Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / April 6, 2022, edition 1 / Page 3
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News A Look Back at CSA Day for Its 20th Anniversary By Olivia Slack, Co-Editor in Chief Celebrating Student Achievement (CSA) Day is cel ebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The first CSA Day was held on April 24, 2003, and it has since been a day where students, faculty and staff come together to discuss student achievements in research, performance and art. According to the April 30, 2003 edition of The Meredith Herald, college administration de cided to begin CSA Day in order to celebrate college-wide and depart mental awards on the same day. The first-ever CSA Day included a “fun run and ramble” where members of the Meredith commu nity were encouraged to “walk or run on a course set up around the campus.” Dr. Rhonda Zingraff, direc tor of the Undergraduate Re search Program at the time, told The Herald in 2003 that in previous years when student re search was highlighted during a conference that took place on a normal school day, students “struggle[d] to attend [research] sessions... while classes were going on.” Image courtesy of the Meredith College Archives In 2004, The Herald noted that a “Fun and Fitness Kick-off’ started CSA Day, and there was even a breakfast. The May 3, 2006 edition of The Herald included a story about why CSA Day should be included in students’ definition of important Meredith traditions. Also in the May How to Get Involved in CSA Day By Freya Dahlgren, Opinion Editor, and Rachel Van Horne, Associate Editor Celebrating Student Achievement (CSA) Day occurs yearly in April. On this day stu dents from all departments of Meredith come together to present their undergraduate research. The Meredith Herald interviewed Di rector of Undergraduate Research Dr. Carolina Perez-Heydrich and two of last year’s participants. For students who want to be involved this year but are not presenting, they can plan to at tend oral presentations, the poster presentation session and perfor mances. A schedule of this year’s CSA Day events will be available on the Undergraduate Research Program CSA website. Students interested in participating liext year can start planning their research topics and looking for an advisor now. Dr. Perez-Heydrich said, “Talk to your professors about research Faculty Comment on CSA Day By Molly Perry, Features Editor opportunities you might be able to participate in during the academic year...and then enroll in a 499 class in your discipline to work with a faculty member.” Dr. Perez-Heydrich said that good questions to consider include “what projects are [fac ulty] currently working on? What are their research interests? Are there ways you can get involved in any existing projects?” Past participants Hannah Porter, ‘22, and Amyia Gorham, ‘22, completed research together in child development and pre sented their findings at CSA Day in 2021. When asked what was most important about being suc cessful in undergraduate research, Gorham said, “It is important to communicate with your advisor if you have an idea for research as early as possible. It can never hurt to start early!” Porter said that it is impor tant “to research a topic that you are passionate about [and] finding a supportive and available research advisor is huge. I could not have done my thesis without the advisor that I had.” Gorham and Porter both said that they recom mend everyone try undergraduate research and that there is no harm in trying it. “If you are unsure about CSA Day and undergrad uate research, try to volunteer to work CSA Day this year so that you can see 2006 edition of The Herald is a story about the behind-the- scenes of presenting on CSA Day. In this story, writer Sarah Jack- son discussed bringing a presen tation CD to her session, which current students will note is a far technological cry from this year’s pre-recorded presentations that will not only be shown in live sessions but also posted on You Tube. In 2020 and 2021, CSA Day went virtual due to the CO- VID-19 pandemic. This year, on the 20th anniversary of CSA Day, there will be over 60 individual, group and class presentations as well as honor society inductions, college and departmental awards and other events. Gorham said. “Also, don't be afraid to ask alumni about their undergraduate research experi ences.” more of what it's about,” Photo by Elinor Shelp-Peck In addition to Meredith students anticipating Celebrating Student Achievement (CSA) Day, Meredith faculty look forward to CSA Day as a way to support stu dent success and interact with fac ulty across various departments. Dr. Jason Andrus, De partment Head for Biology, said, “CSA Day represents the culmina tion of our students’ educational experience, putting their training, knowledge, creativity and experi ence into practice. Taking a day to recognize the efforts of not only our students, but our colleagues as well, is energizing and inspiring.” Dr. Jeffrey Martinson, Associate Professor of Political Science, added that CSA Day is important because “people need to restlessly interrogate what they ‘think they know’ in pursuit of deeper, more accurate truths... this research brings us to a better grasp on reality.” “I love CSA Day because we get to see so many varieties of knowledge, skills and talents on display,” Dr. Shannon Grimes, Department Head for Religious and Ethical Studies, stated. Dr. Andrus said he also enjoys seeing the work that has been done across campus disci plines. “[It] makes me reflective about my own work and how I can connect with my colleagues across campus,” he explained. When asked what he is most excited for. Dr. Karthik Aghoram, Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the Pre- Health Post Baccalaureate Pro gram, shared that he is most look ing forward to the poster session. “It is a great way to learn about many projects in a short period of time,” he said. Cathy Rodgers, Professor of Theatre, said, “It is so rewarding to see the growth in my students as a faculty research mentor.” Steven Roten, Professor of Theatre, added that he has “only pride for the hard work and vision of [his] students.” For students interested in conducting undergraduate research or participating in CSA Day, Dr. Pamela Norcross, Assistant Profes sor of Child Development, empha sized, “A good research project takes time, so make sure you give yourself enough time to complete a thorough project.” Dr. Jeff Langenderfer, Associate Professor of Market ing and Law, reiterated the importance of starting early. Dr. Langenderfer stated that, ideally, research for CSA Day begins dur ing the summer prior. To emphasize the impor tance of undergraduate research. Dr. Anne York, Professor of Eco nomics, added that “undergradu ate research projects are a way to ‘get your hands dirty’ to see how new knowledge is created.” For more information about undergraduate research, students can contact Dr. Carolina Perez-Heydrich, Director of Un dergraduate Research, by email.
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