The Hastings College Phi Omega chapter of Lambda Pi Eta hosted the Nebraska Undergraduate Communication Research Conference on April 16, 2011. Sixty students from five different colleges attended the event, including Wayne State College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Washburn University (KS), Kansas State University and Hastings College. Em Griffin, Professor Emeritus from Wheaton College (IL) and author of the best selling “Communication Theory” textbook in the nation, delivered the keynote address.

“It's hard to put an event like this in perspective,” said Hastings College Professor of Communication Arts Dr. John Perlich, Director of the conference, “These are undergraduate students doing research projects that are on par with graduate students. All of the faculty members in attendance were impressed with the caliber of undergraduate research.” 

Hastings College senior Kelsi Potts, Cambridge, Neb., was recognized with a top paper award. Student presenters from Hastings College included Michelle Berry, Hastings, Neb., Heidi Hullinger, Westminster, Colo., Anna Mullen, Des Moines, Iowa, Luke Bishard, Evergreen, Colo., Katie Allsup-Armostrong, Eaton, Colo., Blake Horstmann, Bailey, Colo., Sara Tall, San Diego, Calif., and Stacey Boyce, Pueblo West, Colo. Hastings College Professor of Communication Arts Dr. Jessica Henry served as a respondent for the panel, “Applications in contradictions: talk & silence, conventionality & uniqueness.”

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 1,190 students. Hastings College was named among “America’s Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report, a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review, and a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.

For more information, contact Dr. John Perlich at (402) 461-7706.