TUESDAY, APRIL 15 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
THE RALL LEGACY
The Rall name has held a special place in North Central’s history since 1917, when Dr. Edward Everett Rall (pictured left) was inaugurated as the College’s fifth president.
During his three decades of service to the College, Rall steered North Central through two world wars and the Great Depression, and doubled enrollment from 447 to 929. He also directed a major campus expansion that included Pfeiffer Hall, Kaufman Hall and Merner Field House. In 1930, the house at South Brainard Street was purchased by Charles Rall, Edward’s brother, for the Rall family. Five College presidents resided in Rall House with their families before it became home to some of today’s academic programs.
The Rall legacy continued with Rall’s sons, both of whom graduated from the College and went on to earn an M.D. and a Ph.D. Today’s symposium is named for Joseph Rall ’40 (see below). David Rall ’46 is considered the founder of modern environmental medicine. He identified ways to prevent leukemia from spreading to the brain and headed both the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program.
President Rall died in 1975, but the College still honors his vision of the ideal education—one that “develops the power to think, produces the open mind, destroys prejudice, and inculcates a genuine love of truth and hatred of sham or intellectual hypocrisy.”
DR. JOSEPH E. RALL ’40 1920 - 2008
The annual Rall Symposium for Student Research was named in 1998 to honor Joseph Edward “Ed” Rall ’40, M.D., Ph.D. (pictured left), an internationally renowned research scientist whose half-century career at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) included serving as director of all intramural research. Before joining the NIH, Rall was a fellow at the Mayo Foundation in Rochester, Minn., and taught at Cornell University Medical College and the Sloan-Kettering Institute.
A thyroid specialist, Dr. Rall helped devise therapies to prevent thyroid disease. He authored more than 160 scientific papers and books and earned numerous awards from the medical and scientific communities. He received honorary doctorates from North Central College, the Free University of Brussels and the University of Naples. The University of Minnesota Mayo Foundation honored him with an Outstanding Achievement Award, and North Central awarded him the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1966.
Rall took a leadership role in the College’s 1995 Kresge Science Challenge that brought $2 million in new support to his alma mater’s science program. He also inspired the creation of the Rall Symposium. For many years, he invited esteemed scientists to speak at the symposium and collaborated with students on their research projects.
2025 RALL SYMPOSIUM FOR STUDENT RESEARCH
An institution of the liberal arts and sciences, North Central College provides an impressive array of opportunities for students to design and conduct independent scholarly research projects in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, business, preprofessional disciplines, and fine arts. Undergraduate and graduate students can examine their own disciplines and make interdisciplinary connections as they plan, collect and evaluate data, document results and present their findings.
Students can collaborate with faculty in their ongoing research, or they can design and implement their own independent projects under faculty supervision. A number of these projects are carried out as part of the College Scholars Honors Program, and many have been funded by the College’s Richter Grant program. North Central students regularly present the results of their scholarly and artistic work at local, regional and national professional meetings.
North Central College celebrates the 27th year of the Rall Symposium for Student Research in 2025. Students who were part of Beta Beta Beta, the American Chemical Society and Pre-Health Organization initiated the first Rall Symposium in 1998. They were supported by President Emeritus and Life Trustee Harold R. Wilde, Ph.D., and Professor of Mathematics and Dean of Faculty Emeritus R. Devadoss Pandian, Ph.D. The symposium is named for Joseph Edward “Ed” Rall ’40, M.D., Ph.D. Rall was involved in the Symposium from its inception until his death in 2008 and played a critical role in attracting Nobel Laureates and other distinguished scholars to speak to attendees.
8:30 a.m.
27th Annual Rall Symposium for Student Research
8:30 - 9:20 a.m. Poster Presentations Session 1
Judy G. Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center, 131 S. Loomis St.
9:35 - 10:55 a.m.
Oral Presentations
Various classrooms, Wentz Science Center
11:10 a.m. - noon Poster Presentations Session 2
Judy G. Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
Noon - 1:15 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
ALPHA ETA
Allied Health Professions
Multipurpose Room, New Hall
LAMBDA ALPHA
Anthropology
Heininger Auditorium, Larrance Academic Center
BETA BETA BETA
Biology
Room 254, Wentz Science Center
LAMBDA PI ETA Communication and Media
Smith Hall, Old Main
OMICRON DELTA EPSILON
Economics
Room 200, School of Business & Entrepreneurship
KAPPA DELTA PI
Education
Judy G. Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
SIGMA TAU DELTA
English Koten Chapel, Kiekhofer Hall
SIGMA NU TAU
Entrepreneurship
Room 200, School of Business & Entrepreneurship
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
ASSOCIATION
Finance
Room 200, School of Business & Entrepreneurship
PI DELTA PHI
French
Room 244, Language Resource Center, Oesterle Library & Learning Commons
CHI ALPHA SIGMA
Athletics
Gregory Arena, Merner Field House
TAU SIGMA Transfer Students Smith Hall, Old Main
BLUE KEY Leadership
Judy G. Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
MORE INFORMATION ONLINE
Luncheon
Kaufman Dining Hall, 221 S. Brainard St.
