Students, Faculty Share Research at Symposium

DUBOIS – The Fourth Annual Penn State DuBois Faculty and Student Research Symposium recently gave the public, as well as those in the campus community, a look at the research taking place at the campus, and at other Penn State locations.  Held each year at the end of the spring semester, this year’s event featured more than 50 presentations by students and faculty members from Penn State DuBois, and other campuses within the Penn State system.  

Researchers who presented their projects came from various disciplines, including business, mathematics, communications, sciences, and more.  Many groundbreaking projects spearheaded by members of the university community were highlighted.   

“Our goals are to promote interaction and collaboration between students and faculty, provide graduate and undergraduate students an opportunity to present their research and accomplishments in an academic, professional, and public setting, and to promote collaboration among all 20 Penn State campuses,” explained Spanish Professor and symposium organizer Debbie Gill.  

“The annual research symposium represents the best of the teaching and learning experiences that go on at our campus,” said Director of Academic affairs Debra Straussfogel.  “It is an opportunity for students to become the teachers and for the faculty to learn from them.”

Student Christopher Kolp, a Letters, Arts, and Sciences major concentrating on mass media, made a presentation on the impact that advertising in major media outlets has on society.  He said, “Many people get pulled into the thought that they need this or that to be socially accepted among their peers.”  Kolp’s presentation included tactics for resisting the influence that ads can have on the public. He said the tips can be helpful to everyone.   

“It was an awesome privilege to have the opportunity to participate in the symposium,” said student Alina Bumbarger, who made a presentation on bibliotherapy, a treatment for depression.  “I was able to share my research with colleagues, and in return gain new knowledge and insight from their ideas and research.”

“Not only did students and faculty have the chance to showcase their work, and learn from each other,” said Straussfogel.  “Community members and families also learned about the range and quality of research at Penn State DuBois.  We look forward to continued growth of this vital demonstration of research at our campus.”

Steve Harmic, Penn State DuBois