����ɬ hosted its Second Annual ����ɬ Research Day on Tuesday, April 29, featuring oral and poster presentations that highlighted the innovative research conducted by undergraduate students working alongside faculty mentors.

Students presented their research on subjects such as “Preserving a Faith in Humanity” and “A Low-Cost Solution for Accessible Audio Transcription and Language Translation.” In addition to the oral presentations, poster presentations were held in the Van Dyk Lounge, Campus Center, alongside the Math & Science Colloquium. Students explored topics like “Ink and Identity: How Major and Gender Influence Writing Utensil Preferences” and “Effects of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) on Differentiated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell (dVSMC) Wound Recovery.”

The presenting students represented diverse academic disciplines, with several having previously shared their research at off-campus conferences, reflecting the quality and breadth of undergraduate research at Houghton.

Three ����ɬ students joined 4,500 students and faculty members from across the country to present their research at the National Conference on ����ɬ Research (NCUR) in Pittsburgh, PA in April.

• Risa Palmer ’27 presented her poster titled “Effects of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) on Differentiated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell (dVSMC) Wound Recovery.”
• Keiryn Sandahl ’27 shared her paper, “Preserving a Faith in Humanity.”
• Riley Van Heukelum ’27 discussed his research on “Reception of Video Games over the Past Forty Years.”

“These three students were nominated from across campus and worked diligently to present their research to a wide audience clearly, concisely, and compelling,” said Laurie Dashnau, Ph.D., professor of English and director of the Writing Center, who accompanied the students to the conference. “Our students attended all kinds of oral and poster presentations, too, including research-informed ones in dance and music and about social advocacy. It was a wonderful time of sharing, learning, and developing professional skills.”

Each student conducted their research under the guidance of esteemed Houghton faculty members, including associate professor of Biology Ransom Poythress, Ph.D., professor of History Chris Esh, Ph.D., professor of Philosophy Benjamin Lipscomb, Ph.D., professor of English Susan Bruxvoort-Lipscomb, Ph.D. and assistant professor of Physics Katrina Koehler, Ph.D..

Peter Meilaender, Ph.D., dean of Religion, Humanities, and Global Studies and professor of Political Science, spoke with Martha Manikas-Foster about “soft power” while in London, where he is leading Houghton’s London Honors cohort this semester. During the interview, Meilaender explored how the United States has used its relief programs around the world to meet both political and humanitarian goals.

����ɬ welcomed students and faculty from five regional institutions for the 2024 Penn-York ����ɬ Research Conference. The event, co-chaired by Houghton faculty Mark Borchert, Ph.D. and Laurie Dashnau, Ph.D., demonstrated the University’s ongoing commitment to undergraduate research.

Regional Collaboration

The November gathering brought 35 students and 10 faculty members to Houghton’s campus, representing Alfred University, St. Bonaventure University, PennWest University, St. John Fisher University and University of Pitt-Bradford. Houghton’s Eli Knapp, Ph.D. delivered the keynote address, “Shacking Up with [Aldo] Leopold: Research as the Ultimate Inclusive Sport.”

The presentations showcased the depth and variety of undergraduate research opportunities available at Houghton, where students work closely with faculty mentors to pursue their academic interests.

“Participating in the post-pandemic revival of this conference—which Houghton has been affiliated with since 2005 and which last occurred virtually in 2020—was extremely gratifying,” remarked Dashnau. “We already are looking forward to taking many Houghton students to next year’s conference, which will be hosted at the University of Pennsylvania at Bradford.”

Cross-Generational Conversations Shape Student Essays

While some writing assignments require a prompt or an initial idea to get the ball rolling for college students, some require a little more than the courage to sit down and talk with a complete stranger. Susan Bruxvoort Lipscomb, Ph.D.’s WRIT 101 students recounted their conversations with members of ENCORE, ����ɬ’s senior adult program. In speaking with people from different generations, these students gained experience and perspective, which they summarized in their essay.

“I spoke with a woman named Lillian,” said Melanie Cogan ‘27. “I got to hear about how she became a teacher, I got to hear about how she met her husband and how much they travel together and just everything about her life, and it was really interesting and she was very, very sweet…It was just nice to hear about someone’s experience and see life from a different perspective.” Cogan later drew upon her experience talking to Lillian when she wrote her essay for the class.

Every week, Houghton student Elijah Sproull ’26 volunteers at a new club in Perry where he is positively impacting the faith journeys and lives of high schoolers in the community.

Sproull grew up attending Young Life in middle school and high school, during which developed a bond with one of the leaders there that has lasted ever since.“My Young Life leader in high school is still one of my best friends to this day,” said Sproull. “The mentorship he offered me in my life helped me grow in my faith and become interested in theology.

Despite growing up in Young Life, Sproull never thought that he would go into ministry. It was not until Young Life Leader Kyle Morley reached out to him in the summer of 2023 about leading in Perry when he seriously considered the position.

I am trying to make an impact in these kids’ lives and be the mentor to them that I had for myself … You have people pouring into you and you want to pour out into other people.

Elijah Sproull ’26

During the Fall 2023 semester, Sproull has found that a lot of what he is learning in a theology course on Missions in the Global Church is helpful in ministering at Young Life. “The [course] book says a lot on global missions,” said Sproull, “but also a lot of that is applicable to missions here [Houghton] and missions in Young Life.”

President Lewis and his family had the opportunity to attend the annual Young Life Dessert Banquet at Geneseo United Methodist Church. Monica Lewis commented that “it was an evening filled with delicious desserts, entertainment, volunteer leader recognition, student testimonies and the opportunity to learn more about the incredible impact of Young Life.”

