Peru, Nebraska – More than 40 students participated in the recent Peru State College Research and Creativity Expo. This was the third year the College hosted the event.

Under the direction of the Research and Creativity Expo Committee, the event was divided into two sections – Poster and Creative Exhibitions and Creative and Oral Presentations. Dr. Timothy Borchers, Vice President for Academic Affairs, chaired the committee. Dr. Borchers noted, “The Research and Creativity Expo allows our students to showcase their scholarly and creative works. This opportunity develops their skills in critical thinking and communication, which are important skills for the workplace or graduate school.”

Other committee members included Dr. Jason Phillips – Assistant Professor of History; Ms. Laura Lippman – Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts; Mr. Ken Curtis – Assistant Professor of Art; Dr. Jude Wright – Assistant Professor of English; Dr. Richard Clopton – Professor of Biology; Ms. Emily Volker – Academic Advisor in Graduate Programs; and Dr. Nathan Netzer – Assistant Professor of Chemistry.

Peru State College President Dr. Michael Evans stated, “Peru State College provides countless opportunities for students to roll up their sleeves and put their learning into action. Through this process, students will deepen their understanding not only of their specific subject but also of the way knowledge is created and new information is learned. Those skills will serve students well for the rest of their lives. The displays and presentations made in this Expo are testaments to their accomplishments and they should be proud of their results.”

Those students participating in the Poster and Creative Session follows, noting the student, major, hometown, and title of their work. The name of the faculty sponsor(s) follows.

Ryan Arnold, a junior biochemical science major from Beatrice, “Breaking Down Space Rocks for Oxygen.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Nathan L. Netzer

Alyse Foster, sophomore criminal justice – administration major from Indianola, “Fat Discrimination in the Theatre Setting.” Faculty sponsor: Ms. Laura Lippman

Mason Clobes, senior biochemical science major from Seward, “Sensing and Synthesis: The Novel Utilization of Metal-Organic Supercontainers.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Nathan L. Netzer

Brandel Riekenberg, senior K-12 health and physical education major from Beatrice, and Jake Trosper, junior K-12 health and physical education major from Stapleton; “Examining the Debate of Specialization and Generalization in the Young Athlete.” Faculty sponsors: Dr. Frank Lynott and Dr. Kyle Ryan

Sam Regan, junior kinesiology major from Atchison, Kan.; Hunter Pavlish, junior kinesiology major from Hiawatha, Kan.; and Colby Robison, sophomore kinesiology major from Pawnee City; “Assessing Strength and Condition for Peru State Athletics.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Kyle Ryan

MaKayla Nagengast, senior disease and health major from Falls City, “Prevalence of Giardia Intestinalis Among Dog Populations from the Tri-States of Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Gul Ahmad

Gabriel Cordoba, junior kinesiology major from San Antonio, Texas; Jose Solis, senior kinesiology major from Los Santos, Panama; and Gustavo Rivera, junior disease and health major from Bayamon, Puerto Rico; “Comparison Between International and National Student-Athletes.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Kyle Ryan

Bryanna Woodard, senior wildlife ecology major from Homer, New Species of Gregarines Infecting the Guyana Orange-Spotted Cockroach, Blaptica Dubia.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. R. E. Clopton

Woodard provided the following comments about her experience with the EXPO: “The Research and Creativity Expo provided me with the experience of presenting my research to the campus, which will help me in the future when I present my graduate research. Pursuing undergraduate research at Peru State has provided me with the skills and techniques that are necessary to allow me to move up into graduate-level research and it has also allowed me to build lifelong relationships with faculty members.”

Elizabeth Jenkins, junior kinesiology major from St. Joseph, Mo.; Kelsie Robinson, senior kinesiology major from Prosser; Sidney Peck, sophomore kinesiology major from Winnipeg, Canada; and Gaby Buetzer-Delgado, junior kinesiology major from Nebraska City; “The Total Quality of Recovery of Peru State Athletes.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Kyle Ryan

Devyn Butorac, senior kinesiology major from Westville, Fla.; Maddy Duncan, junior kinesiology major from Hamburg, Iowa; Samantha Stewart, junior kinesiology major from Maloy, Iowa; Cheyenne Birkle, senior kinesiology major from Holden, Mo.; and Andrea Page, senior kinesiology major from Palisade; “Design Thinking and the Collegiate Student-Athlete.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Kyle Ryan

Maria Alcantara, senior kinesiology major from Recife, Brazil; Ta’Vion Anderson, junior kinesiology major from Omaha; Ty Griggs, sophomore kinesiology from Omaha; and DaJaya Todd, sophomore kinesiology major from Omaha; “Peru State Collegiate Athlete Sleep Study.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Kyle Ryan

