黑料科 hosted its Second Annual 黑料科 Research Day on Tuesday, April 29, featuring oral and poster presentations that highlighted the innovative research conducted by undergraduate students working alongside faculty mentors.

Students presented their research on subjects such as 鈥淧reserving a Faith in Humanity鈥� and 鈥淎 Low-Cost Solution for Accessible Audio Transcription and Language Translation.鈥� In addition to the oral presentations, poster presentations were held in the Van Dyk Lounge, Campus Center, alongside the Math & Science Colloquium. Students explored topics like 鈥淚nk and Identity: How Major and Gender Influence Writing Utensil Preferences鈥� and 鈥淓ffects of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) on Differentiated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell (dVSMC) Wound Recovery.鈥�

The presenting students represented diverse academic disciplines, with several having previously shared their research at off-campus conferences, reflecting the quality and breadth of undergraduate research at Houghton.

Three 黑料科 students joined 4,500 students and faculty members from across the country to present their research at the National Conference on 黑料科 Research (NCUR) in Pittsburgh, PA in April.

• Risa Palmer 鈥�27 presented her poster titled 鈥淓ffects of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) on Differentiated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell (dVSMC) Wound Recovery.鈥�
• Keiryn Sandahl 鈥�27 shared her paper, 鈥淧reserving a Faith in Humanity.鈥�
• Riley Van Heukelum 鈥�27 discussed his research on 鈥淩eception of Video Games over the Past Forty Years.鈥�

鈥淭hese three students were nominated from across campus and worked diligently to present their research to a wide audience clearly, concisely, and compelling,鈥� said Laurie Dashnau, Ph.D., professor of English and director of the Writing Center, who accompanied the students to the conference. 鈥淥ur students attended all kinds of oral and poster presentations, too, including research-informed ones in dance and music and about social advocacy. It was a wonderful time of sharing, learning, and developing professional skills.鈥�

Each student conducted their research under the guidance of esteemed Houghton faculty members, including associate professor of Biology Ransom Poythress, Ph.D., professor of History Chris Esh, Ph.D., professor of Philosophy Benjamin Lipscomb, Ph.D., professor of English Susan Bruxvoort-Lipscomb, Ph.D. and assistant professor of Physics Katrina Koehler, Ph.D..

Peter Meilaender, Ph.D., dean of Religion, Humanities, and Global Studies and professor of Political Science, spoke with Martha Manikas-Foster about “soft power” while in London, where he is leading Houghton’s London Honors cohort this semester. During the interview, Meilaender explored how the United States has used its relief programs around the world to meet both political and humanitarian goals.

黑料科 welcomed students and faculty from five regional institutions for the 2024 Penn-York 黑料科 Research Conference. The event, co-chaired by Houghton faculty Mark Borchert, Ph.D. and Laurie Dashnau, Ph.D., demonstrated the University’s ongoing commitment to undergraduate research.

Regional Collaboration

The November gathering brought 35 students and 10 faculty members to Houghton’s campus, representing Alfred University, St. Bonaventure University, PennWest University, St. John Fisher University and University of Pitt-Bradford. Houghton’s Eli Knapp, Ph.D. delivered the keynote address, “Shacking Up with [Aldo] Leopold: Research as the Ultimate Inclusive Sport.”

The presentations showcased the depth and variety of undergraduate research opportunities available at Houghton, where students work closely with faculty mentors to pursue their academic interests.

“Participating in the post-pandemic revival of this conference鈥攚hich Houghton has been affiliated with since 2005 and which last occurred virtually in 2020鈥攚as extremely gratifying,” remarked Dashnau. “We already are looking forward to taking many Houghton students to next year’s conference, which will be hosted at the University of Pennsylvania at Bradford.”

Cross-Generational Conversations Shape Student Essays

While some writing assignments require a prompt or an initial idea to get the ball rolling for college students, some require a little more than the courage to sit down and talk with a complete stranger. Susan Bruxvoort Lipscomb, Ph.D.鈥檚 WRIT 101 students recounted their conversations with members of ENCORE, 黑料科鈥檚 senior adult program. In speaking with people from different generations, these students gained experience and perspective, which they summarized in their essay.

