor, Social Work; LJ Maysonet, senior, Sociology

Poster session featuring summer student-faculty research projects in a variety of subjects including Chemistry, History, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Physics, Sociology, and Social Work.

College Students’ Perceptions of Online Extremism Hill Hall 221

Lily K. Miller, senior, Sociology

Pro-life and pro-choice discourse online is polarized on both ends of the political spectrum, with some advocates for either side being labeled “extremists.” Considering that polls consistently find that reproductive rights are an important issue for young voters, it begs the question: When do college students use the word “extremism” to label pro-life and pro-choice content that they see online? In this session, Miller will share how she answered this question by conducting focus group interviews with McDaniel students. Using the framework theories of social geometry, results suggest that the social distance between the labeler and labeled is an important predictor of the “extremist” label.

Internship Opportunities in Our Own Backyard Hill Hall 108

Daniel DeHollander, M.A., Director of Career Development, Center for Experience & Opportunity; Aiden Chin, senior, Cinema; Gabby Greene, senior, Business Administration; Nikhil Niyogi, senior, Marketing; Parth Shah, senior, Business Administration and Economics

Join us for an insightful panel presentation showcasing transformative professional development opportunities right near our campus. Hear from current students who have interned at impactful local locations like the City of Westminster, Community Media Center of Carroll County, and Common Ground on the Hill. Discover how they contributed to our community and how their experiences shaped their perspectives. Gain valuable insights into how they’re leveraging these experiences to accelerate their careers and make a difference. Don’t miss the chance to learn about the powerful intersection of community impact and career development — right in our backyard!

Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement for Division III Athletes Hill Hall 110

Lauren Hoolahan, senior, Psychology

This presentation shares research findings on mindfulness-based intervention strategies and Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement for McDaniel’s Division III student-athletes. Learn more about the effects of these interventions on anxiety and stress, as well as how sport psychology can support Division III athletic programs.

Reptile and Amphibian Biodiversity in Mariarano, Madagascar Merritt Hall 115

Randall Morrison, Ph.D., Professor, Biology

There is a stunning range of amphibians and reptiles in the forests of Western Madagascar. McDaniel students have put together a comprehensive species list after more than 10 summers of surveys. This includes chameleons, geckos, boa constrictors, crocodiles, and a wide range of additional species. Join this session to learn more about Madagascar’s biodiversity!

What Drives Brand Extension Success? Lewis Hall of Science 109

Svetlana Tokareva, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Economics & Business Administration

This session shares research from a McDaniel professor of Marketing on the impact of factors like brand extension similarity, individuals’ self-regulatory focus, and brand logo symmetry on how people view extensions of a brand. Join this session to learn more about an experimental study by Tokareva, which discovered the brand elements that individuals favor the most.

History Capstones Hill Hall 104

Lindsay Clearwater, senior, History; Emily Liszewski, senior, History; Kate Pickersgill, senior, History and Writing & Publishing

History majors present their senior capstone research: Lindsay Clearwater shares her research on War on Poverty programs in West Virginia, Emily Liszewski exposes the little-known history of Japan’s Unit 731 during World War II, and Kate Pickersgill discusses McDaniel College’s history as one of the first coeducational colleges in the United States.

Well-being on the Hill: Findings from the American College Health Association Well-Being Survey Merritt Hall 301

Heidi Huber, LCSW-C, Director of the Wellness Center; Laura Knox, LCSW-C, Associate Director of Counseling Services

The more McDaniel understands about our students’ experiences with dimensions of well-being (e.g. happiness, anxiety, depression, loneliness, social anxiety, life satisfaction, self-esteem, optimism, coping, sense of belonging, meaning and purpose in life), the better prepared we are to support their holistic development. In this presentation, we’ll share key findings from the ACHA Well-being Survey conducted in fall 2024, review McDaniel's current strategies for improving well-being, and offer ideas for future consideration. By amplifying the voices of our students and utilizing evidence-based programs and policies, McDaniel can become a leader in higher education’s response to the well-being challenges of students.

1-2 p.m.