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.. . . . . . 49th Annual Honors Convocation Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave.
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. .
4:30 - 7:30 p.m..
PHI ALPHA THETA
History
Student Lounge, second floor, Harold & Eva White Activities Center
JAPANESE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Japanese Room 17, Larrance Academic Center
SIGMA BETA DELTA
Management
Room 200, School of Business & Entrepreneurship
PI MU EPSILON
Mathematics
Room 101, Wentz Science Center
NU RHO PSI
Neuroscience
Judy G. Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
ALPHA ALPHA ALPHA First Generation College Students Pfeiffer Hall
You can find details about each presentation listed in this program online. Visit our webpage or scan the QR code to the right.
. Reception Wentz Concert Hall Lobby
. Honor Society Events Locations listed below
PSI CHI
Psychology
Judy G. Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
ALPHA KAPPA DELTA
Sociology
Heininger Auditorium, Larrance Academic Center
SIGMA DELTA PI Spanish Campus Store
PHI SIGMA IOTA
World Languages & Cultures
Room 244, Language Resource Center, Oesterle Library & Learning Commons
DELTA PHI ALPHA German Visit northcentralcollege.edu/honors-day
POSTER PRESENTATIONS: SESSION
I 8:30 - 9:20 a.m.
Judy G. Stevenson Hall, second floor, Wentz Science Center
Gold, Glory, and Deception: Hitler’s Olympic Propaganda
Luciano Abish ’28, Business Management Advisor: Gregory H. Wolf
Defining the “New Woman”: The Perception of Gender Roles and Sexuality in France during the Interwar Period
Ayshe Ali ’26, Social Science/History and Secondary Education Advisor: Shereen Ilahi
Design and Evaluation of a Computer-Controlled Spectrometer
Nazifa Anis ’26, Applied Mathematics and Physics
Advisor: Orion Pearce
Sleep and Memory for Emotional Experiences
*Stella Bank ’26, Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology
*Amelia Deliberto ’27, Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience
*Raven Range ’27, Psychology
Advisor: Alexis Chambers
Setting Europe Ablaze: The Unlikely Success of the Special Operations Executive Section F 1939-1945
Emily Bartel ’26, Social Science/History and Secondary Education Advisor: Shereen Ilahi
The Second Founding and Arendt’s Revolutionary Spirit: The Experience and Legacy of the Exclusion of Slavery
Abigail Black ’25, Political Science and Sociology
Advisor: Sean Butorac
Comparing the Effects of Drawing, Coloring, and Writing on Mood and Self-Efficacy
Casen Camarillo ’25, Psychology Advisor: Marissa Bamberger
The Blueprint of Genocide; Aktion T4 and the Rise of Eugenics in Nazi Germany
Anna Cameron ’25, Social Science/History and Secondary Education Advisor: Shereen Ilahi
Protein Interaction of Myosin VIIA and Singed in Drosophila Melanogaster
Charlotte Kumler ’25, Biology Advisor: Jennifer Sallee
Using Geographic Information Systems to Address Village Infrastructure Needs in Masumbi, Kenya
Amelia Cook ’26, Environmental Studies Advisor: Reed Perkins
Does Game Attendance and Percentage of Top Ranked Players Increase an NFL Team’s Winning Record?
*Lucy Culig ’25, Accounting
Jessica Pesavento ’25, Finance
Garrett Grastorf ’25, Business Economics Advisor: Najrin Khanom
Redefining Gender and Sexuality: The Evolution of Women’s Roles in New German Cinema
Addison Daugherty ’28, Graphic Design Advisor: Gregory H. Wolf
The Experiences of Children During the Holocaust: Survival, Suffering, and Resilience in Concentration Camps
Victoria Del Carmen ’26, Social Science/History and Secondary Education Advisor: Shereen Ilahi
The Iconography of Indoctrination:
The Hitler Youth and Organization of German Girls
Danny DiMartino ’28, Actuarial Science
Advisor: Gregory H. Wolf
Competition Between Metal Ions for Adsorption Sites on Exhausted Coffee Grounds
*Allie Dockins ’25, Biochemistry
*Brian Sorg ’27, Environmental Science
Advisor: Rebecca Sanders
The Modern Colonization of Therapy
Miranda Dominguez ’27, Economics and French Horn Performance Advisor: John Stanley
Engaging All Students: Supporting Anxious and Neurodiverse Learners in the Writing and Speaking Centers
Rebecca Elsen ’25, English Literature
Advisor: Jennifer Smith
Invertebrate Host Species Shed Saprolegniaceae
Zoospores into Aquatic Environments at Varying Rates
Hannah Galletti ’27, Biology
Advisor: Gregory Ruthig
Doping NASICON with Yttrium for Samples with High Density and Ion Mobility, while Maintaining Low Levels of Impurities
Drazen Gierman ’26, Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: Shan-Ju Chiang
The Pathogenic and Saprobic Effects of Water Mold on Host Species
*Dallas Gillson ’26, Biology: Biomedical Science
*Evelyn Kandler ’26, Biochemistry
Advisor: Gregory Ruthig
Pamphlets of Faith and Defiance: The White Rose
Nonviolent Resistance Against the Nazi Regime, 1942-1943
Mia Giometti ’26, Social Science/History and Secondary Education
Advisor: Shereen Ilahi
Gender Differences in Support for Bathroom Bills
*Arron Hanson ’25, Psychology
*Kyla Smetana ’25, Psychology
*Emily Mostaccio ’26, Psychology
Advisor: Claudia Peter-Hagene
Undernourished Male Cricket Mating Songs Fall Flat
*Cleo Hawthorne ’25, Biology and Biological Sciences
Charlotte Kumler ’25, Biology
