- Student work showcased at Celebration of Undergraduate Scholarship
Valpo students presented their projects on posters at the Celebration of Undergraduate Scholarship in the Harre Union on April 20. Valparaiso University students presented months of work and research April 20 at the 12th annual Celebration of Undergraduate Scholarship, an event celebrating the research, scholarly and creative work of Valpo’s undergraduate students.
At the event, held in the Harre Union ballroom, students presented their work in person with poster displays on various topics and disciplines, such as mathematical zombie equations and Porter County residents’ attitude toward the Regional Development Authority.
Senior psychology and humanities major Ariel Johnson explained an ongoing, three-year study of students’ perceptions of the University Honor Code.
Johnson said her team’s project, “Exploring Honor Code Perceptions, Moral Reasoning, and Attitudes Toward Learning: Establishing Construct Validity for the Honor Code Perceptions Scale,” will eventually serve as a tool to determine specific perceptions of the Honor Code which can be used in further studies of the Honor Code at Valpo and honor codes of other institutions.
“Right now we’re just focusing on making our test strong,” Johnson said. The psychology department is currently conducting pilot runs on their test.
Another student reported findings from a survey revealing that local businesses were not knowledgeable about the risks of carbon monoxide and the importance of carbon monoxide monitors.
Senior public relations major Ali Aljaziri, a Saudi Arabia native, presented the projects “Don’t Let Silence Take another Life: A PR Campaign to Raise Carbon Monoxide Awareness” and “Modern Public Relations Strategies: Revisiting Wheatley & Timmons 1994 First Alert Campaign.”
“I visited a local Menards and requested a carbon monoxide monitor and they didn’t have one,” Aljaziri explained. “I tried to explain the concept of carbon monoxide monitors and the risks associated with carbon monoxide. Fortunately, when I returned, they were carrying the monitors.”
Senior theology major Brian Rajcok’s project focused on the question, “What Should Christians Take from the Native American Church Peyote Ceremony?” His study found that both Christians and scientists should take a closer look at peyote as a beneficial remedy for some of what ails society.
“Christians could very well attain a deeper connection to God, and that’s not all,” said Rajcok. “Peyote is also known to treat anxiety, depression and stress; however, it’s not taken seriously enough so there aren’t really any extensive studies of the potential benefits.”
Jeffrey Will, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, was the keynote speaker at the event. His presentation, “Undergraduate Scholarship at Valpo: A Unique Opportunity,” focused on how undergraduate research benefits Valparaiso University students, and the institution as a whole.
“Our research is both for and enabled by the undergraduate students,” Will said.
Will established the University’s Scientific Visualization Laboratory eight years ago under a grant from the National Science Foundation, and continues to work in furthering educational methodologies using virtual reality.
He described his research, as well as that of colleagues such as Robert Palumbo, professor of mechanical engineering, whose work on the solar furnace project has involved dozens of students.
“The students are in there, working in the labs, getting real-world experience,” Will said. “It’s the students doing the work, enabling us to do great things.”
Will described research opportunities at Valpo as “graduate-level experience” at the undergraduate level. Research work prepares those students for graduate school and the working world, and offers Valpo alumni a competitive advantage over students who don’t get those opportunities.
He contrasted his mentoring role at Valpo with his undergraduate experience as a student at a larger school.
“I never had a professor twice,” Will said. As a professor at Valparaiso University, he said, “I’ve never not had a student twice. We really know our students.”
Valparaiso University faculty members, he said, “really open up our lives, our homes, and our research to students. This is one of the most rewarding parts of my job: building a relationship with students.”
Will concluded with a charge to students: “Get involved in research and stay involved in research.”
The Celebration of Undergraduate Scholarship began in 1998 as an idea from an interdisciplinary group of faculty who had attended national meetings on the role of undergraduate research in the college experience. Students from all disciplines are strongly encouraged to become involved in research and creative endeavors and present their work at the annual event.
More information on Valpo’s Office of Sponsored and Undergraduate Research can be found at http://www.valpo.edu/osur.