On April 21, Lee University’s Department of History, Political Science, and Humanities held its 18th Annual SIMS Colloquium. The event featured paper presentations from nine humanities students, a panel on “Faith & Knowledge,” and an awards ceremony with reception.
 
“For our department, this is one of the highlights of the academic year,” said Dr. John Coats, professor of history at Lee and chair for the Department of History, Political Science, and Humanities. “The Sims Colloquium provides our department with the opportunity to celebrate our students.”
 
Invited by faculty to present, the student presenters defended their work before their professors and peers. Presenters included Megan Becker, Wes Boyanton, Shelby Flanigan, Jessie Henderson, Abigail Jeter, Belle Owens, Jackson Paladin, Dagny Taylor, and Abigail Welbaum. Paper topics ranged from environmental public policy to battles on Lake Erie.
 
During the “Faith and Knowledge” panel, and subsequent breakout sessions, faculty discussed the integration of faith and learning.
 
Graduating seniors, as well as individual students who have distinguished themselves over the past year, were then recognized with awards and honors.
 
Ryan Hawkins received the Humanities Greek Award; Megan Willoughby, the Humanities Latin Award; Dawson Cartwright, the History Hicks Scholar Award; Becker, the Political Science Hicks Scholar Award; Chloe Sabo, the William Snell Scholarship; and Matthew Wescott, the History Achievement Award.
 
The event also honored graduating seniors who were awarded department and university awards. These included Ryan Lovelace, an F. J. Lee Award finalist; Will Davis, a Charles Paul Conn Award nominee; Tinley Cummings, the History Award winner; Emily Gietzen, the Humanities Award winner; Nolan Wallace, the Political Science Award winner; and Welbaum, the Overall Department Award winner.
 
The SIMS Colloquium is held in honor of Dr. John Alfred Sims. Sims came to Lee as a student before joining the faculty in 1971 as a professor of humanities and religion and retired from Lee in 2010. According to Coats, Sims’ career represents the best of the Lee University tradition. Sims established himself as a scholar of the highest caliber, holding post-doctoral positions at Harvard University, Princeton University, and University of Cambridge, along with publishing five books and numerous articles.
 
For more information on Lee’s History, Political Science, and Humanities Department, call (423) 614-8137.