Advisor: Chandreyee Mitra
Project Purple: A New Take on an Ancient Pigment
*Holly Helmers ’26, Biology: Biomedical Science
*Mark Horton ’26, Chemistry
Advisor: Nicholas Boaz
Medusa’s Many Faces: The Male Gaze, Perfect Victims, and a Symbol for Survivors
Lucie Jumonville ’27, Studio Art
Advisor: Mike de Brauw
*Denotes presenters
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Historical Perspectives
Moderator: Shereen Ilahi Location: WSC 354
Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced ... But Why?: German
Painter Hans Holbein The Younger’s Portrait of Anne of Cleves
Marina Jòkanović ’26, Art History and Acting Advisor: Gregory H. Wolf
Out on Campus: Early LGBTQ+ Activism at North Central College
Nicole Mendez-Villarrubia ’25, Journalism and Media Communication Advisor: Steve Macek
Causes of the Salem Witch Trials
Milam Phills ’26, Secondary Education and Social Science/History Advisor: Bruce Janacek
The Use of Magic in Tudor England
Courtney Czuprynski ’25, History Advisor: Bruce Janacek
Emotions, Ethics and Philosophy
Moderator: Quanisha Charles Location: WSC 104
“I Feel, Therefore I Can Be Free”: Audre Lorde and the Liberatory Power of Centering Emotions
Ashlyn Allemand ’25, Sociology Advisor: Jennifer Smith
The Function of Filial Piety in the Analects of Confucius
John Spatara ’26, Shimer: Humanities and Environmental Studies Advisor: Daniela Barberis
Behind the Stripes: A Virtue Theory Analysis of NCC’s Men’s Cross Country Team
Kyle Mudler ’25, Biochemistry Advisor: Perry Hamalis
Executive/Leading Women and Their Relationship to Apologies in the Workplace
Olivia Rosenberg ’25, Communication and Sociology Advisor: Mara Berkland
Health and Fitness
Moderator: Rachel Luehrs Location: WSC 010
Comparing Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels Between First Generation and Continuing Generation College Students
Francesca Whalen ’25, Exercise Science Advisor: Rachel Luehrs
Accessibility to Athletic Trainers and AEDs in Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death: A Critically Appraised Topic
Corine Hamilton ’26, Masters of Athletic Training Advisor: Taylor Arman
Exploring the Differences in Executive Functioning Between Athletes and Non-Athletes
Amanda Melton ’25, Psychology Advisor: Daniel VanHorn
Aspects of the Justice System
Moderator: Raleigh Blasdell Location: WSC 036
Before the Badge: Hiring Practices of Midwestern Police Departments
Samantha Kaczmarek ’25, Psychology, Crimonology, and Sociology Advisor: Raleigh Blasdell
CIT Differences Between Municipal Police Departments
Ella Waughop ’25, Psychology and Criminology Advisor: Raleigh Blasdell
Wentz Science Center
Factors Impacting Jury Decision-Making in Criminal Sentencing
Tiera Jimerson ’25, Sociology and Criminology
Advisor: Raleigh Blasdell
Public Opinion on Correctional Education in U.S. Prisons
Madeleine Hughes ’25, Criminology and Sociology
Advisor: Raleigh Blasdell
Correlations and Causation
Moderator: Miranda Mendiola Valdez Location: WSC 040
The Impact of the 2007 Global Financial Crisis on Trade Balances Across Economies
*Jai Acharya ’25, Accounting and Economics
*Sergio Bracco ’25, Finance and Business Economics
Advisor: Miranda Mendiola
Magnetic Fields’ Influence on Stellar Activity: An Inquiry into the Relationship Between Stellar Class and Stellar Activity
*Samuel Salvador ’26, Philosophy
Brian Vargas (Lewis University)
Advisor: Paul Bloom
Altered Perception: The Effect of Resume Quality on Disabled Applicants in Online Interviews
Allison Bobek ’26, Molecular Neuroscience
Advisor: Karl Kelley
Our Home as a Lab
Moderator: Joanna Weremijewicz Location: WSC 013
Where Are the Women? Analyzing the Inclusion of Women-Identifying Authors in North Central College Syllabi
Elisabeth Gardner ’25, Political Science
Advisor: Suzanne Chod
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Abundance Differs Based on Inoculation in a Post-Agricultural Restoration
Ian Rosales ’25, Biology: Biological Science
Advisor: Joanna Weremijewicz
Using Geographic Information Systems to Document Healthcare Equity in Chicago
Elizabeth Watts ’27, Environmental Business
Advisor: Reed Perkins
Beyond Barriers: Understanding and Improving Diabetes Care for Undocumented Migrants in Illinois
Jasmine Tixta ’25, Health Science
Advisor: Nicole Rivera
Cinema and Music
Moderator: Jonathon Kirk Location: WSC 356
The Excruciating Importance of Pretension: Thomas Vinterberg and the Dubious Path Toward Moderation
Dominick Gramarosso ’25, English Writing
Advisor: Saul Kutnicki
The Cinematic Code of Silence: Omertà, Mafia Myths, and Italian Identity
Paytyn Bavaro ’25, Anthropology
Advisor: Matthew Krystal
A Theoretical Analysis of Neil Young as a Singer-Songwriter
Rowan Brandou ’26, Music Performance and Theatre Advisor: Jonathon Kirk
Music: The Soundtrack (And Product) of Our Lives
Zachary Scalafini ’26, Music Composition
Advisor: Yu Zheng
*Denotes presenters
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Politics, Doctrine and Influence
Moderator: William Muck
Location: WSC 034
The “Yon-Fluenza” Outbreak in Japan: A Crucial Display of South Korean Soft Power Through One K-Drama
Maxine Ocampo ’25, Global Studies Advisor: William Muck
A (MAD)der World: Practiced Nuclear Doctrine or Lip Service?