From Original to Ultra: Faculty Understood the Assignment Hill Hall 104

Margaret Christie, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies; Daniel DeHollander, M.A., Director of Career Development, Center for Experience & Opportunity; Vanessa Flora-Nakoski, M.A., Writing Center Director and Senior Lecturer, English; Lori Hockley, D.M., Coordinator of Business Internships and Lecturer, Economics & Business Administration; Michael Polen, Ph.D., Department Chair and Lecturer, Chemistry; Laura Wyatt ’08, M.S. ’17, Director of Instructional Design and Technology

Come see how faculty are using Blackboard Ultra. In this panel, early users of the system will share their wins and challenges, and some of the new features they have used. Faculty are invited to learn from their experiences and ask questions regarding Blackboard Ultra. Students are also welcome to attend to share their experience and ask questions.

Gaining Self-Awareness Through Legal Sociology Lewis Hall of Science 109

Daniel Boches, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Sociology; Kelly Ross, senior, Criminal Justice and Sociology

Law students are traditionally taught to analyze cases in light of relevant rules and evidence. However, rules and evidence alone do not decide cases. Also critical is the social composition of the cases — who the parties are. But how exactly do the social characteristics of plaintiffs and defendants, lawyers and witnesses, judges and jurors affect responses to legal conflicts? We’ll explore this question with a theory of law called pure sociology, which explains behavior with its “social geometry” — its location and direction in social space. This perspective offers a powerful theory for understanding legal outcomes and valuable insights into our own lives.

Global Fellows Capstone Poster Presentations Ensor Lounge, Roj Student Center

Alondra Labastida Campos, senior, Political Science and Spanish; Kaami Effa, senior, Political Science and Philosophy; Alexis Hunt, senior, Psychology and Student-Designed French Studies; Anjani Martins, senior, History; Margaret Riekenberg, senior, Theatre Arts and English

Join graduating Global Fellows as they present their senior capstone projects, connected to their three years of global learning in the Global Fellows program.

Creating a Culture of Care on Campus Hill Hall 110

Amanda Gelber, Ed.D., Director of Student Engagement, Office of Student Engagement

This session shares recent findings and recommendations from higher education professionals on fostering a culture of care, focusing on the PERMA framework (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment). Participants will explore practical strategies that staff, supervisors, administrators, and human resources can implement to create or enhance an open and supportive environment, ultimately improving staff retention rates.

Lessons Learned from Listening to the Families of Law Enforcement Officers Hill Hall 108

Michelle Young ’01, LCSW-C, Senior Lecturer and Director of Field Education, Social Work; Veronica Esteves Dietz ’00, LCSW-C, Director of Crisis Services at Carroll County Health Department

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) face struggles related to vicarious trauma, shifting work schedules, and the unpredictable nature of their work. There is much research in the field about the negative mental health outcomes of these factors, but despite these findings, the impact on families of LEO’s are often overlooked, as are the sacrifices they make due to the demanding careers of their loved ones. This session will detail research findings on the struggles law enforcement families face with an emphasis on how to foster greater resiliency. We’ll also discuss proposed next steps to fill the identified needs of LEOs.

Synthesizing, Modifying, and Imaging Photonic Crystals Hill Hall 221

Wesley Gant, senior, Physics

Photonic crystals are materials that have a periodic structure at the nanoscale. They can be found in nature, like peacock feathers, or made synthetically. They have a wide variety of applications, from biosensors to quantum computing, solar cells, and invisibility cloaks. Students and faculty in the Physics Department have been creating and studying properties of photonic crystals for the past decade. Gant, a Physics major, will discuss the optical characteristics of the most recent crystals grown and share images taken using an atomic force microscope.

Rain Delay: Exploring Fractions Merritt Hall 115

Carter Bucci, junior, Elementary Education

Have you ever been to a sports practice and it started to rain? Have you ever had to then stop practicing and make it up later? Come explore a math task where players are forced to move their practice indoors. Participants will use problem-solving skills and math discourse to solve this rain delay dilemma. This presentation will be led by an Elementary Education major showing how math can be fun! All levels of math learners are welcome regardless of your math experience.

War of Images: Early Christian Depictions of Christ Peterson Hall 104

Gretchen McKay, Ph.D., Professor, Art History; Sylvan Eichenlaub, junior, Marketing

This session will ask participants to engage in a thoughtful discussion about the way Christ should have been depicted in the early history of the church. This exercise is inspired and informed by a project undertaken by Professor McKay for her Art of the Medieval World class, assisted in summer research by junior Sylvan Eichenlaub.

