Submitted by akennedy on January 14, 2021 – 10:38am
Pearl River Community College’s fifth Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute Research Symposium was held virtually this year. The event included students competing from the Poplarville and Forrest County campuses.
The symposium was put on with the help of William Carey University. Dr. Ben Burnette, Executive Vice-President and the Dean of Education at Carey, played a critical role in supporting PRCC Honors student success. Working alongside Dr. Burnette was Dr. David Lowery, Professor of English and Coordinator of Carey’s Scholar Program.
“When planning for the Fall 2020 Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute Research Symposium, the main objective seemed clear: the symposium must go on,” Vice President for Planning and Institutional Research, the Hancock Center and Dean of Honors Institute for Poplarville Dr. Jennifer Seal and Instructor of English/Dean of Honors Institute Forrest County Campus Dr. Terri Ruckel said in a joint statement. “We whole-heartedly embraced President Dr. Adam Breerwood’s declaration that ‘Wildcats Never Quit.’”
PRCC Honors students from Poplarville and the Forrest County Center met on their respective campuses and filmed their research presentations. Presentations from freshman and sophomore students were grouped into categories representing STEM, the Social Sciences and the Humanities. Videos were then forwarded to Burnette and Lowery and the Carey professors recruited to serve as evaluators for the virtual symposium.
Symposium judges included Dr. Jonathan Brooke, Asst. Professor of History; Dr. John Mark Nicovich, Professor of History; Dr. Janie Bower, Professor of Mathematics; Dr. Jaylnn Roberts, Professor of Research and Statistics; Dr. Mary Mackey, Professor of Chemistry and Physical Science; Dr. Lorie Massey, Professor of English; and Dr. Marsha Newman, Professor of English.
The evaluators followed rubric guidelines to score each presentation and provided the students with comments and suggestions. These notes are sure to prove helpful to the students in preparation for the Mississippi Honors Conference being hosted by Mississippi University for Women during the Spring 2021 semester.
Students tackled various subjects such as COVID-19 related topics, technological advances, and infrastructure.
The submitted students presentations and results of their evaluation placements are as listed:
SOCIAL SCIENCE
Sophomore Level
First Place (Tie): Jennifer Kerry
First Place (Tie): Michelle Legg
Freshman Level
First Place: Jolie Pervel
Second Place: Joseph Forsman
Third Place: Brianna Wood
STEM
Sophomore Level
First Place: Lauren Sumrall
Second Place: Quindalin Harper
Freshman Level
First Place: Hannah Lambert
Second Place: Mason Wheeler-Shigley
Third Place: Patrick Dunkle
HUMANITIES
Sophomore Level
First Place: Jessica Roberts
Second Place: Michael Littlejohn
Freshman Level
First Place: Samuel Largen
Second Place: Lane Evans
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats) Instagram](PRCCWILDCATS) and Facebook(@PRCCMKTG).
–
Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.