Ethan Garard ’25, Political Science Advisor: Suzanne Chod
Navigating the Nexus of Knowledge, Polarization, and Legitimacy: A Survey Experiment on the American Public’s Perception of the U.S. Supreme Court
Victoria Leonard ’25, Global Studies and Chinese Advisor: Suzanne Chod
Unveiling Sino-Kenyan Relations and the Paradox of Foreign Influence
Elie Imani ’25, Political Science Advisor: William Muck
Creative Endeavors
Moderator: Rebecca Strang Location: WSC 015
The Cards You Are Dealt
Austin Scott ’25, Graphic Design Advisor: David Cordero
Giants of Another Size
Richard Lahm ’25, English Writing and English Literature Advisor: Jennifer Jackson
Subgenres and Cohesive Fragmentation:
The Lyric Essay as a Tool to Reclaim Agency After Trauma Rebecca Elsen ’25, English Literature Advisor: Rebecca Stafford
Our Lives Through Objects: Reclaiming Agency While Honoring Women Who Came Before Hannah Pruett ’25, English Writing and Organizational Communication Advisor: Jennifer Jackson
Marketing, Brand and Promotion
Moderator: Jeffrey Anstine Location: WSC 101
Student Athlete Advocacy Social Media Accounts: What are They Promoting?
Hailey Poe ’25, Sport Management and Ethical Leadersihp Advisor: Krystina Sarff
From Grrreat to Green: A Comparison of U.S. and Latin American Approaches to the Regulation of Convenience Food Ads Targeting Children
Jose Gomez Briceno ’28, Management and Entrepreneurship Advisor: Casey Gough
The 2LOVE Brand
Kathryn Wagner ’25, Philosophy and Graphic Design Advisor: Hale Ekinci
American Marketing Association Competition
*Claira Panos ’25, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
*Dylan Becker ’25, Business Management
*Vianni Duarte ’26, Organizational Communication
*Aiden Healy ’26, Marketing and Business Management
*Jadyn Smith ’26, Marketing Advisor: Donnavieve Smith
Transformative Storytelling: Student Roundtable
Moderator: Sophie Hand Location: WSC 256
Transformative Storytelling: Student Roundtable
*Elmeka Elme ’26, Theatre: Acting
*Mitchell Corbett ’28, Crimonology
*Andres Perez Delgadillo ’27, Secondary Education and Social Science/History
*Jessica Ramirez ’25, Environmental Studies
*Abigaile Phanor ’25, Marketing
*Daphne Younge ’27, Computer Science
*Juan Espinoza ’27, Special Education Advisor: Sophie Hand
Our Immigration Stories: Student Roundtable
Moderator: Jelena Sánchez Location: WSC 254
Our Immigration Stories: Student Roundtable
*Amanda Azpeitia ’28, Biology
*Juan Espinoza ’27, Special Education
*Caroline Huerta ’28, Diagnostic Medical Sonography
*Olivia Mattison ’28, Exercise Science
*Ashley Quinones ’28, Diagnostic Medical Sonography
*Brian Salmeron ’25, Health Science
*Jade Serrato ’27, Psychology
*Heiry Sierra ’28, Criminology
Advisor: Jelena Sánchez
Center for Social Impact: Fellows Roundtable
Moderators: Suzanne Chod and Eric Shuman Location: WSC 042
Creating a Safe-Space: Theatre as an Act of Inclusion for Elementary Students
Jake Keller ’26, Musical Theatre and Theatre: Directing and Dramaturgy
Advisors: Suzanne Chod and Eric Shuman
Growing Our Community: How a Community Garden Can Serve as a Third Place for North Central College and Naperville
Margaret Sizemore ’25, Mathematics
Advisors: Suzanne Chod and Eric Shuman
Pandemic Fallout: Student and Community Belonging at NCC in the Shadow of Covid-19
Abigail Black ’25, Political Science and Sociology
Advisors: Suzanne Chod and Eric Shuman
Reading Country: Supporting Access to Public Libraries in Rural Communities
Aaliyah McCormick ’26, Political Science
Advisors: Suzanne Chod and Eric Shuman
Bridging the Gap: The Path Toward Naperville’s Climate Action Plan
Roselynne Orrala ’28, Environmental Business and Economics
Advisors: Suzanne Chod and Eric Shuman
*Denotes presenters
POSTER PRESENTATIONS:
SESSION II
Judy G. Stevenson Hall, second floor, Wentz Science Center
Two-Faced: Mental Health Reflected, A Visual Representation of Anxiety Through Technology
Andjela Kesar ’25, Interactive Media Studies: Technology Advisor: David Cordero
Cardinal Lens: Raising Environmental Awareness Through Photography
Kristina Kesar ’25, Environmental Studies Advisor: Christine Rabenold
Why Do People Consume Cannabis?
