Ouachita Stories

The Ouachita Baptist University Carl Goodson Honors Program will host its 18th annual Scholars Day on Wednesday, April 25. The event, sponsored by Ouachita’s Alpha Tau student honors organization, focuses on the academic achievements accomplished throughout the school year by students from various disciplines.

“Scholars Day started as a way for students doing original research in their own disciplines to show their best work to the rest of campus,” said Dr. Barbara Pemberton, professor of Christian missions and director of Ouachita’s Carl Goodson Honors Program. “It provides an opportunity for students to gain confidence in presenting their work. Students and faculty also learn to appreciate the scholarly research that is being done all across campus.”

There will be more than 150 presentations throughout the day and more than 250 students participating, from individuals and groups ranging from freshmen to seniors. Presentation topics include science posters, musical recitals, theatre scenes, art on display and papers highlighting history, literature, psychology and more. The day also features 38 students who will present their senior honors theses and projects.

Ashley Sharpe, a senior Christian missions and theology major from Houston, Texas, has been a member of the honors program since her freshman year and will present her thesis about how Christianization contributed to cultural preservation for certain northern First Nations people.

“I have personally experienced invaluable mentoring and preparation for graduate school research as a result of my time in the program,” Sharpe said. “I was a research grant recipient, which gave me solo travel experience as well as practice planning research methods.”

Seth Daniell, a senior music composition major from Arkadelphia, Ark., serves as academic chair for Alpha Tau and will present his senior thesis on the different aspects and considerations of constructed musical language.

“Scholars Day is important for a couple of reasons,” Daniell said. “It allows students to share their research, which is something that inspires others to strive toward academic excellence. It also allows these students to present their work in person and interact with other people regarding their topics, which is an invaluable skill to learn.”

Sodexo will provide lunch on the campus lawn. Ouachita’s chapter of Alpha Chi national honor society will hold an induction ceremony at 1 p.m. Research presentations will follow at various locations around campus. A schedule of presentations and locations is available at obu.edu/honors. Printed programs also will be available on the day of the event.

Prospective students will be on Ouachita’s campus for Scholars Day and will be paired up with an Alpha Tau member to learn more about the university and the honors program. To sign up to attend this campus visit event, visit obu.edu/visit/#tigerdays.

For more information, contact Dr. Barbara Pemberton at [email protected] or (870) 245-5541.

 

By Sarah Davis // Photo by Kenzie Henderson

April 20, 2018