news-category: ĆŪ¶¹Ö±²„ ĆŪ¶¹Ö±²„ Students Demonstrate Academic Excellence at Life-of-the-Scholar Multidisciplinary Conference By Office of University Communications On April 9, 2026 Andrew Wilson presented "Elucidating Elimia: Affinities of North Carolina Freshwater Snails.ā Annual Conference Showcased Outstanding Research Across Multiple Fields BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.āGardnerāWebb University students brought curiosity, creativity, and months of hard work to the spotlight during the annual LifeāofātheāScholar Multidisciplinary Conference (LOTS-MC). With research spanning everything from freshwater snails to historical propaganda, the event showcased the depth and diversity of student scholarship that has defined LOTSāMC for nearly three decades. Professor of English Dr. Shea Stuart, left, welcomed the presenters and guests, and Director of Undergraduate Research Dr. Elizabeth Amato explained the prizes offered. āI’m always amazed at the incredible level of scholarship our students display,ā noted Professor of English Dr. Shea Stuart, a member of the LOTS Advisory Board. āThey research in depth and present a topic in front of students and professors with professionalism and poise. Sharing research and knowledge with each otherāthis is the ideal of a university education.ā The faculty showcase highlighted research by Professor of Paleontology Dr. David Campbell. His presentation was titled, āSnailless in Seattle and Aiders of the Lost Arks: Adventures with Snail and Clam DNA.ā Presentation Prizes Dr. Elizabeth Amato, director of Undergraduate Research, sponsored prizes for the Peopleās Choice Presentation and the Best Paper. Each award has a first ($125), second ($75), and a third place ($50). The Peopleās Choice ended in a three-way tie, with each winner or group receiving the first place prize of $125. Winners included: Daniel Bennett won second place for his presentation, “Isolation of Cuminaldehyde from Cuminum Cyminun and Subsequent Reduction to Cuminol: Characterization by IR-Spectroscopy and GC-MS.” People’s Choice Undergraduate Roundtable, featuring the members of the Ethics Bowl Team; Mentors: Dr. Anna Sieges Beal and Dr. Shea Stuart Bethany Durham. Dana Ijames. Best Paper First Place – $125, Andrea Stampone. Second place – $75, Daniel Bennett. Third place – $50, Leanna Tally.āāā The members of the LOTS-MC steering committee were Holly Mabry, Dr. Bruce Moser, Hannah Wylder, Dr. Meredith Rowe, Dr. Melissa McNeilly, Dr. Heather Wright, Dr. Elizabeth Amato, Noel Manning, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Robert Prickett. Debbie Hill provided administrative support. Student Presentations PowerPoint slides for the presentations are available in . Undergraduate Roundtable: Issa Cogdell Hodges McCathern Brock Nikkari Maeve McGinley Alaena Locklear Sophie Boss Natural Sciences Andrew Wilsonā”Elucidating Elimia: Affinities of North Carolina Freshwater Snailsā; Mentor: Dr. David Campbell. Daniel Bennettā”Isolation of Cuminaldehyde from Cuminum Cyminun and Subsequent Reduction to Cuminol: Characterization by IR-Spectroscopy and GC-MSā; Mentor: Dr. Ben Brooks. Matthew McCoy Stoweā”Review of Dihydroartemisinin and Its Potential as a Neutral Chemotherapeuticā; Mentor: Dr. Meredith Rowe. Bella Hardingā”Morphea Skin Diseaseā; Mentor: Dr. Meredith Rowe. Jada Pittmanā”Red Light Therapy: Mechanisms, Benefits, and Emerging Applicationsā; Mentor: Dr. Meredith Rowe. Social Sciences Bethany Durham, left, tied for the People’s Choice Award with the Undergraduate Roundtable and Dana Ijames, and Andrea Stampone won the Best Paper Prize. Andrea Stamponeā”Propaganda and the Italian Battle for Wheatā; Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Amato. Bethany Durhamā”Womenās Role as Perpetrators of Genocide and Why the Media Doesnāt Portray Them as Suchā; Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Amato. Allie Johnsonā”Press Control and Censorship Throughout the Reign of Terrorā; Mentor: Dr. David Yelton. Religious Studies Leanna Tallyā”Corporate Personality and Sin in the Old Testamentā; Mentor: Dr. Paula Qualls. Brandon RichmondĀ¬ā”A Black Comparative Religious Study of Christianity and Islamā; Mentor: Dr. Scott Shauf. Dana Ijamesā”Battle for the Womb: Reimagining Revelation 12 The Woman Clothed with the Sun Through a Black Womanist Hermeneutic Lensā; Mentor: Dr. Robert Canoy. Carson Ford Gruberā”A Comparison and Analysis of Heaven and Hell in the New Testament, New Testament Apocrypha, and Danteās Divine Comedyā; Mentor: Dr. Scott Shauf. Joy Axelsonā”Unchanging Gospel Message, Changing Context: Contextualization Strategies in Lukan Paul, Irenaeus, and Althanasiusā; Mentor: Dr. Scott Shauf. Avery Marie Sharpeā”Hospitality in an Old Testament Lensā; Mentor: Dr. Paula Qualls. Education and Psychology Persaius Stringfieldā”Childhood ĆŪ¶¹Ö±²„: It Takes a Villageā; Mentor: Kara Alves. Morgan Lillyā”Fantasy Audiobooks and Medieval Aural Traditionā; Mentor: Dr. Josh Pittman. ĆŪ¶¹Ö±²„ University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., ĆŪ¶¹Ö±²„ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at . Interested in Research? Start your journey here. Andrew Wilson presented "Elucidating Elimia: Affinities of North Carolina Freshwater Snails.ā
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