When organizers for the Wiggins Memorial Library Academic Symposium added a virtual presentations category three years ago, they were unknowingly preparing for the curve ball thrown at them this year.آ
When ذكذكتسئµâ€™s main campus essentially shut down to face-to-face interaction in early March, this year’s Symposium — previously scheduled for March 18 — became a completely virtual experience. The 10th annual event went live online on March 27, with 101 virtual presentations out of the 133 students and groups who originally signed up this year.آ
“It was important for the campus, our community and prospective students to see the good work that is happening at ذكذكتسئµ,†said Sarah Steele, head of research and instructional services and associate dean of the library. “We should take every opportunity to connect and engage in scholarly conversation. Expanding the virtual symposium this year provided a great way to engage at a â€کsocial distance.’â€
When the original event was postponed, students were invited to submit their virtual presentation materials through the symposium site. Faculty was to incorporate the symposium presentations in their online classes — one assignment idea was to have students view one presentation within and one outside of their discipline and review them through a Blackboard discussion thread.آ
According to Elizabeth Dobbins, reference and online instruction librarian, the transition to online was an easy one, and the core of the symposium — the student work — was unchanged. The only change, she said, was in the way the presentations are being viewed.آ
“I have been so inspired by and impressed with our students,†Dobbins said. “We offered them a chance to still present, and the vast majority have opted in by submitting digital content, even during a challenging time of transition.â€
The excellent work of ذكذكتسئµâ€™s students and faculty can be viewed online at the . Winners are listed on the site and below:آ
High Merit Winners scored within the top 10 percent of their category. Merit Winners scored within the top 25 percent of their category.
UNDERGRADUATE ORAL PRESENTATIONS
High Merit
- by Amber Merklinger (Faculty Mentor: Dean Farmer)
- by Zach Berly (Faculty Mentor: Sal Mercogliano)
- by Monique Kesling (Faculty Mentor: Prof. Kym Ward)
Merit
- by Vanessa Miranda Castillo and Sucharitha Murugu (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ann Ortiz)
- by Morgan Garris (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Christie)
- by Cameron Turlington (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dean Farmer)
- by Jacqueline Stournaras (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dean Farmer)
- by Jordan Hobgood (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Dunnum)
- by Leah Tripp (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gina Peterman)
GRADUATE ORAL PRESENTATIONS
High Merit
- by Jeffrey Kennedy (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bradley Myers)
- by Arash Behroozi, Brandon Block, Jeremie Bourget, Monyetta Hanson (Faculty Mentors: Dr. Bonnie Brenseke and Dr. David Green
- by Kaylee G. Moore and Megan N. Taylor (Faculty Mentors: Dr. Charles Carter)
Merit
- by Amy Clontz, Melissa Harward, and Thuy Vo (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Charles Carter)
- by Benjamin Robinson (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bonnie Brenseke)
UNDERGRADUATE POSTER PRESENTATIONS
High Merit
- by Chloe Baumgardner (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michelle Thomas)
- by Ryan Towey (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jordan Womick)
Merit
- by Keitland Medlin (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dwayne Wilson)
- by Katelynn Powers, Bryan Ramsey, and Jessica Regehr (Faculty Mentor: Prof. Maggie Horvath)
- by Jessica Wakeman (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Matthews)
- by Anna Jones (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tim Shenk)
GRADUATE POSTER PRESENTATIONS
High Merit
- by Shelby Diachenko, Jeffrey Kennedy, and James Wilson (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michelle Green)
- by Tanner Mabry (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christopher Stewart)
Merit
- by Eunhyeua Grace Han (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stephen Holly)
- by Alma Kathryn Couch (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Bunn)
- by Brennen Guzick (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tara Bell)
- by Kaylie Dunbar, Thomas Gignac, Robert Greer, and Tyler Strong (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Howard Reisner)
- by Ricardo Quintanilla (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Chris Breivogel)
- by Emily Cox (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Omar L. Caban)
ADULT & ONLINE EDUCATION
High Merit
- by Alexandria Durr (Faculty Mentor: Katherine Van Allen)
Merit
by Ebony Harris (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jan Lee Santos)
ART EXHIBITS
High Merit
- by Cameron Giddens (Faculty Mentor: Prof. Breck Smith)
Merit
- by Erendira E. Ramirez (Faculty Mentor: Prof. Maggie Horvath)