Art Exhibition: Finding Femininity Art Studio 103

Alexandra Combass, junior, Art

An Art major will share her oil paintings, stained glass, and sculptures that examine the ways femininity exists outside of the self and within objects, memories, and the quiet details of daily life.

Stories from the Amy Morris Homans Cotillion Gill Center G027

Diane Williams, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Kinesiology

This presentation explores the little-known stories of the Amy Morris Cotillion, an underground social event hosted at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance convention between 1982 and 2014. The Cotillion provided a community for women to connect to form long-lasting professional and personal relationships and was a safe space for lesbian professionals in physical education and kinesiology.

1-3:15 p.m.

Philosophy Senior Capstone Presentations Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Bryen Beer, senior, Political Science and Philosophy; Charlotte Dunbar, senior, Philosophy; Kaami Effa, senior, Political Science and Philosophy; Joy Feliciano, senior, Psychology and Philosophy; Donnavan Richards, senior, Philosophy

Philosophy seniors will share their semester-long capstone research projects.

1-4 p.m.

Biology Capstones Eaton Hall Lobby

Lauren Barnes, senior, Biology; Aurora Brownley, senior, Biology; Katia Chavez Manzanares, senior, Biology and Psychology; Jordan Creighton, senior, Biology; Matt Czajkowski, senior, Biology; Ngum Fofou, senior, Biology; Bee Forest-Russell, senior, Biology and Environmental Studies; Michael Girton, senior, Biology; Mikaela Gutierrez, senior, Biology; Arielle Harris, senior, Biology; Bria Hill, senior, Biology; Suruchi Karki, senior, Biology; Nakayla Lawson, senior, Biology; Mackenzie McCarter, senior, Biology; Mia McElwee, senior, Biology; Jennifer Morgan, senior, Biology; Asa Nugent, senior, Biology; Noah Phillips, senior, Biology; Patty Punchasutthi, junior, Biology; Angalyn Strouse, senior, Biology; Ngwing Taku, senior, Biology; Madison Wojcik, senior, Biology; Sarah Youssef, senior; Biology

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

2:15-3:15 p.m.

Study Abroad: A World of Learning Merritt Hall 300

Kerriann Ring, M.A., Assistant Director of International & Off-Campus Programs

Moderated by the Assistant Director of International & Off-Campus Programs, a panel of McDaniel students who have studied abroad will share how they overcame their own fears, faced challenges, and learned to thrive in new and unexpected circumstances.

Macenzie Bell, senior, Social Work; Jenna Benjamin, senior, Social Work; Anaisha Coates, senior, Social Work; Kaniyah Davis, senior, Social Work; Paris Evans, senior, Social Work; Jordan Grant, senior, Social Work; Alishia Mitchell, senior, Social Work; Abby Rhodes-Boyett, senior, Social Work; Allie Sullivan, senior, Social Work; Madi Tranchitella, senior, Social Work; Alexis Wolf, senior, Social Work; Rachael Zuskin, senior, Social Work

Social Work students share their experiences with field placement agencies.

From Hansel and Gretel to Rapunzel and Snow White: The Culinary in German Fairy Tales Hill Hall 221

Mohamed Esa, Ph.D., Professor, World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures

Many fairy tales contain scenes of eating and drinking to depict hunger and gluttony, temptation and magic, danger and cannibalism, but also harsh social criticism of gendered behavior within patriarchal systems. Food in fairy tales transcends the role of basic nourishment. It relates to a plurality of experiences, including desire, wish-fulfillment, fortune, misfortune, quest, power, transformation, and more. Professor Esa, who coordinates McDaniel’s Food Studies major, will discuss the culinary aspects of a few fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm and others, and will share recipes based on these tales.

Network Activity for Parental Monitoring Merritt Hall 109

Paul Lin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mathematics & Computer Science; Liam Estell, senior, Computer Science and Political Science; Romeo Tsai, junior, Computer Science

As internet usage among children for entertainment and education continues to rise, parents increasingly seek ways to monitor or restrict access to inappropriate content. Traditional parental control software, though effective, often requires installation on each device and can be costly, while free alternatives like Wireshark offer complex displays that are not user-friendly for home monitoring. To solve this issue, a student-faculty research project developed HomeShark, a Python-based application designed to monitor entire home networks from a single device. Join this session to learn how the user-friendly HomeShark app was created.

