Hastings College presents the sixth-annual Academic Showcase Day from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Tuesday, April 27. Students will showcase their original research and academic achievements for the HC community at four locations on campus, including Wilson Auditorium, Hazelrigg Student Union Room C, Fuhr Hall Band Room and Perkins Auditorium.

Academic Showcase events and presentations are free and open to the public.

2010 Academic Showcase Schedule
Monday, April 26
7 p.m. – Keynote Address by Dr. Cheryl Charles, president and co-founder of the Children & Nature Network, in French Memorial Chapel.

Tuesday, April 27
9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Academic Showcase Day Student Presentations (see schedule below)

Wednesday, April 28
10 a.m. – Student Sermon Contest winner Cindy Eschliman, Hutchinson, Kan., will lead service with her winning sermon “Thy Will be Done” in French Memorial Chapel.

To participate in Academic Showcase Day, students submitted proposals in January that included a summary of their presentation and a letter of support from a faculty sponsor. Proposals were reviewed by committee for final selection in March. Students are given 20 minutes for each presentation, followed by a discussion and question and answer time.

Student Presentation Schedule for Academic Showcase Day - Tuesday, April 27:

9-10:20 a.m. – Individual Presentations

Wilson Auditorium
“Wartime Rape”
Jessica Thompson, Pine, Colo.

“Ultraviolet Enhanced Laser Spark Formation”
Katrina McNally, Loveland, Colo.

“Music...a Dangerous Sport?”
Adreanne Brungardt, Brush, Colo. and Nathan Mertens, Waverly, Neb.

Hazelrigg Student Union Room C
“What the He** Happened?”
Jon Tanner, Fort Collins, Colo.

“Outspoken: Understanding the Gay Dialect”
Kenny Smith, Aurora, Colo.

“Perceptions about Society: Viewers Internalizing Stereotypes and Attitudes Portrayed on Reality Television”
Chrissy Peard, Phillips, Neb.

Fuhr Hall Band Room
“Symbolic Constructs: Community Building through Local Festivals”
Kelsi Potts, Cambridge, Neb.

“The Effects of Ostracism on Pro-Social Behavior”
Brittney England, Giltner, Neb.

“The Flowery Wars of the Aztecs”
Sean Danehey, Bladen, Neb.

Perkins Auditorium
“Crossing Borders: The Real Faces of Immigration”
Elyse Appelgate, Lakewood, Colo. and Kevin Wright, Mansfield, Penn.

“How Many Elephants Would You Like? It’s Your Circus Now”
Tom Lesiak, Cedar Bluffs, Neb.

“Beef: It’s What’s for Britain”
Hannah Witt, Hastings, Neb.

10:30-11:50 a.m. – Individual Presentations

Wilson Auditorium
“Classification of Music Performers and Instruments”
Thomas Mahoney, Mitchell, Neb.

“Geopolitical Nationalism: The Emergence of 19th Century Nationalism in Serbia”
Heidi Hullinger, Westminster, Colo.

“SPID: Spreading Misandry through Advertising”
Corey Reutlinger, Lexington, Neb.

Hazelrigg Student Union Room C
“Formation of New Relationships in Later Life: A Response to Loneliness”
Samantha Minne, Grand Island, Neb.

“Industrial Schools in Ireland: A Long and Unfortunate History”
Taylor Nieves, Ogallala, Neb.

Fuhr Hall Band Room
“Going Green is Harder Than You Think: The Dirty Details of Leadership”
Meghan Duryea, Lincoln, Neb.

“Can Sexually Violent Crimes Be Reduced? A Look at the Working Motives of Rapists and the Movement to Prevent the Problem”
Bree Robbins, Hastings, Neb.

Perkins Auditorium
“Always a "Fighting Red": The Various Standpoints on a Controversial Mascot”
Katie Armstrong, Eaton, Colo.

“Pieces of Elsewhere: My Musical Exploration Abroad”
Jennifer Riley, Waverly, Neb.

12-1:20 p.m. – Lunch Break

1:30 – 3:45 p.m. – Group Presentations

Wilson Auditorium

1:30–2:10
“Exploring Family History and Culture through Food”
David Babalola, Hanover, Germany; Sean McMullan, Belfast, Northern Ireland; Hillary Melvin, Hastings, Neb.; Melissa Müller, Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Megan Trujillo, Craig, Neb.; Cassie Waldron, Fairbury, Neb.

2:15–2:55
“Let’s Talk about Sex (Education) Baby”
Meghan Duryea, Lincoln, Neb.; Danae Garfield, Aurora, Neb.; Jocelyn Schade, Hastings, Neb.; Jennifer Sharrick, Hastings, Neb.; Kenny Smith, Aurora, Colo.

3:00–3:40
“International Student Teaching: Our Experiences in Central America”
Jackie Carpenter, Oxford, Neb.; Kelsea Jones, Auburn, Neb.; Kirsten Kreutz, Inland, Neb.; Annie Peters, Lafayette, Ind.

The 2010 Academic Showcase Committee includes; committee co-chairs Dr. Mark Hall, associate professor of mathematics and computer science, and Dr. Daniel Deffenbaugh, associate professor of religion and philosophy; Dr. Anne Fairbanks, acting vice president of academic affairs and dean of the faculty; Dr. Robert Amyot, assistant professor of political science; Dr. James Loch, associate professor of teacher education; Dr. Hillary Watter, professor of music; and student members Rochelle Finnigan, Omaha, Neb., Heidi Hullinger, Westminster, Colo., and Nathan Mertens, Waverly, Neb.

Hastings College cancels classes one day a year to allow students, faculty, staff and community to share and celebrate student academic achievement at Academic Showcase Day. Visit www.hastings.edu/as for more information and to see a full list of this year’s student presentations.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,150 students. Hastings College was named 75th Best Value College in the nation and #1 in Nebraska by Forbes.com and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. It was named a 2010 “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review and rated a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.

For more information, contact Dr. Mark Hall at (402)461-7481 or Dr. Dan Deffenbaugh at (402) 461-7340.