Last month was the 2025 Honors Research Symposium hosted by the honors program, which consisted of student projects and internships who presented from four different academic divisions. These divisions were Humanities, Arts and Education, Math and Science, and Social Science and Business. This was an all-day event starting at 9:30 and continued until 5:30. The day started with the Science and Math presentations, followed by the Keynote speaker, Dr. Kate Harlin, Assistant Professor of Post-Colonial Literature. After the keynote speech, the rest of the day was the Poser and Awards Ceremony, followed by the Arts and Education, Religious studies, Humanities, and lastly, the Social Science and Business division projects and speeches.
Being asked to give a presentation at this event was extremely beneficial to students and gave them an opportunity to show off their academic achievements as well as present topics they care most about. Matthew Crabtree, a senior from Fairbury, Illinois, is a Criminal Justice and Sociology major with a Psychology minor, gave a presentation for the Social Science and Business division titled “Overview of Victimology” which is scientific study of the psychological effects of crime as well as the relationship between victims and offenders. This presentation was important to Crabtree, who is hoping to study forensics in graduate school.
“This is important to me because I feel that we don’t focus enough on why crime happens, and why there are certain people who are targeted more than others. This is important research to consider as we move toward a more rehabilitative approach to criminals”
Having the opportunity to present something at the symposium was a nomination-based process given from professors and the head of each division who made the final choice. Other presentations throughout the day included an arts and education presentation given by senior vocal performance major, Baylor Cluver. Throughout the presentation, Cluver discusses the process of crafting her own 60-minute recital, describing the hard work and time that goes into it. The presentation was followed by two songs from her recital which were “How Fair This Spot” by Sergei Rachmaninoff and “Vanilla Ice Cream” from the musical She Loves Me.
During the symposium, there was also a reception for students who were nominated and earned awards and scholarships in their departments. Many awards and scholarships were given, and the awards were placed outside of the Terrill Rooms for students to pick up and enjoy the reception. Although some students were disappointed that there was not a ceremony for the awards, considering there has been a ceremony on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in the past, other students and faculty said it made it easier for them to pick up their award without having to give up their weekend plans.
Overall, the 2025 Honors Research Symposium seemed to be a success. Students who got to present topics they are most passionate about were proud of themselves, and the professors who nominated them were just as proud.