Generational Symbiosis in East Coast Theatre Hill Hall 108

Ave Maria Contreras, junior, Theatre Arts

This presentation explores how older generations are shaping new generations of Theatre Arts students to create an empowered and motivated wave of artists revitalizing the industry. It will also include how professional pathways in theatre provide student with tracks into performance, directing, and technical design, focusing on a Theatre Arts major’s own experience attending the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in January 2025.

Kinesiology and Health Sciences Capstones Ensor Lounge, Roj Student Center

Islamiah Alabi, senior, Kinesiology; Glory Fomena, senior, Health Sciences; Allison Gellien, senior, Kinesiology; Jules Graham, senior, Health Sciences; Payton Hayden, senior, Kinesiology; Regan McPherson, senior, Kinesiology; Jessica Millard, senior, Kinesiology and Health Sciences; Olivia Moskunas, senior, Health Sciences; Sadie Shughrue, senior, Health Sciences; Rachel Smith, senior, Kinesiology; Katherine Taveras, senior, Kinesiology; Jessica Weinoldt, senior, Health Sciences; Morgan Wilder, senior, Health Sciences

Come and learn about the research capstone projects conducted by Kinesiology and Health Sciences seniors, focusing on questions related to health, exercise adherence, and performance.

Leftover Bananza Merritt Hall 115

Meghan Scott, junior, Elementary Education

Do you ever struggle with putting away your leftovers? How about trying to split up your meal preps into equal portions? Join me in a fun math task and watch all your food storage worries wash away! This presentation will explore 6th grade level math, focusing on dividing fractions. Participants will discuss and solve problems together using reasoning and math manipulatives. Fractions are scary, but don’t worry! An Elementary Education major will be there to walk you through all the steps to build your confidence.

Revisiting the Legacy of American Realism in the 21st Century Lewis Hall of Science 222

Steven Pearson, M.F.A., Professor, Art; Gillian Giron, senior, Art; Evan Myers ’24, Art; Danielle Silva, senior, Art; Sarah Watson, senior, Art

Since the late 19th century, American realist painters embraced a variety of subjects inspired by rural and urban settings. There is a long tradition of regionally anchored painters who evoke universal ideals, often highlighting the experiences of a growing nation, as well as more recent exhibitions that demonstrate a continued interest in exploring the notions of place through a realist style. This panel will present the ways student researchers and Professor Pearson answered questions of place in their own narrative artworks, influenced by modern and contemporary realist paintings.

U.S. Failure in Afghanistan: The Fight Against the Taliban Merritt Hall 301

Sana Askari, senior, Political Science, Business Administration, and Arabic & Middle Eastern Studies

This session examines the multifaceted reasons behind the failure of the U.S. and the Afghan National Police in the fight against the Taliban. By exploring historical, political, and cultural factors, this discussion will analyze key challenges faced by U.S. policymakers and military leaders. Participants will gain insights into the Taliban and the role of Afghan National Police in combating them, as well as the failure of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to regain public trust, an essential component of counterinsurgency. The presentation will also address humanitarian consequences, particularly the devastating impact on Afghan civilians, and lessons learned from two decades of unsuccessful intervention.

When the Trip of a Lifetime Takes a Lifetime of Resources: An Insider’s View of Guiding Wildlife Trips Merritt Hall 301

Sandra Elvin, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies

As the tourism industry continues to grow, so does its impact on the environment and local communities. This session explores the concept of sustainable tourism, examining its definition, implementation challenges, and innovative solutions. Case studies such as polar bear and beluga whale trips in Canada and other examples from around the world will shed light on the possibility for sustainability leadership amongst tourism operators, guides, tourists, and community members. By fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable tourism principles, it may be possible to have a future where travel experiences enrich human lives without drawing heavily on the planet.

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Art on View: Senior Capstone II Students Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall

Gillian Girod, senior, Art; Lacy Newhouse, senior, Art; Sarah Watson, senior, Art; Aaliyah Williams, senior, Communication and Art; Faith Thumma, senior, Art

Senior Art majors will showcase their capstone exhibitions and answer any questions about their artwork.

McDaniel Theatre Showcase Mainstage Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall

Select students from the cast of “Legally Blonde” and Advanced Theatre Students

Watch scenes from McDaniel’s production of “Legally Blonde,” guest directed by Tad Janes, and the Student-Directed Production with Advanced Theatre Students, under the direction of Theatre Arts Department Chair Gené Fouché.

