Academic Symposium

The Academic Symposium is a signature Virginia Wesleyan event that celebrates the academic achievement of students completing a variety of academic experiences, including research, internships, performance, and global engagement.

The Academic Symposium is a conference-style event held on the Virginia Wesleyan campus. Students share their work with a professional oral, poster, or panel presentation. As part of the discussions following these presentations, students are encouraged to reflect upon their experiences and offer advice to other students who are preparing to undertake their own experiences.

Student presenters should refer to The Lighthouse’s Student Resources page for deadline information, presentation suggestions, and poster design tips.


Academic Symposium Schedule

9:00 - 10:15 a.m.

Premier Speaker Session - Goode Center

Ethan Labelle
"The Art of French Protest"
Mentor: Dr. Alain Gabon

Jack Palmer
"Welcome to Planet B: An International Approach to Climate Change"
Mentor: Ms. Mandy Reinig

Ariana Fletter
"Body Dysmorphia, Gender, and Achievement Motivation Among College Athletes"
Mentor: Dr. Craig Jackson

Breana Mahoney
"Mother Not Mammy: Winold Reiss' Mother and Child in the Context of the Historically
Commodified Identity of Black Women in America"
Mentor: Dr. Joyce Howell

Abigail Peterson
"Chemical Analysis of Novel Gland in Hispid Cotton Rat"
Mentor: Dr. Kevin Kettredge

10:25 - 11:40 a.m.

Deliberative Dialogue
“Climate Choices: How Should We Meet the Challenges of a Warming Planet?”
In this deliberation moderated by VWU students, participants examine the advantages and disadvantages of different options for addressing climate-change. The framework provides anopportunity to work through the tensions between various approaches to the problem, weighing them against the things we hold most valuable.
Location: Hofheimer Library
Session Leader: Ms.Kelly Jackson
Student Presenters: Connor Merk; Brooke Morris; Christian Palmisano; Abigail Peterson; Samantha Silvia; Kainaat Trehan

Communication Internship Presentations
Location: Lighthouse Common Area
Session Leader: Dr. Kathy Merlock-Jackson
Student Presenters: Erness Anne Deseo, Jacob Hamilton, Houda Touchen, Acasia White, Mikayla Szudera

Field Studies in Puerto Rico
Location: Greer 255
Session Leader: Dr. Marielle Postava-Davignon
Student Presenters: Jullian Bishop, Jocelyn Cain, Kimberly Carosi, Erin Foreman, MakennaGood, Isabella Grosswiler, Brice Johnson, Andrew King, Tyler Noll, Dominique Tatum

Globalization and Its Discontents: Human Trafficking and Globalization
Location: Greer 155
Session Leader: Dr. Modupe Oshikoya
Student Presenters: Emma Lankford, Abigail Mahoney, Harrison Bott, Thomas Crandall

11:50 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.

Music Area Recitals
Location: Hofheimer Theatre
Session Leader: Dr. Bryson Mortensen
Student Performers: Erin Andrews, Isaac Awogboro, Aidan Foley, Judah King, Aviana Medina,Kevin Miller, Robert Nolin, Briyana Picart, Emily Pritchard, Elizabeth O'Shea, Viviana Ossi,
Nathan Richardson, Brooke Underwood, Jacob Underwood

Experiences Studying Abroad
Location: Lighthouse Commons
Session Leader: Ms. Mandy Reinig
Student Presenters:
Kiera Doyle - “Uncovering History in Linz”
Sierra Curney - “International Law at Home and Abroad”
Elaine Robbins - “A Survival Guide to Chronic Illness Abroad”
Sarah Blackburn - “Songs from the Land of a Thousand Lakes”

General Ecology Group Research Projects
Location: Greer 255
Session Leader: Dr. Marielle Postava-Davignon
Student Presenters: Jullian Bishop, Maya Brown, Olivia Bryant, Kimberly Carosi, Eva Cole, Erika Eichelberger, Jazmyne Franklin, Griffin Hollins, Amalia Houff, Paul Jordan, Mandi Pesha,
Madison Pfister, Divinity Richardson, Matthew Santillo, Caleb Smith, Harrison Smith, Christopher West

Senior Art Exhibition Drop-In Reception
Location: Neil Britton Art Gallery
Session Leader: Prof. Sharon Swift
Student Artists: Britini Arrington, Kathryn Baca, Erness Anne Deseo, Haley Parshall, Carley Tantlinger, Melissa Ward, Alacia Williams, Kara Young


1:00 - 2:10 p.m.

Theatre Senior Capstone Presentations
Location: Hofheimer Theatre
Session Leader: Dr. Travis Malone
Student Presenters: Tucker Barco, Kayla Bissette, Hannah Carmona, Joseph Chatman, Sophia Kaminaris, Kiara Kyle

GWSS Senior Capstone Presentations: Feminism and Technology
Location: Lighthouse Commons
Session Leader: Dr. Kellie Holzer
Student Presenters: Jaron Berry, DJ John, Elias Kenworthy, Dahlia Perez, Meadow Spears, Isabelle Suggs, Abigail Veylupek

Field Experiences in Education: Roundtable Discussions
Location: Greer 155
Session Leader: Dr. William McConnell
Student Presenters: Abigail Gregory, Lindsey Creekmore,

Brock School Presentations
Location: Greer 255
Session Leader: Dr. Marielle Postava-Davignon
Student Presenters: Nicole Cousens, Casey Lang, Jack Palmer, Brooke Morris, Tyler Williams, Sara Traver, Breanna Wimbush, Eric O'Dea

2:30 - 3:45 p.m.

Honor Convocation - Goode Center

4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Academic Fair & Poster Session - CMAC
40+ Poster Presentations

Students Including: Eric O'Dea, Steffanie Ward, BreeAnna Frye,Maya Brown, Su Akar, Brooke Morris, Sasha Saxon, Jack Palmer, Kiera Doyle, Tiara Morris,
Spencer Hall, Kaia Rashada, Anozaire B. Orius, Laurena Lara, Rachel Wilson, Felix Bevc, Henry Handley, Elijah Eley, Jahnya Barner, Jazmyne Franklin, Sierra Jones, Kazuki Yamada, Jordan White, Molly Wheeler, D'Angelo John, Marcus Smaltz, Erin Foreman, Mel Lhuillier, Joseph Harris, Kylea McCarel, Emma Wehr, Jack Mowatt

Academic Symposium 2022

2022 Spring Academic Symposium