Research and Creative Arts Day 2023 features projects by over 250 students

Over 250 undergraduate and graduate students presented projects showcasing their talents and passions at the University’s annual Research and Creative Arts Day April 26. 

The day began with a keynote address by Stephen Meawad, Ph.D., author of “Beyond Virtue Ethics: A Contemporary Ethic of Ancient Spiritual Struggle,”  who presented on the process of researching and writing a book, and how research in the humanities compares with research in the sciences.  “Passion is the key and the spark of curiosity that keeps you going,” said Meawad, assistant professor of theology. “Connect your research to your world view.” Meawad stressed the importance of writers knowing their thesis. “If you don’t know what the point of your research is, no one else will.”

In the Student Center alumni, faculty, staff and friends were judges for the competitions. They stopped at the many stations and spoke to the students who were thrilled to be able to share their passion for their projects and learning.  

Freshman Ava Oberlin, a student in Psychology Professor Lily Tsoi’s research lab, presented her research on “Conversations Comparisons Between Strangers and Friends.” Oberlin said that doing this research made her want to pursue “something larger” and explore more opportunities.  “Seeing how much everyone supports each other makes me want to pursue more as a student.” 

“The Application of Strategic Leadership Skills to Create a Non-Profit Organization” was a project that students in  Professor Neil Malvone’s “Strategic Leadership in the Sports Industry” were proud to showcase. They explained how they created the non-profit “Power Soccer” for athletes with disabilities after getting to know their classmate Patrick Falco, a  sports enthusiast who uses a power wheelchair. Falco took the students including seniors Andre Vieira and Sal Drukenford to a wheelchair competition for research for the class.  “We all did a part of it.  It was a great way to show our leadership,” said Drukenford.  “It is a great opportunity to raise awareness of kids in need,” added Vieira. 

“It was a great turnout with really impressive projects. The art therapy and computer science projects really added another dimension,” said Matt Netter, manager of digital communications.  

Several seniors in Professor Ranjit Nair and Professor Joe Testa’s course “Leadership Essentials:The Start-up of You” were excited to share their projects showing what they learned, especially since they are approaching graduation and the start of their careers.  “It was a great experience learning about myself to become a stronger leader,” said graduating senior Xavier Ramos. Ryan Letizia, also a senior, said it was a very beneficial class since they are heading into a competitive job market. They appreciated how Nair and Testa brought their personal experiences in the corporate world into the classroom, and how they learned about networking and developing their own personal brands.

Jenna Toro displayed her senior artwork piece “Oil Spill on the Moon” in her thesis project  “From the Ground” analyzing humans’ relationship with nature and how the structures built to serve humanity can also alienate.  Since driving on highways is a necessary part of her life in New Jersey, she said, she sees how industrialization affects the human element “mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.”  Her artwork uses abstraction to imagine the future, with materials like concrete and cement to create ambiguous images. It was “so rewarding,” she said, to share her creative work with attendees who appreciated her research and art “and take an interest” in the topic. 

Courtney L. Kane, an applied behavior analysis doctoral student, presented her work on “A Systematic Review of SAFMEDS Literature across Clinical and Educational Applications.” Her faculty advisor was Ruth A. DeBar, Ph.D. Kane, who earned her master’s in ABA at Caldwell, said she loves presenting because she loves her field so much. “Our faculty helps, so it should not just be for me.  It should help everyone.” 

Primary organizers of the conference were Natural Sciences professors Dr. Darryl Aucoin and Dr. Xiaolei Gao with the leadership of  Ellina Chernobilsky, Ph.D., interim vice president of academic affairs.