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Friday, December 15, 2023

Westminster College honors student Lily Hefner presented a research paper, “Using Low-Activity MAOA as a Mitigating Factor in the United States Criminal Justice System,” at the 58th annual conference of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) in Chicago in November.

A junior molecular biology and criminal justice studies double major from Washington, Pa., Hefner’s paper was a product of work completed for her interdisciplinary Honors Program research project.

Hefner’s research examines the role a particular gene can play in the likelihood of someone committing a crime. She evaluates how an unstable or abusive environment during adolescence combined with this genetic predisposition may be more likely to cause certain behaviors.

“Attending NCHC was a great learning experience. I feel much more confident in my own knowledge and my ability to share my thoughts in a clear and polished way. I think this was an important first step into larger academic circles,” said Hefner.

Funding for conference expenses was provided by the Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research. The All-College Honors Program provided additional funding which supports participation in academic programs and research for honors students.

Attending the conference with Hefner was Dr. Jamie Chapman, associate professor of sociology and director of the Honors Program.

Click here for information about the All-College Honors Program at Westminster College.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

More than 400 students from Westminster College and the Wilmington Area School District participated in the recent Environmental Art in the Community showcase, which culminated in a series of events and an awards ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 3.

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Several biology and molecular biology majors from Westminster College presented their capstone research posters at a semester-end event on Friday, Dec. 1.

In these disciplines, the focus of the capstone project is the application of the scientific method through the design, execution, analysis and presentation of an experimental study.

Friday, December 8, 2023

Students and faculty musicians from the Westminster College School of Music will present a concert of Christmas favorites at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, in Berlin Lounge of the McKelvey Campus Center on the College’s campus.

Friday, December 8, 2023

Dr. Kristin Park, professor of sociology at Westminster College, offered a lecture on Amish culture and customs during the Sharon Historical Society’s annual meeting on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Sharon Municipal Building in Sharon, Pa.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Senior students majoring in criminal justice studies, history, political science, and sociology will present their capstone research from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, in the Witherspoon Rooms of the McKelvey Campus Center.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Westminster College senior Riley Lewis presented her research, “The Hidden Arms Race: Women in FBS Football Recruiting and Operations,” at Liberty University’s Sports Leadership Summit (SLS) in Lynchburg, Va., in October.

Monday, December 4, 2023

Alumna Elizabeth Buechele ’15 had a simple, happy thought 4,409 days ago. This year, as founder and executive director of The Smile Project, Liz celebrated 12 full years of “Happiness is” posts as part of the non-profit organization she created after posting that one simple, happy and life-changing thought in 2011. 

Friday, December 1, 2023

Cyndi Mancini '06 took part in a holiday tradition: marching in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Read more about Mancini's experience in this New Castle News story.

Friday, December 1, 2023

Westminster College student Bethany Edwards earned an individual Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research grant to produce a short film “Another World.”

Edwards,  a senior double majoring in creative media production and strategic communication and social media from Carnegie, Pa., used the grant to fund on-set production, character costumes and set design pieces for the film.

“‘Another World’ is about the importance of storytelling and how it affects people’s lives,” said Edwards. During high school Edwards decided she wanted to explore a career in film and had the idea for a script about a woman meeting her favorite fictional characters. Through the Drinko grant, her idea was brought to life and produced at Moraine State Park, Buhl Mansion in Sharon, Pa., and other Pittsburgh area locations.

“Film production is something I have been passionate about for a long time. There are so many different aspects to it, such as set design, lighting, etc., and these pieces all work cohesively to amplify a story,” said Edwards. “Filmmaking is such a good way to share ideas because pictures are universal.”

Guiding Edwards through the process of the grant was her research mentor, Kandice Hartner, a lecturer in Westminster’s School of Communication.

Westminster’s Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research financially supports undergraduate research through various grants aimed at either the undertaking of research and creative projects at Westminster College or the external presentation and dissemination of research and creative works at conferences.

For more information on the Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research, contact director Dr. Patrick Lackey at ugresearch@westminster.edu.

For more information about the School of Communication, visit www.westminster.edu/communication.