Daphne Kolody ’25, Psychology Advisor: Mary Jean Lynch
Further Understanding the Role of Bzz1 during Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis
Abby MacKenzie ’25, Biology Advisor: Steve Johnston
Effects of Temperature in Gryllodes sigillatus Mating Behavior
*Maisha Marzan ’25, Biology and Applied Mathematics
Anthony Flores ’25, Biology
Rebecca Grecco ’25, Biology Advisor: Chandreyee Mitra
Using FRET Microscopy to Compare the Binding Affinity of Various PLM Mutants to the NKA Pump
*Alexis Mazzenga ’25, Exercise Science
Seth Robia (Loyola University Chicago)
Advisor: Marylin Skarbek
Neurocognitive Deficits and the Risk for ACL Injury
Luis Moreno ’26, Masters of Athletic Training Advisor: Kendall Selsky
Developing Intermuscular Coherence and Clustering Index as Features for Machine Learning Models of ALS
Avinash Moses ’24, Molecular Neuroscience Advisor: Naoum Issa (University of Chicago)
Effects of Diet Quality and Quantity on Mating Behaviors in Male G. sigillatus Crickets
*Zach Mottlow ’25, Biology
Bailey Lomahan ’25, Environmental Science Advisor: Chandreyee Mitra
Observing Dose-Dependent Attenuation of Oxytocin in the Cocaine-Seeking Behavior of Differentially Reared Rats
*Trinity Murray ’26, Molecular Neuroscience
*Stephanie Sherrod ’24, Psychology and Molecular Neuroscience
*Elizabeth Norman ’25, Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience
Holly Helmers ’26, Biology: Biomedical Science
Miranda “Lily” Baker ’26, Molecular Neuroscience Advisor: Margaret Gill
In Physically Active Individuals that Have Sustained a Concussion, Does Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy Improve Recovery Time?
Kellyann O’Neil ’26, Masters of Athletic Training
Advisor: Taeopae Wetterman
Effects of Static Stretching and Dynamic Stretching Relating to Muscle Stiffness
Harsh Patel ’26, Masters of Athletic Training Advisor: Scott Ellis
Fruits of My Labor: Writing, Illustrating, and Designing a Picture Book About Creativity and Burnout
Andrea Peguero Gonzalez ’25, Studio Art Advisor: Hale Ekinci
From Marriage to Motherhood: Nazi Policies on Women, 1938-1945
Victoria Robinson ’26, Social Science/History and Secondary Education
Advisor: Shereen Ilahi
The Role of Religious Leaders in Navigating Trauma
Mia Rogers ’25, Psychology and Shimer: Humanities
Advisor: Nicole Rivera
Interpretations of “Sin” and How It Is Used to Control Female Bodies
Megan Sinnaeve ’26, Sociology Advisor: Raleigh Blasdell
Biochemical Identification of MyosinVIIA Binding Partners
Kate Taylor ’26, Biology Advisor: Jennifer Sallee
Ketamine’s Effects on the Dentate Gyrus and Ventral Subiculum C-Fos Activity during Oxycodone Incubation of Drug Seeking
*Lukasz Teper ’26, Behavioral Neuroscience
Stephanie SHerrod ’24, Molecular Neuroscience and Psychology
Marjia Angelovska ’24, Molecular Neuroscience
Ari Watts ’26, Molecular Neuroscience
Natalie Falco ’26, Molecular Neuroscience
Advisor: Micheal T. Stefanik
Children’s Museums and Communities
*Teresa Chew ’26, Psychology and Philosophy
*Adeline Salgado ’25, Psychology
Deisy Perez ’26, Behavioral Neuroscience
Courtney Ryan ’26, Psychology
Advisor: Nicole Rivera
Mythbusting: Journaling to Debunk Psychology
Misconceptions and Explore Social Circles’ Beliefs
*Colette Tozier ’26, Psychology
Mia Rogers ’25, Psychology and Shimer: Humanities
Natalie Peters ’24, Psychology
Advisor: Marissa Bamberger
Refuse to Lose: The Legacy of John Thorne
Eduardo Valdes ’27, Social Science/History and Secondary Education
Advisor: Shereen Ilahi
Three COX10 Point Mutations, Potentially Associated with Leigh Syndrome in Humans, are Partially Functional at Low Expression Levels in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
*Amber Vande Hei ’-25, Biomedical Science
*Kyla Border ’25, Biomedical Science
Advisor: Steve Johnston
Decolonizing the Arab Revolt: Arab Agency in a British-Dominated Narrative
Cristian Walsh ’26, History
Advisor: Shereen Ilahi
Dark Matter Detection Simulation for MAGIS-100
Nicholas White ’26, Mathematics and Physics
Advisor: Mandy Kiburg
Case Study: The Coffee Lab Sustainability Report
Abigail Black ’25, Political Science and Sociology
Advisor: Esen Andiç-Mortan
*Denotes presenters
49TH ANNUAL HONORS CONVOCATION
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Wentz Concert Hall
*Processional “Proud Heritage” by William Latham
North Central College Concert Winds Dr. Lawrence Van Oyen, Conductor Audience, please stand.