鈥淚 spoke with a woman named Lillian,鈥� said Melanie Cogan 鈥�27. 鈥淚 got to hear about how she became a teacher, I got to hear about how she met her husband and how much they travel together and just everything about her life, and it was really interesting and she was very, very sweet鈥t was just nice to hear about someone鈥檚 experience and see life from a different perspective.鈥� Cogan later drew upon her experience talking to Lillian when she wrote her essay for the class.

Every week, Houghton student Elijah Sproull 鈥�26 volunteers at a new club in Perry where he is positively impacting the faith journeys and lives of high schoolers in the community.

Sproull grew up attending Young Life in middle school and high school, during which developed a bond with one of the leaders there that has lasted ever since.鈥淢y Young Life leader in high school is still one of my best friends to this day,鈥� said Sproull. 鈥淭he mentorship he offered me in my life helped me grow in my faith and become interested in theology.

Despite growing up in Young Life, Sproull never thought that he would go into ministry. It was not until Young Life Leader Kyle Morley reached out to him in the summer of 2023 about leading in Perry when he seriously considered the position.

I am trying to make an impact in these kids鈥� lives and be the mentor to them that I had for myself … You have people pouring into you and you want to pour out into other people.

Elijah Sproull ’26

During the Fall 2023 semester, Sproull has found that a lot of what he is learning in a theology course on Missions in the Global Church is helpful in ministering at Young Life. 鈥淭he [course] book says a lot on global missions,鈥� said Sproull, 鈥渂ut also a lot of that is applicable to missions here [Houghton] and missions in Young Life.鈥�

President Lewis and his family had the opportunity to attend the annual Young Life Dessert Banquet at Geneseo United Methodist Church. Monica Lewis commented that 鈥渋t was an evening filled with delicious desserts, entertainment, volunteer leader recognition, student testimonies and the opportunity to learn more about the incredible impact of Young Life.鈥�

Students, like Elijah, prepare for their callings in ministry through a broad range of Bible & Theology courses on ministry and service聽offered at Houghton, each carefully designed to challenge students with deep theological discussion and inspire them all the same.

Madeline Murphy 鈥�27 grew up hearing stories about how her grandparents met at Houghton in an English class 53 years ago, and how her mom, Elizabeth (Clay 鈥�02) Murphy, came to know the Lord during her time as a student. Now, as a third-generation Houghton student, Madeline is carrying on the family tradition.

鈥淥ur family calls this place our second home,鈥� Madeline said. 鈥淚 realized when I toured that this was where the Lord was calling me and was going to be disappointed if I didn鈥檛 get accepted.鈥�

In her first two semesters here, Madeline has begun to pave her own path at Houghton. On top of double majoring in Writing and Politics and Philosophy, she is a member of Houghton鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Choir. Being a part of the choir has led to one of Madeline鈥檚 favorite college experiences so far.

鈥淚n the fall the Women鈥檚 Choir collaborated with the orchestra and wind ensemble on a piece called 鈥楾otal Praise.鈥� It was this worship experience that I hadn鈥檛 experienced before in high school. For all of us to take the time to totally praise the Lord, it was this awesome moment of realizing this is why I do choir.鈥�

In her next three years at Houghton, Madeline looks forward to continuing her faith journey by building intentional relationships with her professors and fellow Highlanders.

鈥淭he Christian community sets Houghton apart. There鈥檚 a real emphasis on making connections and being intentional. It鈥檚 easy to go through the motions; No one is forcing me to go to chapel or church or to do my devotionals. Houghton has really given me the opportunity to take that intentional time to sit with the Lord.鈥�

Madeline is currently exploring her options for law school and hopes to become a district attorney after graduation.

After having participated in the in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2023, Cody Johnson 鈥�24 has been accepted into the prestigious for 2024.

