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Four students representing ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University’s Reaud Honors College shared their achievements with top scholars at the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) conference, an annual meeting that unites honors colleges and programs to share ideas. This year’s conference was October 12-16 in Seattle.

“The annual conference of the NCHC is a wonderful opportunity for students to present their work and for Honors administrators and faculty to advance Honors education by sharing ideas and experiences,” said Kevin Dodson, dean of the Reaud Honors College.

Mechanical engineering major Kirby Clayton, Orangefield, and Studio Art major Mary Catherine Wilbur, Beaumont, presented “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Graphic Novels” in an Ideas Exchange session.

The students provided attendees with materials and personal testimonies for an LU Honors Topics course on Graphic Novels, co-taught by Xenia Fedorchenko, associate professor of art and Steven Zani, professor of English, to help other schools develop similar concepts for their honors programs.

“It’s a non-traditional course that you don’t envision yourself taking when you get to college. It was designed to stretch everyone in new ways. Everyone we talked to really loved it and they all said, ‘we don’t have anything like this! This would be an amazing thing to do!’” said Clayton.

Beaumont native Bette Paredez, a nursing major, presented her undergraduate research on fever and its medical implications called “An Integrative Review of Pyrexia: The Pathologic Process and Treatment.” The project is part of ongoing research that she began months ago as an assignment for an honors pre-nursing course.

“At first, I never thought I would do research because I wasn’t comfortable at conferences, but my mentor, Dr. Regina Hale, made me feel like I could do it. Now, I choose to sign up and it’s my second time with the NCHC. Its great to travel so far from home and yet find so many like-minded people,” Paredez said.

Rachit Yadav, a chemical engineering major from Vadodara, India, presented his research titled “Fundamentals and Applications of Magnetic Levitation.” He worked under the mentorship of Cristian Bahrim, professor of physics, to study the adaptation of magnetic levitation to everyday use in technology.

Yadav says he has never had an opportunity to present at such a prestigious event, and he feels grateful for the help he received from faculty that helped him attend.

NCHC supports institutions and individuals pursuing honors education through curriculum development, program assessment, teaching innovation, national and international study opportunities, internships, service and leadership development, and mentored research.

The Reaud Honors College offers advanced classes in most of the university’s core curriculum, upper-level interdisciplinary classes and seminars, enhanced classes in many majors, and opportunities for independent studies. LU’s Honors students participate in community service, internships, research, and study abroad. Students who complete one of two plans may become Honors College Graduates.