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Lee University recently held the 5th annual McNair-Ledford Undergraduate Research Symposium on its campus, featuring 37 presentations with cash awards for the winners. The symposium was held at Lee’s School of Nursing (SON).  

“The McNair-Ledford Undergraduate Research Symposium was the culminating event that provided students the opportunity to effectively disseminate their research projects,” said Dr. Kevin Ung, director of the McNair Scholars Program and Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship. “In addition, this occasion marked the collaborative efforts of the Appalachian College Association (ACA) faculty and students. With representation from seven different colleges and universities this year, Lee aspires to support and advance undergraduate research and creative endeavors in partnership with regional institutions.”  

The event showcased student research from various disciplines across campus, including biology, computer science, creative arts, criminal justice, history, language, literature, math, nursing, psychology, religion, and sociology. Topics ranging from chemistry and ecology to music, healthcare, and social media were covered in the presentations.  

The symposium committee included Lee faculty Dr. Michaelia Black, Dr. Jonathan Cornett, Dr. Debra Gladden, and Dr. Arlie Tagayuna, along with Jeni Turner, McNair Scholars Program Coordinator, and Ung.  

Dr. Meryl Herr, director of research and resources at the Max De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, was the keynote speaker of the symposium. Dr. Herr’s presentation was a workshop-style approach to help student researchers begin to frame their calling within a theologically informed vision for service. The session included reflective practices along with developing a training plan for students’ research skills.  

“Dr. Herr challenged students to consider in what ways their research gives the world an  ‘appetizer of what’s good, true, beautiful, and just?’” said Ung. “Using a biblical creation framework, students examined how their current work will advance a shalom-focused future. This event captures Lee’s commitment and dedication toward advancing scholarly research in various fields and disciplines to discover God’s calling in the lives of students.” 

Preceding Dr. Herr’s address, students presented posters and gave oral presentations of their summer research, and 20 faculty and administrative staff members from various disciplines, along with six visiting faculty, served as judges.  

The overall winner of the event was Sydney Fant, a senior history major, who received $150 for her presentation “State National Citizenship: A History.”  

“I had a lot going on this summer on top of my research that made things difficult, but the McNair staff and my mentor helped me make it to the finish,” said Ms. Fant. “Even though this was my first time presenting, and I was pretty nervous, the event was very well organized, and everything ran smoothly, which really helped with my nerves. All in all, this entire experience has really pushed me to grow intellectually and as a person, for which I am grateful.” 

For both poster and oral presentations, first place received $100, second place received $75, and third place received $50.  

There were 21 poster presentations. “All Together in One Place: A Survey of Pentecostal Hermeneutics” presented by Blake Long, a pastoral ministries major, won first place. Dursun Asik, a Spanish and classics major, won the second-place award for his presentation “Race and Ethnicity in Colombia and How They Pertain to the Individual.” In third place was health science major Sarah Bertram for her presentation “Type II Diabetes Assessment for College Students.”  

There were 16 oral presentations. The two first-place winners were Amie Ndiaye, a theology major, for her presentation “Social Media, Christianity, and Gen-Z: The Rise and Influence of Social Media and How Church Leaders Should Engage with It” and Daeana Roberts, an English major from Bryan College, for her presentation “Decolonizing Literary Space: Postmodern and Postcolonial Convergence in Jessica Hagedorn’s Dogeaters and Gina Apostol’s Insurrecto.” Destiny Peace, a music education major, won second place for her presentation “Dissonance and Its Relationship to Quartal/Quintal Harmonies in Cait Nishimura’s Golden Hour.” In third place was criminal justice major Madilyn Voiles for her presentation “Angels of Death: Demographics, Socialization, Work Experiences, and Motivations of Healthcare Serial Killers.”  

For more information about the McNair Program or to apply, visit leeuniversity.edu/mcnair/.