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LWU Honors students showcase graduate-level research By Shelby Burton From the economics of jiu jitsu to the effects of ASMR on short-term memory, 13 Lindsey Wilson University Honors students explored a wide range of topics during the R.V. Bennett Honors Program spring symposium on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in the Katie Murrell Library. Held in the Thomas D. Clark Reading Room, the symposium featured student presentations spanning healthcare, business, communications, psychology, literature and more - turning the space into a daylong academic conference that highlighted the depth and diversity of undergraduate research at Lindsey Wilson. The symposium is a cornerstone of the R.V. Bennett Honors Program, where students spend a semester, and sometimes up to a year working closely with a faculty mentor to expand a course project or independent study into a more in-depth research presentation. "The students spend a semester working one-on-one with a faculty mentor to take a project wider and deeper," said Lindsey Wilson associate professor of history and R.V. Bennett Honors Program director Beth Tapscott. "We want them to find something they're passionate about and have the opportunity to really dive into it and take things beyond the expectation." Diverse topics, real-world connections Students' research covered a broad range of subjects, with presentations examining topics in science, social issues, economics, literature and human behavior. Kyrnan Bowman '29, a business administration major from Columbia, Kentucky, combined his interests in business and martial arts in his presentation, "The Economics of Jiu Jitsu." Bowman's research focused on how financial incentives shape the sport itself. "Those organizations' desire for profit changes how people train, which changes how the sport looks," said Bowman. Bowman said the project allowed him to connect his academic interests with a personal passion he has pursued since he was 11 years old. "I love economics, and more than anything, I love Jiu Jitsu," he said. "So it was just the perfect thing for me to do." Other students used their research to examine broader cultural and historical issues. Sarai Collins '28, a human services and counseling and women and gender studies double major from Columbia, Kentucky, explored the marginalization of women in Irish and American national identities. Her work connected historical analysis with modern-day influences, particularly the role of social media. "We're on social media every single day. It influences our thoughts and our feelings," said Collins. "I wanted to take those images, reflect on them, and then compare them to Irish history and the oppression women faced during the fight for independence." Collins said her research also highlighted how women's contributions have often gone unrecognized. "Real women were doing activist work, even if they were pushed to the side or didn't receive the credit they deserved," she said. "You saw what they went through then and it's happening now." Curiosity-driven research For other students, the symposium served as an opportunity to explore emerging or less-studied topics. Emma Couch '27 a psychology and Spanish double major from London, Kentucky, presented research on the effects of ASMR - a popular online content genre - on short-term memory. Couch said her work reflects the importance of staying open-minded when approaching unfamiliar subjects. "I think the main takeaway from my presentation is to remain open-minded to different types of things," said Couch. "And if you're interested in something, learn about it." Couch's research is ongoing, and she plans to continue collecting and analyzing data over the summer after being named a 2026 Ledford Scholars Award recipient. The competetive scholarship presented by the Appalachian College Association provides undergraduate students with the financial support needed to work on significant research projects. A 'higher level' of work According to Tapscott, the quality of student research continues to rise each year, with this spring's symposium standing out for the level of academic rigor displayed across presentations. "The overwhelming majority of the projects they're presenting are graduate level," said Tapscott. "Even a number of our freshmen and sophomores are presenting senior-level work." Tapscott says the level of commitment reflects the purpose of the Honors Program which is to give students the space and support to explore their interests in meaningful ways. "They never fail to impress," Tapscott said. "It's a chance for them to really engage with something they care about and take it further than they ever expected." This story was posted on 2026-04-15 08:31:29
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