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Celebration of Learning 2024

May 8, 2024

Celebration of Learning 2024

The annual Celebration of Learning showcases work by students, faculty and staff at Augustana.

This year's celebration on May 8, 2024, includes poster presentations, interactive sessions, panel presentations and special events.

Featured presenters include:

  • Dr. Ann Perreau, Kierstyn Rogers '24, Brook Fieldman '24 and Christina Harvey '25, presenting on projects from the HEAR-T (Hearing+Tinnitus) lab. (Olin auditorium, 10-11 a.m.)
  • Dr. Kimberly Murphy, Adriana Reyes '25, Erik Bergren '25, Lorenzo Moreno '25,  Dani Roxas '25, Eulle Casaquite '25, Neida Marquez '25 and Zack Horve '24, presenting on a project partnering with Rock Island to replace lead drinking water pipes. (Olin auditorium, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
  • Chef Joseph Yoon, presenting on his journey as a chef specializing in insect agriculture. (Wallenberg Hall, Denkmann second floor, 2:30-3:30 p.m.)

Special events include:

  • "Neurdfest," presented by Genevieve Berryman, Katey Clark, Breonna Culver, Bitanya Darge, Katie Frese, Emily Kastanes, Anna Killilea, Megan Markiewicz, Monica Perez, Zion Thomas, Sierra White, Dr. Shara Stough, Dr. Ian Harrington and Dr. Rupa Gordon. (Carlsson Evald Hall, 9-11 a.m.) Note: This event is not open to the public
  • "A People of Vision," presented by Dr. Sandra Boham, President, Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, Mont. (Hanson Hall room 102, 10-11:15 a.m.)
  • "Keeping Cool with Campus Kitchen" (Viking Plaza; rain location Brew by the Slough, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
  • "Lifeboat Challenge," presented by ALIVE, Laurel Williams and Dr. Michelle Crouch (Wallenberg Hall, Denkmann, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.)
  • Celebration of Learning departmental and campus-wide awards reception (Gävle 3, Gerber Center, 1:30-2 p.m.)
  • "Reproductive Resources and Rights in the QC" (Old Main first floor, rotunda area, 2-4:30 p.m.)

Poster presentation sessions will be held in the Gävle Room, Gerber Center, in two sessions: 9-10 a.m. and 1-2:15 p.m.

Oral presentations are hosted in various campus locations, in four sessions: 10-11:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., 1-2:15 p.m. and 2:30-3:45 p.m.

Schedule overview

Oral presentations

Poster presentations and exhibits

Honors and achievements

Student-faculty presentation: "Tales from the HEAR-T lab"

Dr. Ann Perreau, Kierstyn Rogers '24, Brook Fieldman '24 and Christina Harvey '25
10-11 a.m.
Olin Center auditorium

The HEAR-T (Hearing+Tinnitus) lab, under the leadership of Dr. Ann Perreau, has developed a strong model for providing a unique research experience to multiple undergraduate students. In this presentation, we will discuss the lab’s current research projects that includes development of remote counseling programs for patients with tinnitus and/or hyperacusis. Student researchers will share their experiences working on the Hyperacusis Activities Treatment-Online Study, which is a 3 year, NIH-sponsored clinical trial. Students will describe the steps involved in counseling and sound therapy in the study and their interactions with our first two cohorts of participants. We will conclude our presentation with a panel discussion with the student researchers to learn more about perceived barriers, opportunities for networking and mentorship, and student growth through undergraduate research.

Adriana Reyes and Erik Bergren
Adriana Reyes '25 and Erik Bergren '25

Student research presentation: "Empowering communities: Students unite with Rock Island to develop a plan to replace lead drinking water pipes equitably"

Dr. Kimberly Murphy, Adriana Reyes '25, Erik Bergren '25, Lorenzo Moreno '25,  Dani Roxas '25, Eulle Casaquite '25, Neida Marquez '25 and Zack Horve '24
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Olin Center auditorium

Have you ever wanted to help your local community on a project to ensure that all residents have safe drinking water pipes? Augustana College and Rock Island worked together to respond to the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act. The result was a local and interdisciplinary approach (public health, economics, geography, public communications, business, data analytics, history, environmental studies, political science, sociology, biology and GIS) to comply with the law. A group of research students will recount their journey undertaking a project of this scale, sharing anecdotes and insights. They will delve into the learning objectives they made progress on and reflect on the lessons learned from their hands-on, real world experience.