Carlos Thomas, senior kinesiology major from Gulfport, Miss.; Clayton Thrasher, senior kinesiology major from Humble, Texas; and Isaiah Cornell, senior kinesiology major from Mount Vernon, Mo.; “Heart of America School Comparisons.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Kyle Ryan

Hunter Pavlish, junior kinesiology major from Hiawatha, Kan.; Kelsie Robinson, senior kinesiology major from Prosser, and Isaiah Cornell, senior kinesiology major from Mount Vernon, Mo.; “Exploring Practice Times and the Effects on Sleep, Mental Health, and Academic Performance.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Shana Walsh

Morgan Wilkie, junior kinesiology major from Bakersfield, Calif.; Maria Alcantara, senior kinesiology major from Recife, Brazil; Devyn Butorac, senior kinesiology major from Westville, Fla.; and DaJaya Todd, sophomore kinesiology major from Omaha; “Dietary Habits of Peru State College Students and Athletes.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Shana Walsh

Ta’Vion Anderson, junior kinesiology major from Omaha; Sam Regan, junior kinesiology major from Atchison, Kan.; and Alex Henzel, K-12 health and physical education major from Lincoln; – “CTE Knowledge and Perception.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Shana Walsh

Kelsi Leininger, senior human resources/risk management and public administration major from Shenandoah, Iowa, and Theresa Frary, senior management major from Brock; – “Operations Work Design Project for Bus 335 – Production/Operations Management.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Jody Woodworth

Kesli Leininger, senior human resources/risk management and public administration major from Shenandoah, Iowa – “Technology as a Lifeline to Assist During the Pandemic.” Faculty sponsors: Dr. Sheri Grotrian, Lisa Parriott, and Brad Griffin

Kaitlyn McNeil, senior psychology major from Sterling – “Personality Parallels in Selection of Undergraduate Major.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Kelly Gardner

Rebecca Hupp, sophomore history major from O’Neill; Sawyer Kinnison, sophomore social science teaching major from Nebraska City; Faith Reynolds, freshman history major from Nebraska City; Carter Hamann, freshman social science teaching major from Auburn; and Shade Emerick, senior English major from Peru; – “World War II Political Cartoons.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Jason Phillips

Those students participating in the Oral and Creative Presentations follows noting the student, major, hometown, and title of their work. The name of the faculty sponsor(s) follows.

Rebecca Hupp, sophomore history major from O’Neill, “Reflections on KCACTF 2022.” Faculty sponsor: Laura Lippman

Matthew Ramold, junior social science teaching major from Nebraska City; Brooklyn Franco, junior history major from Syracuse, Utah; Dennis Kirkpatrick, junior social science major from Auburn; Phillip Hensarling, senior social science teaching major from Broken Bow; Rebecca Hupp, sophomore history major from O’Neill; Rebecca Traeger, sophomore elementary education major from Bennet; and Anastasia Wickizer, junior history major from Auburn; “Washington D.C. Experiential Tour: From the Library of Congress to the Lincoln Memorial…And More.” Faculty sponsors: Dr. Sara Crook and Dr. Jason Phillips

Cam Jones, junior marketing major from Aurora, “Caterpillar Inc. Business Finance.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Jody Woodworth

Matthew Ramold, junior social science teaching major from Nebraska City, “PSC Library: From Basketball Games to Research.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Sara Crook

The following presentations were done on aspects of World War II:

Anastasia Wickizer, junior history major from Auburn, “Nebraska Historical Marker.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Sara Crook

Anastasia Wickizer, junior history major from Auburn, “Guns of Navarone.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Jason Phillips

Barbara Curley-Fail, senior history major from Falls City, “Bridge Over the River Kwai.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Jason Phillips

Jared Mueller, senior social science and history major from Auburn, “Europa, Europa.” Faculty sponsor:  Dr. Jason Phillips

Sara McCrimmon, junior social science teaching major from Wymore, “The Grave of the Fireflies.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Jason Phillips

Brooklyn Franco, junior history major from Syracuse, Utah, “JoJo Rabbit and Me.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Jason Phillips

Rebecca Hupp, sophomore history major from O’Neill, “Casablanca.” Faculty sponsor: Dr. Jason Phillips

One of the busiest individuals at the Expo was Hupp. Only a freshman, Hupp had four different entries into the Expo. She commented, “Two of my projects were for the history classes I was in, one was for the theater conference I went to, and the last one was a last-minute addition about the trip I took to Washington, D.C. I really enjoyed the research that went into my two history projects and getting the chance to share my experiences. This year has shown me all the fantastic opportunities open to students at Peru and just how willing the faculty here are to help students succeed in areas outside the classroom.”

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