Month: June 2015

Roanoke College students present at Virginia Tech conference

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Virginia Tech Peace Conference

Pictured above from left to right: Jessica Compton, Wesley Knowles, Daniel Osborne, and Kelsey Reedy.

Daniel Osborne, now a junior at Roanoke College, presented his research on individualism in America and its effects on human well-being. Daniel traveled to Virginia Tech with his fellow presenters Jessica Compton, Wesley Knowles, and Kelsey Reedy and Doctors Mike Heller and Srikanth Mallavarapu in early February, 2015.

When asked about his experience on conducting and presenting research, Daniel says:

“Working with Dr. Mike Heller and Dr. Srikanth Mallavarapu was a wonderful experience. Both offered gentle, thoughtful guidance throughout the process of our presentation’s formation. Presenting my research at a conference made me feel important. To be able to share your work and ideas with an eager audience feels wonderful. It reminded me that my academic work has relevance beyond course grades and GPA records. The conference reminded me that my thoughts and writings can prompt reflection in my peers. Presenting research is certainly a challenge that stands outside the comfort zones of many students. However, Roanoke College’s many research opportunities are a special chance for undergraduate students to discover.”

Summer Scholars Introduction: Ben Cowgill and Andrew Feeney

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Thirteen students were enrolled in the 2015 Summer Scholars program. Introducing two more of the summer scholars, we welcome Ben Cowgill and Andrew Feeney.

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Ben Cowgill

Ben Cowgill is a rising junior at Roanoke College who is majoring in religious studies. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Ben has been highly involved in religion since high school and it has influenced his choices in research and academics. When he isn’t busy with school, Ben is involved with many different clubs and organizations including Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity, Alternate Break Program, Lutheran campus ministries, and the Honors Program. He is also currently the Vice President of the Student Government Association at Roanoke College.

Ben’s project is titled: “Effects Of Participation In Denominational Governance On Religiosity Among Youth and Young Adults”. Ben’s research aims to understand the long-term effects of church-wide denominational programs on participants. In order to do so, Ben will investigate a group of youth and young adults going to the Episcopal Church who were involved in a program called the Official Youth Presence, a program which represents youth at General Convention.

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Andrew Feeney

Andrew Feeney is a rising senior at Roanoke College majoring in Economics with a minor in Mathematics. Andrew is from Old Greenwich, Connecticut and is a member of the Roanoke Men’s Lacrosse Team. In his free time, Andrew participates in many different clubs including Best Buddies, Relay for Life, and Habitat for Humanity. Andrew is also the founder of the campus chapter for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Andrew’s project is titled: “Roanoke Economic Index”. Andrew details the project as a creation between two economic indices, a coincident index that reveals information on the underlying economic conditions for the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area, and a leading index which forecasts changes in the coincident index. With the combination of the two, Andrew hopes to allow local businesses to have better information before making major decisions.

Roanoke College student presents research on mod subculture

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Rachel

In late February of 2015, Rachel Barton, now a senior at Roanoke College, was able to present her research on mod subculture. Rachel worked under the Sociology department for her completion of her concentration in Gender and Women Studies. She decided to do research because of her interest in the concentration and interdisciplinary work. Rachel worked with Dr. Sarabia to expand on research Rachel had previously done and to examine gender expressions and subversive identities within the subculture.

Rachel enjoyed her time working one on one with a professor. She commented:

“It was great! I was given the opportunity to structure most of the product independently, do my own research, and basically go wherever I wanted with my argument. I loved being able to create my own project. And, of course, Dr. Sarabia was very helpful every step of the way. He offered me continual one on one feedback and encouraged me to go as far as I could with my research. He was as dedicated to me completing a successful project as I was.”

When asked about how it was to present her research, Rachel said:

“At first, I was really nervous, but it went very well! It was definitely an invaluable experience. I was in charge of creating my own presentation and presenting my research in an effective way. I was on a panel with two other researchers”

For any students interested in doing research, Rachel says:

“Do it! Even if you don’t think you can, even if you’re scared of starting your own projects, do it! There’s nothing like starting from scratch and ending up with a really cool, successful final product that’s completely the result of your own initiative. And the possibilities for research are endless! You can basically do whatever you’re interested in, and you can pick up some new interests along the way! I would recommend going to conferences too. Just imagine, you can get PAID to travel to really cool cities and talk about the crazy cool things that you’re interested in. And other accomplished scholars will encourage you! They can even help you get into graduate school! Why wouldn’t you jump on that opportunity?”

Summer Scholars Introduction: Emma von der Lieth and Tessa Sydnor

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The Summer Scholars program is one of the many research opportunities available at Roanoke College. Students can apply to the program to spend their summer doing paid, intensive research with a professor. Summer Scholars receive free housing and work full time to further their research.
Summer Scholars of 2015 has 13 students enrolled doing research in a variety of different topics and fields. Two of them are Emma von der Lieth and Tessa Sydnor

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Emma von der Lieth

Emma von der Lieth is a junior at Roanoke College who is majoring in International Relations and minoring in French. Emma has always been fascinated with travel and wishes to travel aboard to several different countries. An advocate of Women’s rights, Emma wants to work for a non-profit organization to promote women’s rights in developing countries.
Emma’s project title is “War on Women: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Sexual Violence During Armed Conflict”. In her research, Emma wishes to explore the relationship between violence against women and armed conflict. Using mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative research, Emma will analyze the data around armed conflict and the reported amount of rape in 27 different countries in Middle East, Africa, and Asia between 1990-2012.

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Tessa Sydnor

Tessa Syndor is a senior at Roanoke College who is majoring in Literary studies. Tessa’s upbringing in Europe has giving her a unique view on different cultures around the globe. Being involved in with her father’s work with refugees since she was little, Tessa wishes to use her studies to help voice the problems refugees have and to better their lives.
Tessa’s project is titled “Representing Refugee Experience: Reading and Researching the Literature of Displacement” In her research, Tessa will examine four books detailing the experiences refugees face in their lives and critically analyze their similarities and differences. By doing so, Tessa hopes this will help in the understanding of trauma refugees endure.