Six students took home top awards in Grove City College’s inaugural Five-Minute Thesis Competition, a showcase for research and scholarly activity in the liberal arts and sciences conducted by students from a variety of majors.
The competition drew 22 students who, as the name implies, presented their work with a clock ticking to an audience of their peers and faculty judges.
Etienne Pienaar, a senior Conservation Biology major from Maineville, Ohio, won the top science prize and a $300 award for his presentation on the spatial distribution of the Eastern Sand Darter in western Pennsylvania.
Jacob Feiser, a senior Political Science major from Dallastown, won the top liberal arts spot and $300 for his summation of his work titled “Subjugation, Citizenship, and Prodigal Politics.
Other award winners were:
- Charles Fairfield, a senior Psychology major, won second place in science and $200.
- Lauren Travieso, a junior History major, won second place in liberal arts and $200.
- Emma Plank, a junior Exercise Science, won third place in science and $100.
- Brae Sadler, a freshman Economics major, third place in liberal arts and $100.
The Five-Minute Thesis Competition is a new event created by the College’s Committee for Student Research to create interest in and highlight the scholarly achievement of Grove City College students.
“Students from across campus worked hard to create a five-minute presentation highlighting their work. Congratulations to all,” said Dr. Hayden Gerhart, associate professor of Exercise Science and one of the event’s organizers. “We look forward to hosting the competition again next spring to showcase the incredible undergraduate research here at Grove City College.”