On Wednesday April 18, Capital hosted its 16th Annual Symposium on Undergraduate Scholarship, a daylong celebration of the achievements of both students and faculty.
The event officially began with the Keynote Address from Barbara Ehrenreich at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Mees Hall. Ehrenreich is the author of 21 books including the bestsellers, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America and Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking is Undermining America. She has dedicated her life to investigative journalism and activism on such issues as health care, peace, women’s rights, and economic justice. Tuesday’s kickoff event included an address from Ehrenreich as well as a question and answer session and a book signing.
Events continued Wednesday with the Honors Convocation at 10 a.m. in Mees. This ceremony recognized select students for scholarship and leadership and faulty and staff members for excellence in teaching, advising, research, and service to the university. Highlights from the Convocation include the announcement of University and College Award recipients. Five faculty and staff members were recognized for 25 years of service to the university: Richard M. Ashbrook, Helen S. Bluth, Dixie L. Jeffers, Rocky J. Reuter, and Tobie R. Sanders. Four individuals were established as Emeriti: Susan G. Blough, Barbara G. Keller, James H. McGaha, and Gary W. Ross.
Four prestigious faculty awards were also presented at the Honors Convocation. The Stellhorn Award went to Elizabeth D. Cook, Senior Administrative Assistant of Academic Affairs, for outstanding and devoted service to Capital University. After announcing her name, President Denvy Bowman shared a charming story about “the worst thing she ever did,” which was to leave a candle burning in Renner Hall several years ago.
The Faculty Scholarship Award was presented to Joy A. Schroeder, professor of Religion and Philosophy. The Cotterman Award for outstanding advising of undergraduate students was given to Stephen D. Bruning, professor of Communication.
Capital’s highest honor for teaching excellence, the Praestantia Award, was the last award presented. The 2011 recipient, Tianshu Wang, Associate Professor of Piano, spoke about her experience winning the award, saying that she felt an overwhelming amount of love from the students and faculty at Capital and that Love (with a capital L) is what keeps her going. Wang finished her speech with a moving piano piece, expressing the love, devotion, and gratitude she in turn feels for the Capital community.
The Honors Convocation concluded with the announcement of Andrea Thomas, Associate Professor of Business and Economics, as the 2012 recipient of the Praetantia Award. Following the ceremony, the Symposium continued with a community barbecue and poster presentations in the Capital Center Field House from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Oral presentations took place from 2 – 4:30 p.m. in Battelle Hall. Presentations are a way for Capital students to showcase their intellectual achievements and to discuss their work in a formal setting. The symposium is open to all undergraduate students who would like to portray their scholarship in original empirical research, artwork, or creative writing; integrative literature reviews; performance pieces with commentary; case study research projects; scholarly critiques; or internships.