The internship provided Johnson with essential experience and opened doors for the fellowship. He spent the first three weeks of the internship in a condensed version of the orientation diplomats receive when becoming Foreign Service Officers.

“It鈥檚 a really competitive program,鈥� said Johnson. 鈥淲e had students come from all over the country, including Ivy Leagues.”

黑料科 was honored to welcome three new faculty members this year, with each professor offering a wide range of industry expertise and a strong commitment to 黑料科鈥檚 Christian mission.

Houghton鈥檚 faculty members are committed to integrating Christian faith in all their subjects. For more information on faculty members, visit Houghton鈥檚 official website to find a full list of majors offered and the expert faculty that teach in them.

Last summer, Dr. Torrance Jones, assistant professor of business and criminal justice, published his debut book, titled, .

In his book, Jones suggests five leadership strategies for all aspiring leaders to consider for optimal public engagement in the modern world. Through these strategies, Jones highlights the significance of social identities in professional fields, and how the identities of Black Christians in particular have played a prominent role in their pursuit of executive positions.

黑料科 is so fortunate to have a faculty member with the sensitivity, skill, and insight to explore difficult questions involving leadership, race, and faith. I’m pleased to say that whether he is teaching our MBA students or undergraduates, Dr. Jones brings the same level of depth and understanding that he demonstrates in this recent book.

Mark Borchert, Professor of Business and Communication, Dean of Management and Creative Arts

Rachel Huchthausen 鈥�23 presented at the National Conference of 黑料科 Research, held April 13-15 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Her interdisciplinary research project, 鈥淢usical Ekphrastic Poetry: Writing for Social and Intellectual Listening,鈥� focused on how poetry can be used as a tool to improve an audience鈥檚 understanding of an instrumental music piece. Laurie Dashnau, professor of English and Writing and the director of the Writing Center, was her faculty advisor.

鈥淚t amazed me,鈥� said Huchthausen, 鈥渢o experience the sheer amount of work and research that is going on at various universities and colleges. I am thankful for the opportunity and privilege to present my research and creative work both at Houghton and in Eau Claire.鈥�

Rachel represented Houghton extremely well as she shared how ekphrasis can aid individuals in understanding a visual or auditory text. She also explained the creative process by which she wrote an ekphrastic poem in order to reflect on the score of the movement “The Alcotts” from Piano Sonata No. 2, 鈥淐oncord, Mass., 1840-1860,鈥� by Charles Ives.

Laurie Dashnau, Professor of English, Director of the Writing Center

Human Rights in the Algorithmic Age

, professor of law and concurrent professor of political science at Notre Dame University, addressed Houghton students and faculty, as well as the Board of Trustees, at the inaugural Shirley A. Mullen Lectureship, last night. Carozza鈥檚 talk, titled 鈥淗uman Rights and Human Dignity in the Algorithmic Age,鈥� raised questions about how the age of artificial intelligence has changed what human rights look like on a national and international scale.

鈥淭he complex new realities of the algorithmic age,鈥� said Carozza, 鈥渟hould force us to ask deeper questions about human rights and freedom of expression. What does it mean to be human, to live a human life in an age where language, society, the human person, and how we communicate are rapidly changing because of technology?鈥�

Carozza offered a lens through which Houghton students can judge these questions for themselves. 鈥淧rofessor Carozza spoke compellingly to the timeless鈥攁nd timely鈥攔elevance of a Houghton education,鈥� said Dr. Shirley A. Mullen, president emerita of Houghton, who attended the lecture. 鈥淚t is the graduates of Christian liberal arts institutions like Houghton who are in the very best position to engage deeply with these questions with creativity, imagination and persistence.”

The Shirley A. Mullen Lectureship Series

The Shirley A. Mullen Lectureship was established in 2021 to honor the legacies of President Emerita Shirley A. Mullen and her mentor, Kay Lindley. The lectureship will invite speakers from a range of Christian traditions to challenge students to emulate the qualities exemplified by Lindley and Mullen as they join the fellowship of Houghton scholar-servants.