Establishing the Tiehua Artworks Management System Lewis Hall of Science 109

Ting Zhang, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mathematics & Computer Science

Originally created and historicized within Chinese tradition among blacksmiths, the Tiehua art form was handmade with iron wrought to produce beautiful displays of artisanship. In summer 2024, a student-faculty Computer Science project created a digital management system that could show off this incredible art and give recognition to the artists that made them.

Capstones in Psychology Merritt Hall 300

Arden Casey, junior, Psychology; Lake Earnest, senior, Psychology; Marina Ferriola, senior, Psychology; Amya Jones, senior, Psychology

Capstone Psychology students will present their research on stress management, positive psychology, learning disabilities, and families experiencing separation and divorce.

Exploring Gender and the Lived Experiences of Singers in a Treble Choir: An Instrumental Case Study Hill Hall 221

Emily Haas, M.M., Coordinator of Student Engagement, Office of Student Engagement

Singing in treble choirs provides benefits to adolescent participants, including increased musical skill, development of social skills, and greater self-awareness and identity formation. A case study by Haas examined how singers interact with, explore, and understand their gender in one high school treble choir. The study describes participants’ view of their treble choir experience and how they interacted with, explored, and understood their gender in treble choir. This session will share the results of that study, which indicate that students perceived many benefits to participating in choir, including belonging, development of individual skills, pride in musical product, and unique opportunities.

Senior Research and Advanced Translations in French and Spanish Merritt Hall 109

Martine Motard-Noar, Ph.D., Professor, World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures; Kaitlyn Herdé ’25, Sociology; Alexis Hunt, senior, Psychology and Student-Designed French Studies; Nakayla Lawson, senior, Biology; Yaye Mbaye, senior, Political Science and Student-Designed French Studies

Learn more about senior projects in French and Spanish, including Nakayla Lawson’s research on “The Three Stones: Female Resistance in a Film by Tatiana Huezo”; Kaitlyn Herdé’s research and translation “On Sex Ed and Parental Guidance”; Alexis Hunt’s research on “Improving Health: What can France & the U.S. Learn from Each Other?”; and Yaye Mbaye’s translation of the novel “The Day I Will Never Forget” by Cameroonian writer Franck Foute.

Researching Education Margins Merritt Hall 301

Alexander Champoux-Crowley, Ph.D., Director of First-Year Composition and Lecturer, English; Marley Wilson, senior, American Sign Language; Grace Hill, senior, Accounting and Theatre Arts

In summer of 2024, two McDaniel students conducted student-faculty research with Professor Champoux-Crowley on how ASL interpretation affects student learning outcomes and the impacts of funding on high school theatre programs. This session will briefly introduce the origins of the research collaborations, then pivot to presentations from each distinct student-faculty project on the scholarly literature, methods of data collection, and discussion of findings.

The Teacher Collaborative Grant: Successes, Challenges, and Next Steps Hill Hall 108

Debbie Piper, M.A., Lead Teacher Academy Grant Project Director, Education; Tracey Lucas, M.S., Education Department Chair and Assistant Dean, Graduate and Professional Studies; Maggie Deagon, M.Ed., Research Specialist, Rockman Associates et al. Cooperative

The complex challenges confronting education today require a systems-minded approach. In this presentation, we will explain how Carroll County Public Schools, McDaniel College, and the Carroll County Education Association collaborated to build their teacher workforce to address current needs of educators and students. Data will illustrate how this multi-pronged approach has helped to recruit teacher candidates and positively impact student learning.

The Great London Exhibition of 1851 Revisited Hill Hall Lobby

Gretchen McKay, Ph.D., Professor, Art History; Students from A History of Exhibitions

Attend a recreation of the 1851 Great Exhibition in London! The original exhibition featured new technologies and advancements from 44 countries, all set in London in the “Crystal Palace” and environs. Students in Professor McKay’s History of Exhibitions class will recreate 25 of those 44 countries and objects exhibited. Come see what was “hot” in 1851 from around the world!

Supporting English Language Learners and Students with Adverse Childhood Experiences Through Literature Merritt Hall 115

Shayli Alexis Garcia-Carranza, junior, Elementary Education

This presentation will discuss how teachers can use children’s books and literary strategies to help support students’ language development and accessibility.

7 p.m.

A Cappella Ensemble Baker Memorial Chapel

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

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.