MURFREESBORO, NC – The 19th Annual Chowan University Student Research Conference was hosted April 18, 2017, following the 13th Annual Faculty Interdisciplinary Symposium.

The Student Research Conference is open to any Chowan University student to present on any topic of interest. The only requirement is that the student have a faculty sponsor to help guide the research. More than 150 presentations occurred between 8:00am and 4:30pm. Students presented on a variety of topics, including literary readings of original poetry and short stories, research related to biology, criminal justice, business administration, English, psychology, sports management, health and physical education, elementary education, fine arts, interdisciplinary studies, religion, history, exercise science, graphic communications, graphic design, mathematics, music, studio art, and social studies education.

Sessions occurred simultaneously to accommodate the multitude of presenters, each moderated by a faculty member. While some sessions were musical performances, others were recited poetry written by students, and more were academic presentations. At the end of each session the audience, comprised of fellow students, faculty, and staff, was able to ask questions and interact with the student presenter. Each session was judged by Chowan faculty and student winners were presented with awards the following day at the Awards Convocation. The awards are listed below:

Chowan University Student Research Conference Award of Excellence for Best Humanities Paper

Qeashaunda Johnson of Madison, IL

Faculty Sponsor- Dr. Bryan Herek, Associate Professor of English, Instructor in English

Warren Powers of Finksburg, MD

Faculty Sponsor- Dr. Cynthia Nicholson, Professor of English, Instructor in English

Chowan University Student Research Conference Award of Excellence for Best Social Science Paper

Melissa Hernandez of Bronx, NY

Faculty Sponsor- Dr. Greg Taylor, Professor of History

Chowan University Student Research Conference Award of Excellence for Best Formal, Natural, and Behavioral Science Paper

Carrie Blowe of Murfreesboro, NC

Faculty Sponsor- Dr. Corina Wack, Associate Professor of Biology

Chowan University Student Research Conference Award of Excellence for Best Professional Studies Paper

Kyle Davison of Durham, NC and Amber Smaltz of Norfolk, VA

Faculty Sponsor- Professor James Hammond, Assistant Professor of Physical Education

Chowan University Student Research Conference Award of Excellence for Best Poster Display

Tyler Richards of Chester, VA

Faculty Sponsor- Dr. Bo Dame, Associate Professor of Biology

Chowan University Student Research Conference Award of Excellence for Best Visual Art Display

Darren Peoples of Portsmouth, VA

Faculty Sponsor- Professor Tom Brennan, Associate Professor of Graphic Communications

Chowan University Student Research Conference Award of Excellence for Best Graphic Communications Display

Benjamin Schuch of Frederick, MD, Kayla Davis of Murfreesboro, NC, and Carolyn Goodman of Gatesville, NC

Faculty Sponsor- Dr. Mitch Henke, Associate Professor of Graphic Communications

Chowan University Student Research Conference Award of Excellence for Best Musical Performance

James Conley of Virginia Beach, VA

Faculty Sponsor- Dr. Benjamin Thorburn, Associate Professor of Music

Goluia Johnson of Chesapeake, VA

Faculty Sponsor- Dr. Benjamin Thorburn, Associate Professor of Music

Chowan University Student Research Conference Award of Excellence for Best Literary Work

LaJeffrica Smith of Fernandina Beach, FL

Faculty Sponsor- Professor Jennifer Newhouse, Assistant Professor of Creative Writing

Chowan University Student Research Conference Award of Excellence for Best Graduate Paper

Lee Johnson of Baltimore, MD

Faculty Sponsor- Dr. Ella Benson, Associate Professor Education

Dr. Danny Moore, Provost, shares, “The Student Research Conference provides an enriching and exciting experience, allows students to develop skills to function more independently, offers the opportunity to put classroom knowledge into practice, encourages students to build mentorship relationships with faculty, stimulates creativity, and provides an increased likelihood of acceptance into graduate or professional school,” among a plethora of other benefits.

Please join Chowan University in congratulating the winners and participants of the 19th Annual Chowan University Student Research Conference.