Chef Joseph Yoon
Joseph Yoon

Guest speaker: "Kitchen metamorphosis"

Chef Joseph Yoon
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Wallenberg Hall (Denkmann Memorial Center, second floor)

Chef Joseph Yoon, a pioneering member of The Explorers Club and Chef Advocate for the UN's IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development), leads global change as the founder of Brooklyn Bugs, and the Culinary Director for the Insects to Feed the World Conference. With over 300 days of touring across five continents and regular appearances in global media, he champions the immense potential of insect agriculture, helping to reshape its significance for humanity.

Discover the inspiring narrative of Joseph's evolution as a founder and entrepreneur, delving into the pivotal lessons he gleaned as a young adult that continue to fortify his resilience in navigating present-day challenges. Gain insights into the weighty responsibility accompanying a global platform, as Joseph shares his profound understanding of why uncovering one's purpose is paramount, and how unwavering conviction propels individuals forward on their life's journey.

Special events

"Neurdfest"

Genevieve Berryman, Katey Clark, Breonna Culver, Bitanya Darge, Katie Frese, Emily Kastanes, Anna Killilea, Megan Markiewicz, Monica Perez, Zion Thomas, Sierra White, Dr. Shara Stough, Dr. Ian Harrington and Dr. Rupa Gordon

9-11 a.m.
Carlsson Evald Hall
Not open to the public

The Neuroscience Program’s brain awareness outreach event, ‘NeurdFest’, is back for its seventh year. Since 2015 we have brought second grade students from Longfellow Elementary to campus to learn about the brain. For several of those years, the Longfellow teachers have prepared their students for the event by reading the book, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It, written by JoAnn Deak and illustrated by Sarah Ackerley. While on campus on the morning of the Celebration of Learning, around 30 elementary students will learn about the general functions of the brain, how the brain engages with sensory information, how brain cells transmit information, how the brains of different animals compare, and, perhaps of greatest practical significance, why it is important to practice brain safety, all through a series of interactive exhibits. As facilitators of these exhibits, our student volunteers learn how to engage others with the academic discipline in which most of them have chosen to major and share their love of learning with others. The enthusiasm of students from both Longfellow and Augustana suggests that this annual outreach program will continue for many years to come.

"A People of Vision"

Dr. Sandra Boham, President, Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, Mont.

10-11:15 a.m.
Hanson Hall of Science, Room 102

A member of the Salish Tribe, Dr. Boham will talk about the experiences of the Salish, Kootenai and North Pend d'Orielle Tribes and about reasons for optimism about the future.  The tribes have been the victims of huge injustices perpetrated by the U.S. government, among the them the loss of most of their ancestral homelands as a result of the 1855 Hell Gate Treaty, the cultural impact of boarding schools established to destroy their culture, and an allotment system imposed upon them that deprived them of land on their reservation that, according to the Hell Gate Treaty, was "set aside . . . for [their] exclusive use." Yet they are a people of hope.  Dr. Boham will talk about their vision for the future.  This event is sponsored by the Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics.

"Keeping Cool with Campus Kitchen"

11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Viking Plaza (rain location: Brew by the Slew, Gerber Center)

"Lifeboat Challenge"

ALIVE (Augustana Leaders in Vocational Exploration), Laurel Williams and Dr. Michelle Crouch

11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Wallenberg Hall, Denkmann

The Lifeboat Challenge is an annual Augustana tradition, a chance to hear some of your favorite professors make their cases for the importance of their discipline to the survival of the world. Each professor will be vying for the last seat in the proverbial lifeboat. What do their disciplines bring to the flourishing of the world? The audience will get to grill each professor with your toughest questions and ultimately vote on the one you find most compelling. Enjoy the fun and learn something about the deeply collaborative vision that emerges when various disciplines of knowledge interact with each other.

Departmental and campus-wide awards reception

1:30-2 p.m.
Gävle 3, Gerber Center

See the list of award recipients and honorees.

Reproductive Resources and Rights in the QC

2-4:30 p.m.
Old Main first floor, rotunda area