Invocation
Welcome
Awards Introduction
Dr. Perry Hamalis
Cecelia Schneller Mueller Professor of Religion; Professor of Religious Studies
Dr. Abiódún Gòkè-Pariolá President
Dr. Kristin Geraty
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
ART and DESIGN
Diane Duvigneaud Senior Art Award: Kathryn Wagner
Outstanding Major in Art and Design: Andrea Peguero Gonzalez
BIOCHEMISTRY
Outstanding Major in Biochemistry: Kyle Mudler
BIOLOGY ..........................................................................................
Outstanding Major in Biology: Kyla Border
CHEMISTRY and PHYSICS
Outstanding Major in Chemistry: Taylor Nelson
Outstanding Major in Physics: Eric Novello
COMMUNICATION and MEDIA STUDIES
John Madormo Outstanding Student Broadcaster: Ashly Rico
Outstanding Major in Communication Studies: Olivia Rosenberg
Outstanding Student in Forensics: Rebecca Elsen
Outstanding Major in Interactive Media Studies: Emma Akers
Outstanding Major in Journalism and Media Communication: Karla Damian
Outstanding Major in Organizational Communication: Breanne Sheffer
COMPUTER SCIENCE and ENGINEERING
Outstanding Major in Computer Science and Engineering: Rares-Mihail Neagu
ENGLISH STUDIES
Outstanding Major in English: Dominick Gramarosso
Outstanding Major in Literature: Mason Collins
Outstanding Major in Writing: Ryan Schmidt
Ms. Hale Ekinci
Dr. Stephen Johnston
Dr. Chandreyee Mitra
Dr. Nick Boaz
Dr. Paul Bloom
Dr. Amy Grim Buxbaum
Dr. Donghwoon Kwon
Dr. Jennifer Smith
HISTORY
Outstanding Major in Social Science/History: Sarah Tanny
James Henry Breasted Class of 1890 Outstanding Major in History: Gage Nielsen
MATHEMATICS .......................................................................................
Outstanding Major in Actuarial Science: Isaac Ortiz
Outstanding Major in Applied Mathematics: Maisha Marzan
Outstanding Major in Mathematics: Anthony Kindness
MECHANICAL and ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Outstanding Major in Mechanical Engineering: Madeline Barickman ..............................
Outstanding Major in Electrical Engineering: Colby Kingsbury
MUSIC
Clarence Juhnke Outstanding Music Major Award: Caroline Derango
Outstanding Major in Music Education: David Lange
PHILOSOPHY and RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Outstanding Major in Philosophy: Justin Schroeder
Outstanding Major in Religious Studies: Sydney Park
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Outstanding Major in Political Science: Elie Imani
PSYCHOLOGY and NEUROSCIENCE
Outstanding Major in Psychology: Samantha Kaczmarek
Outstanding Major in Neuroscience: Elizabeth Norman
SHIMER GREAT BOOKS SCHOOL .......................................................................
Outstanding Student in the Shimer Great Books School: John Spatara
SOCIOLOGY, CRIMINOLOGY and ANTHROPOLOGY
Outstanding Major in Sociology: Ashlyn Allemand
Dr. Luke Franks
Dr. Katherine Heller
Dr. Shan-Ju Chiang
Dr. Daniel Rico-Aniles
Dr. Susan Chou
Dr. Greg Lynch
Dr. Shelley Birdsong
Dr. William Muck
Dr. Karl Kelley
Dr. Maggie Gill
Dr. Stuart Patterson
Outstanding Major in Criminology: Dakota Drew .................................................
