From science to religion and lots of subjects in between, ‘Academic Excellence Day’ showcases oral presentations, posters, and annual college awards
From discussing the ethics of using genetic genealogy to solve crimes to using professional writing to promote the history, culture, and preservation of an indigenous and environmental preserve, Saint Leo’s annual Celebration of Academic Excellence presentations covered a spectrum of interests and courses.
On April 3, the annual “Academic Excellence Day” sponsored by the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union recognized and saluted student achievement, highlighting academic and artistic accomplishments. The class schedule at University Campus was modified for the day so that the afternoon could focus on undergraduates’ works, which they presented orally or via posters. In addition, students’ artwork was on display and the student musicians and vocalists performed. Faculty panels judged the presentations, which took place in Kirk Hall, the Fine Arts Building, and Selby Auditorium in Lewis Hall.
A highlight of the day was the awards ceremony, which was held at the end of the day in the Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms at the Student Community Center, which was followed by a reception. In addition to awards for the day’s events, the top students in the four colleges and the club or organization with the highest GPA were honored as well as the Clara McDonald Olson Scholastic Award winner and the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2025.
Presentations
Students presented in a range of disciplines includes the sciences, English, law, sociology and political science research, criminal justice, education, biology, interdisciplinary studies, religion, psychology, and history. Poster sessions, which were judged by faculty members Peter Marian, Dr. Debra Peterson, and Dr. Monika Kiss, also covered a variety of subjects.
Saint Leo talented vocalists and musicians performed in Selby Auditorium. The University’s artists’ works were showcased in the Fine Arts Building after being judged during the Academic Excellence – Art Gala on April 1. View the winning artwork here.
It was standing room only for biology presentations with moderator Dr. Sergiy Borysov as students presented impressive research. These included “Venom versus Cancer: One Deadly Bite” and “Exploring EGCG – A Green Tea Compound – as a Treatment for Liver Cancer.”
Students shared psychology research and their thoughts on “Harry Potter and the Magic of Transmedia Storytelling,” and provided analysis of Genesis 3:22 as well as the application of Catholic Social Thought, among the presentations.
For sophomore criminal justice majors Erin Smith, Catherine McCaughey, Kendyl Ryan, Kaylee White, and MacKenzie Blinne, the Celebration of Academic Excellence was a time to showcase their research on using forensic genealogy to solve crimes. They focused on the case of Dennis Rader, the “BTK” serial killer. Ryan said their group looked at the ethics of using DNA when a person does not give consent. In the Rader case, investigators needed DNA to confirm he was the killer. They found out his daughter, Kerri Rawson, had public health records as she received annual Pap smears, and they got a warrant to obtain those medical records. Her DNA showed Rader was the killer.
“We’re biased because we’re criminal justice majors [so they agree with the use of the DNA],” said Smith, “but we do think about the ethics. They used a loophole to get the DNA.”
However, Rawson while surprised about the search warrant that granted access to her health information from her annual Pap smears at her college health center, “she’s now an advocate,” Smith said, and agrees with the use of the genetic material as evidence. Rawson was glad to provide closure and justice for the victims, Smith added.
And the Award Goes to . . .
The Celebration of Academic Excellence on April 3 included an awards ceremony for students from each of the colleges, as well as from the presentations and posters.
Here are the award winners from the four colleges:
COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCES, and ALLIED SERVICES (CASAS)
Excellence in Academic Leadership Award: Liliana Kozlowski, presented by Dr. Thomas Humphries
Excellence in Scholarship Award: Juan Contreras Jimenez, presented by Dr. Laura Altfeld
Excellence in Experiential Learning: Hannah Lynn, presented by Frank Orlando
Dean’s Award for Excellence: Paul Vitaliti, presented by Dr. Heather Parker
DONALD R. TAPIA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Excellence in Academic Leadership Award: Tyler Drone, presented by Dr. Keith Jones
Excellence in Scholarship Award: Adam Jacques, presented by Dr. Kelly Atkins
Excellence in Experiential Learning: Connor Farnham, presented by Dr. Kelly Atkins
Dean’s Award for Excellence: Kristina Arwady presented by Dr. Tonya Mazur
COLLEGE OF COMPUTING, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ROBOTICS, AND DATA SCIENCE (CARDS)
Excellence in Academic Leadership Award: Evan Frantz, presented by Dr. Edward Santiago
Excellence in Experiential Learning: Michael Orellana, presented by Dr. Vyas Krishnan
Dean’s Award for Excellence: Kipper Connell, presented by Dr. Vyas Krishnan
COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Excellence in Scholarship Award: Kari McGee, presented by Dr. Kathleen Van Eerden
Dean’s Award for Excellence: Emily Gray, presented by Dr. Kathleen Van Eerden
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Certificate of Distinction for an oral presentation:
Luis Gomez, “From Poison to Remedy: Harnessing Snake Venom for Wound Healing and Cancer Treatment,” Mentor: Sergiy Borysov
Kari McGee, “Financial Stress and Students on Rural College Campuses,” Mentor: Dr. Ebony Perez
Amanda Wetherington, “Patristic Theology of the Eucharist through Jn 6:51, The Bread that I will Give is My Flesh…, the History of a Near Miss,” Mentor: Dr. Thomas Humphries
Certificate of Excellence for Oral Presentation: Juan Contreras Jimenez, “Harnessing Bacteriophages: A Novel Approach to Combat Deadly Vibrio Infections in Florida’s Marine Estuaries” Mentor: Iain Duffy
Certificate of Distinction for a Poster Presentation:
Luzia Obermeier, “The Effect of Shyness on Homesickness in College Students,” Mentor: Dr. Kevin Kieffer
Tamar Olguin, “The Effect of Intercultural Relationships on Relationship Satisfaction and Cultural Awareness Among College Students,” Mentor: Dr. Kevin Kieffer
Katelyn Salomon, “The Relationship Between Spirituality, Personal Growth Initiative, and Depression,” Mentor: Dr. Tammy Zacchilli
Excellence for an Oral Presentation:
Miranda Galaviz, Michael Tracey, Dalia Morales, Isabell Colon, Estrella Hernandez-Hernandez, Malak Aly, “Phage Frenzy: Saint Leo’s Search for the Perfect Virus” Mentor: Dr. Iain Duffy
Other awards included:
Club/Organization with Highest GPA: Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology, Presented by Dr. Jen Shaw
CLARA MCDONALD OLSON SCHOLASTIC EXCELLENCE AWARD: Jacqueline Marie Pollok, presented by Dr. Susan Kinsella, vice president of Academic Affairs
[Photo of Kristina and Jacqueline] Valedictorian for the Class of 2025: Kristina Arwady
Salutatorian for the Class of 2025: Jacqueline Pollok