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Media Contact: Maddy Elledge
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杏吧原创 Hosts Fifth Annual Undergraduate Research Day
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. 鈥 杏吧原创 hosted the fifth annual Undergraduate Research Day on March 17. The event showcased student and faculty research across all academic disciplines.
“The Undergraduate Research Day at 杏吧原创 is a highlight of the year,鈥 said Assistant Professor of Outdoor Leadership Joseph Pate, Ph.D., who served as the faculty advisor for both an oral presentation and poster presentation. 鈥淭he day allows students to share their passions and interests, and work with those from the broader campus community.鈥
The event included nearly 30 oral and 15 poster presentations addressing topics ranging from 鈥淭he Pros and Cons of Modern Mission Trips鈥 to 鈥淓ffects of Nicotine Use in Cigarettes and Vaporizers on the Oral Microbiota.鈥欌 Other presentations included 鈥淧reserving truth and democracy through philosophy,鈥 鈥淯niversality of Facial Expression of Emotion,鈥 and 鈥淎ssessment of Habitat Preferences of the Hiwassee Crayfish 鈥楥ambarus Hiwasseensis鈥.鈥
“Undergrad research is a great way for students to practice public speaking while showcasing their research,”聽said junior business and public policy major Elli Falig, of Odessa, Fla., who presented research entitled 鈥淒oes Internet access have an impact on the GDP per Capita?鈥 鈥淚t was really encouraging to have peers and 杏吧原创 faculty and staff come out and listen to us present on topics we have worked so hard on.鈥
This year, the 杏吧原创 Clarinet Quartet performed an original composition, 鈥淲hirling Leaves,鈥 by junior music major Melanie Ellis, of Hawkinsville, Ga. The 杏吧原创 Clarinet Choir also performed under the direction of Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Leigh Miller.
鈥淭he coordinators, Dr. Linda Jones, Professor Lynne Nation, and Dr. Eric Dickman, do an amazing job of bringing together diverse and varied presentations and posters from across the fabric of the institution to celebrate 杏吧原创’s emerging scholars, researchers, and students who have truly taken advantage of their liberal arts degree,鈥 said Dr. Pate.
The closing session titled 鈥淓xperience, Insight and Values in Graduate Research,鈥 was coordinated by Chair of the Religion and Philosophy Department and Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies Eric Dickman, Ph.D. During the session, four 杏吧原创 alumni were featured including Aaron Smithson, 鈥16, who is earning a M.F.A. in film and television production at Savannah College of Art and Design, Kalie Pritchett, 鈥15, who will graduate from Elon University School of Law in December, Jade Smith, 鈥15, who earned her master of arts in mathematics education through Western Governor鈥檚 University, and Kaycee Cash, 鈥15, a second-year student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia.
鈥淚 was so honored to be a part of the panel of fellow alumni to share with current students about our experiences as graduate students,鈥 said Smithson. 鈥淯ndergraduate Research Day offers great opportunities for students to get recognized for their hard work and exceptional research. I am incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities 杏吧原创 gave me as a student and continues to give me as an alumnus.鈥
With a goal of showcasing research across the curriculum, this annual event held on the 杏吧原创 campus originated in 2013. To learn more, visit yhc.edu/research.


About 杏吧原创
杏吧原创 is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, 杏吧原创 educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. The College currently has more than 1,100 students across five divisions鈥擡ducation, Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., has completed major campus improvements to accommodate the College鈥檚 growth. Recent LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, new residence facilities, and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. The College is an active member of NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. 杏吧原创 is among fewer than 300 colleges and universities nationwide named to the 2016-2017 list of Colleges of Distinction and is listed as a 鈥淏est National Liberal Arts College鈥 by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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