Outstanding Major in Anthropology: Paytyn Bavaro
THEATRE
Outstanding Major in Musical Theatre: Gabriela Sorrentino
Outstanding Majors in Theatre: Kelly Ahr and Nathan Dittemore
Outstanding Major in Theatrical Design and Technology: Alyson Meyers
Dr. Raleigh Blasdell
Dr. Raleigh Blasdell
Dr. Matthew Krystal
Dr. Laura Lodewyck
WORLD LANGUAGES and CULTURES ........................................................................
Dr. Norval Bard
Outstanding Student in Chinese: Elie Imani
Outstanding Student in French: Arianna Teichman
Outstanding Student in German: Alexander Wickersheim
Outstanding Student in Japanese: Abigail Scuito
Outstanding Student in Spanish: James Crue
ACCOUNTING
Outstanding Major in Accounting: Lucy Culig
ECONOMICS and FINANCE
Outstanding Major in Economics: Davis Nelson
Outstanding Major in Finance: Nicholas Larak
MANAGEMENT and MARKETING
Outstanding Major in Management: Breanne Sheffer
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Ms. Sarah Kostelny
Dr. Gwendolyn Tedeschi
Dr. Jeffrey Anstine
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION & HEALTH SCIENCES
EDUCATION ...........................................................................................
Dr. Kathleen King
Outstanding Major in Elementary Education: Tea Milazzo
Outstanding Major in Secondary Education: Megan Lemley
HEALTH SCIENCES
Outstanding Major in Health Science: Jasmine Tixta ................................................
Outstanding Major in Sport Management: Hailey Poe
KINESIOLOGY
Outstanding Major in Exercise Science: Francesca Whalen
EAST ASIAN STUDIES
Outstanding Major in East Asian Studies: James Crue
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Outstanding Major in Environmental Studies: Bailey Lomahan
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Dr. Francine G. Navakas Student in Interdisciplinary Studies: Rebecca Elsen
Dr. Molly Swick
Dr. Krystina Sarff
Dr. Rachel Luehrs
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Dr. Brian Hoffert
Dr. Chandreyee Mitra
LEADERSHIP, ETHICS and VALUES ......................................................................
Outstanding Major in Ethical Leadership: Hailey Poe
Dr. Jennifer Smith
Dr. Julie Nagashima
Class of 2025 College Scholar Honors Theses [see page 11]
Scholar All-Americans [see page 12]
Distinguished Military Graduate
RECOGNITIONS
Dr. Sue Lafferty
Dr. Daniel VanHorn
Ms. Julie Carballo Award Recipient: Dakota Drew
COLLEGE AWARDS
Outstanding Service to Student Life Award ..............................................................
Ms. Julie Carballo Award Recipient: Monaya Ali
Margaret Youel Award
Ms. Julie Carballo Award Recipients: LaTavia Davison and Nicole Mendez-Villarrubia
Harold R. Wilde Distinguished Service Award
Megan Sweeney ’01 Award
Mr. Jaydon Brown
Dr. Karl Kelley Award Recipient: Samantha Kaczmarek
Outstanding Senior Awards
Closing Remarks
Alma Mater
Dr. Abiódún Gòkè-Pariolá
Dr. Abiódún Gòkè-Pariolá
North Central is the school we love, To her we sing this praise, And from the East and from the West You hear the voices raise... Hail! Hail! North Central Hail!
Our Alma Mater true, We’ll always, always loyal be To you, to you, to you.
*Recessional “Proud Heritage” by William Latham
Please stand and remain in seats until faculty process out.
An Honors Reception will be held in the Wentz Concert Hall Lobby immediately following the Convocation.
Student Director
COLLEGE SCHOLAR HONORS THESES
Thesis Title
Ashlyn Allemand Jennifer Smith “I Feel, Therefore I Can Be Free”: Audre Lorde and the Liberatory Power of Centering Emotions
Elisabeth Gardner Suzanne Chod
Andjela Kesar David Cordero
Kristina Kesar Christine Rabenold
Victoria Leonard
Nicole Mendez-Villarrubia .
Suzanne Chod
Steve Macek
Victoria Monte Gregory H. Wolf
Kyle Mudler Perry Hamalis
Maxine Ocampo William Muck
Andrea Peguero Gonzalez Hale Ekinci
Hailey Poe Krystina Sarff
Mia Rogers Nicole Rivera
Jasmine Tixta
Olivia Wegner
Nicole Rivera
Jonathon Kirk
Francesca Whalen Rachel Luehrs
Emily Yost Patrcia Schacht
Student
Nicole Baker
Elie Imani
Andjela Kesar
Kristina Kesar
Andrea Peguero Gonzalez
Ian Rosales
Where Are the Women? Analyzing Syllabi at North Central College to Elevate the Voices of Women-Identifying Authors
Two-Faced: Mental Health Reflected
Cardinal Lens: Raising Environmental Awareness Through Photography
Navigating the Nexus of Knowledge, Polarization, and Legitimacy: A Survey Experiment on the American Public’s Perception of the U.S. Supreme Court
Out on Campus: Early LGBTQ+ Activism at North Central College
The Mythology of Baseball: How the New York Yankees Used the American Dream to Achieve Cultural Ubiquity
Behind the Stripes: A Virtue Theory Analysis of North Central College’s Men’s Cross Country Team
The “Yon-Fluenza” Outbreak in Japan: A Crucial Display of South Korean Soft Power Through One K-Drama
Fruits of My Labor: Writing, Illustrating, and Designing a Picture Book About Creativity and Burnout
Student Athlete Advocacy Social Media Accounts: What Are They Promoting?
