Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State University held its 30th annual Student Symposium on March 6, showcasing the academic research and creative work of more than 100 students across multiple disciplines. The event provided an opportunity for students to present original research, share new knowledge, and compete for top honors.
The university community was later invited to attend the Awards Ceremony, held March 16 at 4:30 p.m. in the Howell Auditorium at Merrill Hall. The ceremony featured presentations from award-winning students, along with a reception to celebrate their achievements.
Students from each college were recognized for excellence in undergraduate and graduate presentations, as well as poster submissions.
In the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences, Anna Meadows received the award for Best Undergraduate Presentation in Sciences & Math for her research on parasitic flatworms and snail host size. Alexius Randall earned Best Undergraduate Presentation in Arts & Humanities for a project examining cultural memory of enslavement in classical literature. Peyton Wilson was recognized for Best Graduate Presentation in Sciences & Math for research on freshwater turtle species in Alabama.
Within the College of Education and Professional Studies, Jakob Williams received Best Undergraduate Presentation for a study on multimodal instruction and student understanding of the circulatory system. Kalaya Williams earned Best Poster for research focused on student engagement through hands-on learning strategies.
In the College of Health Professions and Wellness, Chloey Dale Williams was awarded Best Undergraduate Presentation for work on women’s professional sports leagues. Faith Bonness received Best Graduate Presentation for a study on Rhodiola rosea supplementation and its effects on cognition and exercise performance.
Madeline Alexander of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences was recognized for Best Undergraduate Presentation for research exploring the relationship between appreciation and physical health.
Several students received top honors across all categories.
Hannah Chandler earned Best Poster for a project on injury prevention for musicians, co-authored with Elisabeth Rea. Samantha Trivette received Best Undergraduate Paper/Presentation for research on the ballistics of reloaded ammunition. David Johnson was awarded Best Graduate Paper/Presentation for a study examining prehabilitation and outcomes following ACL reconstruction.
Additional honors included Itusha Kandangwa receiving Best of Jax Mix for research on nutrition and academic performance, and Asel Richards earning the Houston Cole Library Award for Research Excellence for a literature review on symbiotic relationships involving spiders.
Devin Jones was awarded Best of Showcase for research investigating whether former athletes with multiple concussions face an increased risk of stroke compared to those without concussion history.
The annual symposium continues to serve as a platform for student scholarship at Jacksonville State University, highlighting a wide range of academic inquiry and innovation across disciplines.
