History students take top two awards at Phi Alpha Theta state meeting

By Elizabeth Clarke

Two Louisiana Christian University English majors, Samantha Ray, of Centerpoint, and Delaina Doyle Walley, of Hineston, were accepted to present their research at the Eighth Annual Regional Student Scholars Forum at LSU –Shreveport on Feb. 17.

The forum presents research from both undergraduate and graduate students from Louisiana, as well as four other states in the region.

Ray presented a paper titled “Moby Dick: Foreshadowing and Symbolism Fuse to Convey Melville’s Warning Against Human Intrusion in Nature,” and Walley presented her research titled “Edmund Spenser and Classical Art.”

This is the second year LCU has had English majors represent the university at this forum.

Toriance Fontenot, of Mamou, an English minor, had a poem accepted for publication in the spring 2023 edition of Outrageous Fortune. Toriance’s piece, “A Huguenot,” was written as an assignment in her Introduction to Creative Writing course. It is an ekphrastic poem based on the painting “A Huguenot, on St. Bartholomew’s Day” by John Everett Millais.

Outrageous Fortune is the first online literary magazine created for undergraduates by undergraduates at Mary Baldwin University. It features undergraduate writing and art.

“These students have done a wonderful job sharing their research and representing LCU,” said Dr. Jeannie Gauthier, chair of the Division of Language and Literature. “They have demonstrated that our students can compete with any state university. We hope to bring even more students to the conference next year.

Louisiana Christian University history majors took first and secondplace honors for their research papers presented March 17 at the regional meeting of Phi Alpha Theta in Alexandria.

Shelby Cumpton, of Quitman, won the Kimberly S. Hanger Award, given to the top undergraduate paper: “Why Should Not Woman Seek to Be a Reformer?: The Relationship Between the Abolitionist Movement and Women’s Rights.”

Her paper examined the connections between the women who advocated for the end of slavery and the advancement of women’s rights. Cumpton took home a cash prize and a book award from the Phi Alpha Theta National Office.

Laura Aime, a Smith Scholar from Baton Rouge, took 2nd place for her paper: “Defying Decoding on the Way to Victory: Navajo Code Talkers in the Pacific Theater of WWII.” Her work explained the contributions of a native American tribe who assisted U.S. troops in conveying battlefield messages in a language not understood by the Japanese.

Phi Alpha Theta is the national history honor society, and the regional meeting included all Louisiana chapters from private and public universities across the state. The meeting was held in conjunction with the Louisiana Historical Association. Aime was presented a book award from the Phi Alpha Theta National Office.

The Hanger Award honors Dr. Kimberly Hanger, a history professor at the University of Tulsa from 1993 to 1999, when she died of leukemia at age 37. Her research focused on slavery in New Orleans, and she published two books before her death: “Bounded Lives, Bounded Places: Free Black Society in Colonial New Orleans” and “A Medley of Cultures: Louisiana History at the Cabildo.”

The Hanger Award was started in 2000 in her memory. This is the first time a student at LCU has won the award.

By Elizabeth Clarke

Ten students presented research Saturday during the 3rd Annual C.S. Lewis Honors Forum at Louisiana Christian University.

The interdisciplinary research project is the final requirement in fulfillment of the C.S. Lewis Honors Program.

“The University’s C.S. Lewis Honors Scholars’ annual presentations serve as a solid reminder that great work can happen at a smaller university,” said LCU President Dr. Rick Brewer. “I am grateful for the professors who shepherd our students toward incredible, creative research underscoring the application of Colossians 3:17.”

The following students took part in this year’s forum:

• Shelby Cumpton, of Quitman, will graduate in May with a degree in history and minor in political science. She recorded her presentation “A Language of Resistance: The White Rose and the Use of Framing,” as she was representing the LCU Debate Team at the National Championships in Boise, Idaho.

• Ashley Young, of Shreveport, will graduate in May with a degree in missions and ministry. The title of her research was “An Exegetical Study of Psalm 137.”

• Delaina Nacole Walley, will graduate in May with a degree in English and minor in art. Her research examined the classical art in Edmund Spenser’s “The Faerie Queen.”

• Kyle Dupre, of Houma, will graduate with a degree in worship leadership in May. He is part of the Chapel band that leads worship each Tuesday. His research examined “How Much Scripture Do We Actually Sing?”

• Lily Breaux, of Mansura, is a biology and chemistry double major, headed to physician assistant school in Shreveport. Her research partner, Laura Weatherford, of Bay Minette, Alabama, is a biology major, with plans to attend medical school. Both will graduate in May. Their joint research examined how magnetotactic bacteria might be used to revolutionize medicine.

• Harrison Bieber, of Dry Prong, is a graduating senior in pre-med. He will attend LSU Schoool of Medicine in the fall. His research examined biochemistry from a Christian perspective.

• Laurel Robinson, of Opelousas, is completing her nursing degree in May with plans to work as an obstetric nurse. She presented research on the importance of teaching in the nursing field.

• Joshua Poole, of Lithia, Florida, expects to finish his bachelor’s degree in pre-engineering with chemistry in May 2024 and then pursue a doctorate in polymer sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi. He presented research he began last summer at the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program for the polymer sciences at Southern Miss. His research was “Development of Orthogonal Postpolymerization Modification Strategies: AU(I) Catalysis Enabled Click Chemistry.”

• Ethan West, of Bayou Chicot, is a senior chemistry and biology double major who will graduate in May 2023. He ultimately plans to be a clinical microbiologist. His research title was “Analysis of Micro-doped P3HT Nonowires with FECI3 using AFM and KPFM.”

Following the presentations, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Cheryl Clark presented each student with a C.S. Lewis Honors Medallion to be worn at graduation.

“The Honors Forum clearly demonstrates that LCU is providing an unshakeable Christian foundation while expecting academic excellence across all disciplines,” she said.

“The students’ interdisciplinary research projects show they understand, recognize and embrace the inseparable connection between their calling and career.

“Knowing that these graduates are equipped and ready to pursue graduate degrees and professional careers renews my hope for the future.”

The C.S. Lewis Honors Program at Louisiana Christian University is an interdisciplinary program that is designed for students who perform at the highest academic standards. Its small, seminar-style courses focus on integrating faith and learning through writing, discussion, service learning, and travel. Students enter during their freshman year and complete the honors curriculum as a cohort.

“One of the best things about attending the Honors Forum every year is seeing how the students that I taught early on in the program have matured into deep thinkers and skilled researchers,” said Dr. Christine Reese, chair of the Division of History and Political Science and member of the Honors Council. “Their creativity and passion for their research topics shines through to make the Honors Forum a dynamic celebration of learning. I am grateful for the opportunity that God has given me to work with the superb faculty at LCU to produce a new