The Role of Religious Leaders in Navigating Trauma
Educating on Disparities: Healthcare System Deficiencies and Diabetes Outcomes in Undocumented Latinx Immigrants
A Reflection of the Gift of Music
Comparing Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels of First Generation and Continuing Generation College Students
Exploring North Central College Students’ Perception of Climate Change
RICHTER INDEPENDENT STUDY FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS
Thesis
Title
Identifying the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Community in a Post-Agricultural Prairie Restoration
Bringing Horizons: Evaluating the Impact of Sino-Kenyan Infrastructure Partnerships on Local Development and Global Relations
Two-Faced: Mental Health Reflected
Cardinal Lens: Raising Environmental Awareness Through Photography
Fruits of My Labor: Writing, Illustrating, and Designing a Picture Book About Creativity and Burnout
Quantifying Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in a Post-Agricultural Prairie Restoration
Baseball 2024
ABCA Academic Team Award
Football 2024
CSC Academic All-Americans: BJ Adamchik, Bobby Behmer, Jeske Maples
NFF Hampshire Honor Society: James Hart, Will Kettelkamp, Myron Lewis, Joey Lombardi, Nic Rummell, Jarod Thornton, Antwain Walker
NCAA Elite 90 Award: Bobby Behmer
Men’s Cross Country 2024
USTFCCCA All-Academic: Luke Hoffmann, Matt Jett, Clark Kelly, Jacob Kluckhohn, BJ Sorg, Emerald Svienty
USTFCCCA All-Academic Team Award
Men’s Golf 2024
GCAA All-America Scholar Team: Zachary Lunde
Men’s Soccer 2023
USC Scholar Team Academic Award
Men’s Swimming & Diving 2023 - 2024
CSCAA Scholar All-America Team
Men’s Tennis 2024
ITA Division III Scholar Athletes: Matt Crossland, Ned Curley, Brian Gambuzza, Rafael Lessa, David Vilarroig Martinez
Men’s Track & Field 2024
USTFCCCA All-Academic: Anthony Divenere, Luke Hoffmann, Jayden Leise, Braden Nicholson, Connor Riss, Emerland Svienty
USTFCCCA All-Academic Team Award
Men’s Volleyball 2024
CSC Academic All-American: Tyler Donovan
Men’s Wrestling 2025
NWCA Scholar All-American: Casey Aikman, Robby Bates, Raymond Cavey, Josh Robinson, Kenny Siwicki, Ethan Spacht, Tyler Starr
SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICANS
Women’s Cross Country 2024
USTFCCCA All-Academic: Lily Anderson, Julia Benes
USTFCCCA All-Academic Team Award
Women’s Golf 2024
WGCA All-American Scholars: Reagan Braker, Mallorie Clifton, Tatiana Cooper, Aleksa Gizewicz
Women’s Lacrosse 2024
IWLCA Academic Honor Roll: Lucy Culig, Ellie Gosselin, Tori Leonard, Abby MacKenzie, Reese McMullen, Annelise Oster, Madison Smith, Taylor Smith
Women’s Soccer 2024
CSC Academic All-American of the Year: Elle Sutter
CSC Academic All-American: Kassandra Salviola, Elle Sutter
USC Scholar All-American: Kassandra Salviola
USC Team Academic Award
Women’s Swimming & Diving 2024
CSCAA Scholar All-America Team Award
Women’s Tennis 2024
ITA Division III Scholar Athletes: Mikayla Edquiban, Kate Herlihy, Kayla McSweeney, Nina Patience
ITA All-Academic Team Award
Women’s Track & Field 2024
USTFCCCA All-Academic: Gwen Berenyi, Alexandra Draves, Mercedes Jackson, Natalie Johnson, Hannah Jones, Katelyn McCann, Kyla Miller, Cali Minkie, Lindsey Novak, Cire’ Smith
CSC Academic All-Americans: Hannah Jones, Lindsey Novak
USTFCCCA All-Academic Team Award
Women’s Triathlon 2024
CTCA Scholar All-Americans: Abigail Anderson, Charlotte Kumler, Hailey Poe
Women’s Volleyball 2024
AVCA Team Academic Award
Women’s Wrestling 2025
NWCA Scholar All-Americans: Riley Aamold, Bella Bolek, Caylynn Chandler, Dakota Drew, Mikayla Garcia, Taylor Graveman, Emma Grimm, Gracie Guarino, Fiona McConnell, Taylor Miess, Eliano Paramo, Sydney Park, Sydney Perry, Sydney Petzinger, Lizzie Raleigh, Kendra Ryan, Sara Sterner, Clare Waite, Halle White, Dasia Yearby, Amaya Yoshizumi, Zurri Zamora
