36 HU students present research at Butler conference

Thirty-six Huntington University students presented research from their research methods classes at the Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference on April 8 in Indianapolis. The HU students also attended multiple presentations from students who represented universities from across Indiana. Huntington University students have presented at the conference for the last 10 years.

“This was a great opportunity for students to contribute to the body of knowledge within the field of Communication as well as demonstrate their ability to construct and present a quantitative research project in a public forum,” said Dr. Michael Rowley, associate professor of communication and department chair.  

The students presented their research from self-conducted studies and surveys on a range of topics, including perceptions of tattoos, personality types and political affiliation, significance of hierarchy in familial relationships, cell phone use and romantic relationships, multitasking and academic performance and impact of mandala coloring on stress in nursing students.

“These students have worked hard for two semesters, choosing topics, writing proposals, and then working in small groups to conduct the studies and analyze the data themselves,” said Dr. Rebekah Benjamin, assistant professor of psychology. “Presenting at the Butler conference was a great opportunity for them to share their results with the larger community and to see some of the work going on around the region.”

Huntington University student presenters include:

Jennifer Ballinger, a senior social work major from Huntington, Ind.
Samuel Barrett, a senior psychology and biblical studies major from Delta, Ohio.
Derek Beckler, a junior criminal justice and psychology major from Logansport, Ind.
Courtney Borton, a junior communication studies and public relations major from Jackson, Mich.
Samantha Bruns, a junior social work major from Fort Wayne, Ind.
Andrew Cherry, a junior social work major from Brooklyn, Mich.

Melanie Clemens, a senior psychology major from Bourbon, Ind.
Lindsey Czernicki, a junior social work major from Racine, Wis.
Caylan De Lucia, a junior social work major from Worthington, Ohio.
Kristen Dilley, a senior communication studies major from Portland, Ind.
Brooke Ewing, a senior psychology major from Rochester, Ind.
Amy Geders, a senior sociology major from Huntington, Ind.
Zachary Herber, a junior psychology major from Fort Wayne, Ind.
Christian Herrera, a senior journalism and communication studies major from Chicago, Ill.
Christiana Hicks, a junior social work and psychology major from Fort Wayne, Ind.
Corinne Kauffman, a senior psychology and education ministries major from Columbia City, Ind.
Nicole Kelly, a junior biblical studies and communication studies major from Pioneer, Ohio.
Hailey Konger, a junior social work major from South Whitley, Ind.
Sonya Lawrence, a senior accounting and psychology major from Spanish Town, Jamaica.
Anna-Kay Levy, a senior communication studies, journalism and public relations major from Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
Miranda Palmer, a senior public relations and communications studies major from Findlay, Ohio.
Ye In Park, a junior psychology major from Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Alexandra Pollock, a senior journalism and communication studies major from Cicero, Ind.
Nathaniel Roth, a junior psychology and theater performance major from Liberty Township, Ohio.
Marcos Salinas, a senior psychology, sociology and criminal justice major from Pittsburg, Texas.
Laura Sigworth, a junior social work major from Decatur, Ind.
Rachel TerMarsch, a senior communication studies major from Holly, Mich.
Abigail Thiebaut, a senior public relations and communication studies major from Munith, Mich.
Angelica Thompson, a senior communication studies major from Monticello, Ind.
Allyson Trout, a senior psychology major from Huntington, Ind.
Jonathan VanDuyne, a junior social work major from Wabash, Ind.
Susanna Vining, a senior social work and psychology major from Huntington, Ind.
Alexa Walczak, a senior communication studies major from Blissfield, Mich.
Olivia Watkins, a senior biblical studies and communication studies major from Kenton, Ohio.
Sayde Weible, a junior psychology major from Saint Clair, Mo.
Rebekah Zimmerman, a junior social work major from Berne, Ind.