Students, like Elijah, prepare for their callings in ministry through a broad range of Bible & Theology courses on ministry and service offered at Houghton, each carefully designed to challenge students with deep theological discussion and inspire them all the same.

Madeline Murphy ’27 grew up hearing stories about how her grandparents met at Houghton in an English class 53 years ago, and how her mom, Elizabeth (Clay ’02) Murphy, came to know the Lord during her time as a student. Now, as a third-generation Houghton student, Madeline is carrying on the family tradition.

“Our family calls this place our second home,” Madeline said. “I realized when I toured that this was where the Lord was calling me and was going to be disappointed if I didn’t get accepted.”

In her first two semesters here, Madeline has begun to pave her own path at Houghton. On top of double majoring in Writing and Politics and Philosophy, she is a member of Houghton’s Women’s Choir. Being a part of the choir has led to one of Madeline’s favorite college experiences so far.

“In the fall the Women’s Choir collaborated with the orchestra and wind ensemble on a piece called ‘Total Praise.’ It was this worship experience that I hadn’t experienced before in high school. For all of us to take the time to totally praise the Lord, it was this awesome moment of realizing this is why I do choir.”

In her next three years at Houghton, Madeline looks forward to continuing her faith journey by building intentional relationships with her professors and fellow Highlanders.

“The Christian community sets Houghton apart. There’s a real emphasis on making connections and being intentional. It’s easy to go through the motions; No one is forcing me to go to chapel or church or to do my devotionals. Houghton has really given me the opportunity to take that intentional time to sit with the Lord.”

Madeline is currently exploring her options for law school and hopes to become a district attorney after graduation.

After having participated in the in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2023, Cody Johnson ’24 has been accepted into the prestigious for 2024.

The internship provided Johnson with essential experience and opened doors for the fellowship. He spent the first three weeks of the internship in a condensed version of the orientation diplomats receive when becoming Foreign Service Officers.

“It’s a really competitive program,” said Johnson. “We had students come from all over the country, including Ivy Leagues.”

����ɬ was honored to welcome three new faculty members this year, with each professor offering a wide range of industry expertise and a strong commitment to ����ɬ’s Christian mission.

Houghton’s faculty members are committed to integrating Christian faith in all their subjects. For more information on faculty members, visit Houghton’s official website to find a full list of majors offered and the expert faculty that teach in them.

Last summer, Dr. Torrance Jones, assistant professor of business and criminal justice, published his debut book, titled, .

In his book, Jones suggests five leadership strategies for all aspiring leaders to consider for optimal public engagement in the modern world. Through these strategies, Jones highlights the significance of social identities in professional fields, and how the identities of Black Christians in particular have played a prominent role in their pursuit of executive positions.

����ɬ is so fortunate to have a faculty member with the sensitivity, skill, and insight to explore difficult questions involving leadership, race, and faith. I’m pleased to say that whether he is teaching our MBA students or undergraduates, Dr. Jones brings the same level of depth and understanding that he demonstrates in this recent book.

Mark Borchert, Professor of Business and Communication, Dean of Management and Creative Arts

Rachel Huchthausen ’23 presented at the National Conference of ����ɬ Research, held April 13-15 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Her interdisciplinary research project, “Musical Ekphrastic Poetry: Writing for Social and Intellectual Listening,” focused on how poetry can be used as a tool to improve an audience’s understanding of an instrumental music piece. Laurie Dashnau, professor of English and Writing and the director of the Writing Center, was her faculty advisor.

“It amazed me,” said Huchthausen, “to experience the sheer amount of work and research that is going on at various universities and colleges. I am thankful for the opportunity and privilege to present my research and creative work both at Houghton and in Eau Claire.”

Rachel represented Houghton extremely well as she shared how ekphrasis can aid individuals in understanding a visual or auditory text. She also explained the creative process by which she wrote an ekphrastic poem in order to reflect on the score of the movement “The Alcotts” from Piano Sonata No. 2, “Concord, Mass., 1840-1860,” by Charles Ives.

Laurie Dashnau, Professor of English, Director of the Writing Center

Human Rights in the Algorithmic Age

, professor of law and concurrent professor of political science at Notre Dame University, addressed Houghton students and faculty, as well as the Board of Trustees, at the inaugural Shirley A. Mullen Lectureship, last night. Carozza’s talk, titled “Human Rights and Human Dignity in the Algorithmic Age,” raised questions about how the age of artificial intelligence has changed what human rights look like on a national and international scale.

“The complex new realities of the algorithmic age,” said Carozza, “should force us to ask deeper questions about human rights and freedom of expression. What does it mean to be human, to live a human life in an age where language, society, the human person, and how we communicate are rapidly changing because of technology?”

Carozza offered a lens through which Houghton students can judge these questions for themselves. “Professor Carozza spoke compellingly to the timeless—and timely—relevance of a Houghton education,” said Dr. Shirley A. Mullen, president emerita of Houghton, who attended the lecture. “It is the graduates of Christian liberal arts institutions like Houghton who are in the very best position to engage deeply with these questions with creativity, imagination and persistence.”

The Shirley A. Mullen Lectureship Series

The Shirley A. Mullen Lectureship was established in 2021 to honor the legacies of President Emerita Shirley A. Mullen and her mentor, Kay Lindley. The lectureship will invite speakers from a range of Christian traditions to challenge students to emulate the qualities exemplified by Lindley and Mullen as they join the fellowship of Houghton scholar-servants.