Research and Creativity Symposium Showcases Array of Student Endeavors

Scientific studies, artistic compilations and ingenious creations came to life across campus last week for the University of Mary Washington’s 18th annual Research and Creativity Symposium.

Junior Summer Orledge studied pollution in local waters. Sophomore Donald Glander used solenoids to create an “electric piano-guitar.” First-year physics and computer science major Ryan Lawrence tapped into multi-wavelength astronomy to predict the formation of future stars.

“It’s really amazing to see the variety of projects out there,” said College of Arts and Sciences Assistant Dean Betsy Lewis, who coordinates the event, held each year on the last day of class. “We’ve got projects from practically every major and department on campus.”

More than 400 students from the College of Arts and Sciences – and from the College of Business and the College of Education – presented the results of the scholarly research and creative endeavors they’ve been cultivating, alongside faculty mentors, throughout the past academic year. A morning filled with oral presentations was followed by a poster session in the Hurley Convergence Center Digital Auditorium, where researchers showed off their studies on glossy panels, sharing their work with fellow students, professors, even the public.

UMW students Lucas Anderson and Aidan Smagh present ‘Mapping Racial Covenants in Fredericksburg’ during Research and Creativity Day.

UMW student Eric Hummer presents ‘Benevolence or Branding? Understanding the Motivations and Public Reception Behind Major Museum Donations, 1900-2020’ during Research and Creativity Day.

UMW senior Hannah Lee presents her capstone project, ‘Making Healthy Choices for Academic Integrity: a Retrospective Study on the Impacts of Health on Violating the Honor Code at the University of Mary Washington’ during Research and Creativity Day.

“It’s fun to share what we’ve been working on with the wider UMW community,” said Orledge, an environmental science major investigating contaminants like aluminum, copper and lead that have leached into the James River. “This is such a locally relevant study. It’s something the general public should know about.”

Music recitals, art exhibitions, virtual presentations, a video premiere – even a museum of ancient Mediterranean cultures presented by the Department of Classics, Philosophy and Religion – played out through the day, from the Cedric Rucker University Center to the duPont art gallery.

Physics and computer science major Ryan Lawrence presents his project, ‘Multi-wavelength Astronomy,’ on Research and Creativity Day. Done with the help of faculty mentor Professor of Physics Matthew Fleenor, the study uses abstract imaging of the sky to detect the presence of gas and dust that may eventually turn into stars. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Projects spanned the disciplines and crawled across campus during Research and Creativity Day. Here, students gather in the Hurley Convergence Center’s Digital Auditorium to display poster presentations that represent the work they’ve been doing all semester and beyond. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW sophomore Donald Glander discusses his project, ‘The Electric Piano-Guitar’ with Music Department Professor and Chair Brooks Kuykendall. The project, done under the mentorship of faculty mentor, Music Department Adjunct Instructor Rebecca Callaway, merges a piano and a guitar into an electro-musical instrument. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW student Chris Anderson discusses his project, ‘Quercetin Produces Anti-inflammatory Response in Raw 264.7 Macrophages,’ with Professor of Chemistry Davis Oldham. Completed under the mentorship of Assistant Professor of Biology Laura Sipe, the project studies chronic inflammation’s role in the development and proliferation of several metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders, including several types of cancers. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Professor of Earth and Environmental Science Pamela Grothe looks on as UMW student Kate Stoneman presents ‘Why is Shark Tooth Island Disappearing?’ during Research and Creativity Day. The project, completed along with faculty mentor John Tippett, investigates the affects of climate change on the island. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

The College of Education hosted an evening research symposium in Seacobeck Hall, and College of Business presenters shared findings on everything from minimizing waste within the beauty industry to analyzing quarterback salaries. The recent Live Endowed Case Competition was part of the roundup as well.

Last year’s $30 million gift – the largest in University history – from late alumna Irene Piscopo  Rodgers ’59 helps support STEM research and frees other funds for work in the arts, humanities and social sciences. The money is used for supplies, travel and other needs for undergraduate research and often pays for students to present at conferences, Lewis said.

“They learn how to gather information, how to synthesize that and how to express it to others,” she said. “And those are just great skills in any career they go into.”

The Student Art Exhibit, on view at the duPont Gallery during Research and Creativity Day showcased a variety of creative entries. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

‘Ophelia,’ an oil on canvas by UMW student Gwendolyn Narkinsky, received the Emil R. Schnellock Award for Excellence in Painting. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

A visitor inside UMW’s duPont art gallery listens to a multimedia installation at the Student Art Exhibit, on view during Research and Creativity Day. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW student Parris Dinneen plays cello, an instrument he’s only been learning for about a year, during Research and Creativity Day.

UMW student Giannii Marshall sings ‘At Last’ in alto, accompanied by pianist Cathy Hoskins, during Research and Creativity Day.

Senior Sophia Taylor sings ‘Vanilla Ice Cream’ from the musical ‘She Loves Me’ during Research and Creativity Day.

For a full list of presentations, visit the Research and Creativity Symposium website.

To hear College of Arts and Sciences Dean Betsy Lewis and two student presenters discuss the research and plans that go into the day, listen to the April 23, 2024, broadcast of the Town Talk radio show.