Students to showcase scholarly works at 2023 Student Scholars Symposium on April 13

Unique sessions for 2023 include the keynote presentation by Provost Jennifer Shewmaker and a new Art and Creative Writing Panel Session

Keely Hagan | 615-966-6491, Janel Shoun-Smith | 615.966.7078 | 03/28/2023

In April each year, Lipscomb University sets aside one day to recognize and honor student research in every discipline and in every form. The 12th Annual Lipscomb University Student Scholars Symposium, set for April 13, promises to feature student-driven research from class biology projects to independent studies in music theory, from pharmaceutical research to poetry.

The symposium, held at various locations across campus, is an interdisciplinary academic conference sponsored by the Office of the Provost. It provides an opportunity for students from all departments and majors across campus to showcase their creative works and research results on an array of topics in a professional setting. More than 290 graduate and undergraduate students have registered to participate in this one-day event.

Community members, professionals and recruiters are encouraged to attend the event recognized for its caliber of projects from biology, biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, literature, history, mathematics, nutrition, pharmaceutical sciences, philosophy, physics, poetry, psychology, social work and more.

“The creation and advancement of knowledge in academic fields is often the greatest excitement we have as scholars and teachers,” said Dr. Florah Mhlanga, senior associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and director of the Student Scholars Symposium. “Each year I am so proud of our students–their work, presentations, poise and professionalism take excellence to the next level.”

Among the projects at this year’s symposium will be presentations on independent student studies such as:

• A deep dive into music theory through an analysis of Dr. Ben Blasko’s Vessel of Joy composition by undergraduate music majors Caleb Taylor and Wesley Butler; 
• Anna Froemming’s chemistry experiment testing a new way to raise fingerprints from receipt paper
• Civil engineering major Aaron Hardy’s chemistry experiment testing how different materials affect the strength of concrete mix;
• Sophomores Ella Saakkian, Emma Salvitti and Camden Fain’s extra-curricular project to analyze nature themes in children’s literature about the immigration journey.
• Senior nutrition major Tessa Vander Kamp’s database analysis of the spices and herbs used in congregate meals served to the elderly at sites federally funded through the Older Americans Act; and
• Work to build a tool for understanding how drugs are excreted from the kidneys carried out by Haley Lewis, senior molecular biology major.

Check back here for the final program showing locations for all student presentations and poster displays.

“The symposium is a high impact educational experience for our students,” explained Mhlanga. “It has expanded and broadened student research and creativity in and outside of the classroom. It promotes meaningful connections between faculty and students, encourages mentorship, and provides high impact advising.”

Designed to encourage student participation, the symposium is held on campus, in a supportive environment that is structured comparably to what they would experience at professional conferences held across the country, said Mhlanga. Students are provided with forums to present their scholarly work via oral presentations, poster presentations, musical performance, theater performances, poetry readings and readings of other creative writing.

The symposium keynote address, titled “Does Media Really Matter? Examining the Impact of Media and Marketing on Childhood,” will be delivered by Lipscomb’s new provost, Dr. Jennifer Shewmaker, at 11:30 a.m. in the George Shinn Center. A strong advocate for both student and faculty research, Shewmaker is also a professor of psychology who has authored two books and multiple book chapters and articles on the topics of teaching and learning and media’s impact on childhood development. 

A new Art and Creative Writing Panel Session, developed by Dr. Jan Harris, associate professor of English and writing and Rocky Horton, director of the School of Art and Design, was added this year, scheduled for 9:10-10:55 a.m. in the East Wing of the Beaman Library. 

A panel of visual arts and English and modern languages students will discuss the process of creative collaboration and how they synthesized poems into artworks. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in a Q&A session and view the art installation. 

In addition to Mhlanga and Harris, the 2023 Student Scholars Symposium Organizing Committee comprises:

• Shanna Ray, professor of psychology and associate dean of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)
• Dr. Jan Harris, associate professor of English
• Dr. Josh Owens, assistant professor of biology
• Dr. Brandon Banes, associate professor of mathematics
• Dr. Joseph Weinstein-Webb, assistant professor of chemistry
• Danna Perry, administrative assistant of CLAS
• Naomi Lutz, Provost’s Office administrative assistant and academic event coordinator

Lipscomb University is classified by the Carnegie Foundation with the research designation of a national doctoral/professional level institution.