2018 Student Research Day

The Honors Program again had the privilege of organizing Judson’s Student Research Day. Nominated by faculty, students from across campus shared their projects with an enthusiastic audience. Among the participants were several Honors students:

Senior biochemistry major Andrew Kennedy presented on his work on “Using CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Technologies to Study and Treat Cancer.” The CRISPR-Cas9 genetic editing system has quickly gained popularity within the scientific community for its cheap, easy to use protocol for editing the genome. The technology has garnered attention for the potential it has to revolutionize how we approach disorders that are based on genetic abnormalities. Cancer, one of the world’s leading killers, is one such disorder, making it a prime target for researchers and clinicians to use CRISPR as a form of treatment. Using CRISPR-Cas9 to study and treat small changes in a patient’s genome opens new doors for the future of both medicine and biotechnology.

Sophomore Intercultural Leadership major James Fleshman shared his study of “Romans 8:18-39 and the Role of the Spirit in Sonship.” Throughout this passage, Paul argues that the Holy Spirit intercedes on behalf of creation and humanity to bring the redemption God intends, which is currently in the “not yet” state. God is in the process of glorifying believers in the eschaton, and he is the one who justifies believers to make this possible. Ultimately, Paul affirms that believers are strong because they are unable to be separated from God as his adopted children, upholding Paul’s rhetorical argument throughout the passage.

Sophomore Architecture major Max Starcevich discussed his study of Göbekli Tepe, an ancient architectural site located in Turkey dating from around at least 9,000 B.C.  Titled “Houses or Temples? Reassessing the Function of Göbekli Tepe,” the study examines recent research and offers a more nuanced consideration of the site, suggesting that these structures were not temples, but rather houses with religious meaning embedded in them. If true, this discovery has bearing on current conceptions of the dawn of history and the connection between the residential and the religious.

A lunch in honor of the presenters, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, included faculty nominators and Judson leadership.

                          

 

Thanks to all who participated!

 

 

 

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World Leaders Forum 2018

Honors students joined other student leaders onstage at Judson’s 2018 World Leaders Forum.

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich shared the stage at the event, titled “A Bipartisan Conversation about Leadership in Divided Times.” Honors students also attended a lunch and questioned a panel of national, state, and local officeholders about the current political context. Many thanks to all those responsible for Judson’s World Leaders Forum for the opportunity!

Students Being Awesome

Congratulations to Honors students Joshua LaFollette and Sara Jenkins, Stuart A. Ryder Scholarship winners in second place and honorable mention, respectively, in the 2018 Communication Arts Conference at Judson University!

The Communication Arts end-of-semester conference provides an opportunity for the members of the CA community (which includes majors in Communication Studies, English, Interdisciplinary Communication, Media Business/Management, Media Writing, and Secondary Education: English) to practice their craft in a context that goes beyond the classroom and approximates the “real life” situation of an academic conference.

Josh, a senior Media Writing major, presented on “Music in Advertising.” Sara, a sophomore Secondary Education major, presented a paper on “Graphic Novels in the Classroom.”

Great work, Josh and Sara!

 

 

Present Your Work

If you have a project you are proud of and want the experience of sharing it with interested peers and faculty from around the country, here are two opportunities to present at Honors events, with proposal deadlines approaching.

The Mid East Honors Association annual meeting is in Columbus, Ohio the weekend of March 23-25. Check out the Call for Proposals. The deadline for proposals is February 22.

The National Collegiate Honors Council annual meeting is November 7-11, 2018 in Boston. Proposals are being accepted until March 1. Judson is a member institution, so check with Dr. Kaplowitz for login information if you want to submit a proposal.

For more information, for assistance with a proposal, or to inquire about possible funding to help cover expenses, contact Dr. Kaplowitz. Also check in if you don’t have something to present this year but are interested in attending.

Fall Honors Meet-and-Greet

The Honors Program will sponsor an ice-cream social next Tuesday evening at 7:00 in the Didier Den. Stop by, have some dessert, and meet others in the program. Bring questions and ideas for Program activities and service. Hope to see you there!

Dog Days

The weather cooperated, and the Anderson Animal Shelter of South Elgin came through again! The Honors Program put on another successful Puppy Study Break last week. Thanks to Lacey Wells and her helpers for the legwork, and to JSO for the popsicles.

Some of the scenes from the event:

The Puppies Are Coming!

The Honors Program, along with the Judson Student Organization, will host another Puppy Study Break during exams. Come by the Upper Commons on Wednesday, December 7 between 11:00am-1:00pm for some K-9 stress relief and refreshments.

Pass the word — all are welcome!