Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

photo provided by Luke Crownover

Undergrads showcase research

By T.M. Taylor

tmtaylor@vwc.edu

Students at Virginia Wesleyan College work hard to research, compose and write their final projects. The Undergraduate Research Symposium is a chance for students to showcase these final presentations no matter what they are majoring in. From Art to Sociology, upperclassmen proved the countless number of hours that are dedicated to a single project can yield impressive results and everlasting memories.

In all, 65 different presentations were showcased, ranging from  Chemotropism in Neurospora crassa to  The Effect of Dual Citizenship on Germany s Democratic Legitimacy, all showing the hard work and determination of Virginia Wesleyan s upperclassmen.

Senior David Weirich, has done work on two separate fields of study: Combinatorics of Waterfront Partitions and a Senior Composition Recital.

Originally planning on just preparing the Combinatorics project, Weirich happened to fall into the idea of doing two.

 I love both things I did, said Weirich.

With math classes dating back to last semester, including classes based on complex analysis, the most difficult part for him was the presentation on the Waterfront Partitions. Since mathematics doesn t have PowerPoint, Weirich had to use a program called LaTeX, which is known for high quality of typesetting, to properly display his results. Throughout it all, Weirich kept on an even keel.

 I really don t believe in stress, said Weirich.  I m not stressed out.

As for the musical side of his research, Weirich figured that asking questions and getting answers from artists and composers was research enough. For his research, Weirich addressed the newer types of compositions from 21st century composers, determined the role music plays in life, as well as elaborating on whether or not 20th century classical music had explored its limits and the artist s trouble of finding originality in their work

Junior Ashley Morgan, along with her partners Morgan Franklin, America Ballerini, Vickie Matthews and Lisa Francis, addressed the Millennials Perfect Library.

This study was done in order to determine the Hofheimer II Library s ability to fulfill the students needs.

Unlike Weirich, most of Morgan s troubles came at the beginning of planning.

 It was really difficult to focus our objectives into something worthwhile, said Morgan.  We really wanted to do something that wasn t superficial, so making sure our focus was correct was vital.

For the symposium, Morgan found that everything seemed to be straightforward after gaining the results and has acquired a new skill in research methodology.

 When it s all over, I d love to have something to help the school, said Morgan.  This study will give the library an idea on what to improve on.

With the Undergraduate Research Symposium in the books, VWC has another batch of groundbreaking and innovative findings that could help not only within the boundaries of the campus but also outside them.