The Retort

Honors Reflections and Research Presentations

November 18th, 2011 by Patricia Hampton Of The Retort Staff

The Honors Club sponsored Honors Reflections and Research Presentations in the Lewis and Clark Room on Thursday, November 3 at 630pm. The presentations were organized by the Honors Student Advisory Council members, the officers of the Honors Club: Matt Barton, Steven Barton, Patricia Hampton, Theodore Hampton, Emily Harris, Shelby Holsapple, and Mary Owen.

The Research Presentations were designed to give students the opportunity to present research they had conducted on campus and in the community to members of the MSUB administration, faculty, staff, and student body, as well as the public.

The presentations were also offered as an opportunity to prepare for the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) this coming March. In March of 2011, four Honors students were afforded the opportunity to attend NCUR. Senior Emily Harris was able to experience NCUR as a student presenter. Harris conducted a ten minute presentation of her research on the benefits of creative writing in the Montana Women’s Prison. Her study involved collecting data during her independent study with Kameron Nelson from the Psychology office using a pre-test/post-test model survey. She created the survey based on the inmate, correctional, educational and social objectives that she designed for her independent study course.

Students were able to submit applications to participate in the presentations through October 18. Each presenter had approximately fifteen minutes to present their research, and then five to respond to audience questions.

Nathan Baillet is a senior studying history and business, and presented his research entitled “Freedom Summer Sexism.” The research looked into the lives of hundreds of young men and women who were taking part in voter registration drives in some of the poorer regions of southern Mississippi.

Senior Steven Barton, a double major in chemistry and biology, presented “Laser Induced Fluorescence of Atomic Sodium.” In conducting the research, work was done with two-photon laser induced fluorescence of atomic sodium as a way to determine concentration of sodium in a solution. Work was extended with the goal of using LIF to determine the temperature of a flame.

Cory Lovec, a sophomore studying chemistry and pre-pharmacy, presented “Solid Matrix Luminescence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sugar Glass.” Solid Matrix Luminescence (SML) is a technique used to enhance the fluorescence and phosphorescence of a sample using spectrophotometry.

Patricia Hampton, a sophomore pursuing a degree studying English education, presented on “Democracy’s Role in Education and Student Life at Montana State University Billings.” The research investigated the civic involvement of college students, focusing on ascertaining the awareness students have of the democratic foundation of their education and student life experiences at MSUB.

Senior Emily Harris, majoring in Psychology, presented “A Journey Through Poetry.” This personal reflection began with Harris as an MSU Billings freshman, and expressed her poetic journey over the past four years.

Several students will be attending NCUR this March, which will be held at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.