April 16, 2019
Walsh University undergraduate students presented their original research, class projects and service learning experiences during the Academic Celebration of Excellence Symposium (ACES) on Tuesday, April 16. Under the direction of ACES Coordinator, Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Laci Fiala, the 2019 spring symposium included 35 posters of unique student research in the Barrette Business and Community Center, along with several oral presentations in the St. Martha’s room. The research covered a wide range of disciplines, including Behavioral and Health Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Music, Graphic Design and more.
ACES gives students in all disciplines on the campus the opportunity to share their research with the greater community.
"Presenting our Music research at ACES has helped to give music a voice," said sophomore music major Ellen Wallenfang. "It shows that Music is equally as important as the other disciplines that usually seem more research heavy, proving that music has a seat at the academic table. I have also learned a lot about teamwork and collaboration through working in a group on this project to be able to present it today."
Communications and Graphic Design senior Melissa Johnson presented her Graphic Design portfolio along with others in the Graphic Design IV class.
"I have enjoyed sharing my portfolio at events like this because it is good practice for sharing my work in the future," said Johnson. "Sometimes when I am sharing work, it can be uncomfortable because it is personal. It can be hard to welcome criticism, but it’s important to receive it constructively. The Walsh community, especially within Graphic Design, has been a great support along the way."
Students enrolled in the Honors Great Ideas of Humanity course with Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Rytwinski presented a collection of five posters studying Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as related to war and conflict starting at the American Civil War and continuing through present day.
"In my Honors Class with Dr. Rytwinski, we spent time researching different mental health disorders in depth and especially PTSD," said sophomore Computer Science Pre-Engineering student Madigan Malin. "As a Computer Science student, this is something that I wouldn’t have probably looked at in depth in my regular coursework, but being able to research and present this to the greater community helped me to understand more about the people I might work with in the future."