Humanities Express

10^th Annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium and Scholarship Recognition Reception: Showcasing Excellence in Academics

The College of Humanities’ Tenth Annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium took place on May 4, with more than 100 participants, guests, and friends of the College gathering to celebrate excellence in research and scholarship among its undergraduates. The Colloquium traditionally observes and reflects the intellectual aspirations, culture of inquiry, and commitment to a rich undergraduate experience that define the College. On this 10th anniversary of the event, students, parents, faculty, and college and university administrators, including Dean John W. Roberts and Senior Vice President for Research Robert T. McGrath joined in congratulating the 30 student recipients of this year’s Humanities scholarships for excellence in academics.

Thirteen talented Humanities majors made presentations at the Colloquium. Representing a cross-section of departments in the College, including African American and African Studies, Comparative Studies, English, French and Italian, German, Greek and Latin, History, and Linguistics, the thirteen were selected on the basis of abstracts they had submitted for review by a faculty panel. They were then invited to make oral presentations or exhibit their research projects in a poster format at the event.

Oral presentation topics ranged from phonological variation among adolescents to romantic transfiguration of literary characters to a study of Ohio's religious communities. Colloquium attendees were attentive, and engaging discussion followed. Poster presenters were introduced, and guests were invited to browse posters at the close of the formal program. Conversation with poster presenters was lively as well.

The Colloquium came to a close with introductions of 2005 College of Humanities scholarships recipients, many of whom plan to utilize scholarship funds to support study abroad. Taylor Nelms, a fourth year honors student majoring in Comparative Studies and Anthropology, and a 2004 study-abroad Humanities scholarship recipient, spoke to student participants and guests about how he found inspiration and substance for research through an international experience. Dean Roberts was pleased to acknowledge and thank one of many valued scholarship donors, Virginia S. Hull, who attended the event and who later met and chatted with the 2005 recipient of the endowed scholarship named in her honor. The afternoon concluded in fine fashion with guests enjoying a reception following the program.