Methodist University hosted its 15th Annual Center for Research and Creativity Symposium (CRC) this week. The series showcased student research and creativity throughout campus.
Methodist University hosted its 15th Annual Center for Research and Creativity Symposium (CRC) this week. The series showcased student research and creativity throughout campus.
Symposium week opened Monday with a DIII (NCAA Division III) athletics week Celebration at Sink Field, followed by the Kimball Award Readings Tuesday in Huff Concert Hall, in which the winners of the Dr. Sue L. Kimball Creative Writing Competition read from their work. On Wednesday, research was in full swing with morning and afternoon presentation sessions, followed by afternoon poster presentations in the Union-Zukowski Lobby.
Wednesday’s events also included CIRCUIT, an Awards Ceremony, the Phi Kappa Phi Induction Ceremony, and the B.F. Stone Lyceum, in which Dr. Belinda McFerren, assistant professor of Psychology, presented her original research, “The Missing Perspective in Psychology: The Image-Fall-Formation Model”. While the week included a variety of events, the focus was on highlighting student work and research in different disciplines.
“The Symposium is important as the showcase event for student research and creativity each academic year,” said Cameron Dodworth, co-director of the Center for Research and Creativity. “It’s an opportunity for the campus, and even the wider community, to see what our students are capable of.”
The 15th annual symposium highlighted research areas, from engineering to psychology, sciences, and the humanities, with themes like new technology, artificial intelligence, physical and mental health, and cultural issues.
Kathy Fick, co-director of the Center for Research and Creativity, said the symposium gives a full picture of the kind of work students are doing across campus.
“This year’s symposium really reflects a continued intentional effort to highlight the breadth and depth of student and faculty work across campus,” she said.
Students highlighted what they took away from the research process itself.
“It’s to show that engineering can be applied to multiple aspects,” said Preston Jacocks ’26, who worked on a project exploring engineering design through a Minecraft-based escape room. “It doesn’t just have to stay in one lane.”
In the afternoon sessions, the research centered on Psychology, Cultural and Financial issues, Healthcare and Disabilities, and impact and prevention.
“It’s really important to understand that symptoms can lead to something bigger,” said Aryaben Patel, whose project focused on improving preventive health measures and screenings. “If we can catch things early, it can make a long-term difference.”
Dodworth said one of the biggest strengths of the symposium was the opportunity for students to engage with work outside of their own disciplines. Students had the opportunity to watch peers’ presentations and take away thoughts and ideas from work outside their own fields and ask questions.
Creative Works
The week continued Thursday with an art lecture and discussion that highlighted the creative side of research.
Guest artist Linda Stein showcased multiple pieces of her work and explored the connection to feminist perspectives, followed by a Q&A session in the William Bethune Center for Visual Arts.
That evening, local artist Adrienne Trego led a workshop in the Reeves Fine Arts Building MakerSpace. With her “Forest Floor” series currently on display, those in attendance had the opportunity to be guided through her creative process and create their own piece.
Research Continued
Symposium Week will wrap up Saturday with the Sixth Annual Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship Research Symposium, in which doctoral students will present capstone research projects. This event is also open to the greater Fayetteville community.