Students Present at 2023 Academic and Research Symposium

On April 24th,  Concordia University, Nebraska hosted the 12th annual academic research symposium.  

The symposium provided students with the opportunity to present research they have worked on over the course of the last semester. It also allows students to opportunity to present their research in a relaxed, interdisciplinary setting. This year, a total of 58 students gave 28 poster and 37 oral presentations. Students presented on a wide variety of topics, from migration patterns of snow geese to a summary of a science fiction novel.  

Dr. Raegan Skelton, professor of biology, and first-time judge for the symposium, commented on the importance of presenting. “It was fantastic to see how many students participated from such a wide variety of disciplines. Practicing poster and oral presentations is such an important part of developing into independent researchers and citizens; it helps students learn how to articulate their ideas to others who may not be familiar with their topic and gives students the opportunity to gain confidence in doing so.” 

Dr. Kathy Miller, a long-time professor of anthropology at Concordia, appreciated the passion and variety of topics students are still able to present on. Miller stated that, “It is inspiring to learn about what our students are doing and the quality of students we are fortunate to have at Concordia. It was impressive to see the quality of work, creativity, pride and enthusiasm the students expressed about their topic.” 

Students who participated in the academic research symposium are (listed alphabetically, by name):  

Carsen Arline, senior, Nederland, Texas 

Tyler Bartels, senior, Tecumseh, Neb.  

Rachel Battershell, senior, Wheatland, Wyo.  

Katherine Bauer, junior, Saint Paul, Neb.  

Carlos Benavides, senior, Aurora, Colo.  

Nathan Birtell, senior, Seward, Neb.  

Hannah Callahan, sophomore, York, Neb.  

Haley Compton, senior, Papillion, Neb. 

Lauren Dawson, junior, Cedar Falls, Iowa 

Owen Dawson, senior, Seward, Neb.  

Madison Ellis, senior, Omaha, Neb.  

Logan French, senior, Fort Collins, Colo.  

Matthew Gebauer, junior, Duncanville, Texas 

Jacob Gosnell, senior, North Platte, Neb.  

Madelyn Graham, sophomore, Grand Island, Neb.  

Charlie Hayden, sophomore, Elkhorn, Neb.  

Ellie Jander, sophomore, Bridgeton, Mo. 

Taylor Johnson, junior, Council Bluffs, Iowa 

Jaxson Kant, junior, Norfolk, Neb.  

Nathan Kieser, senior, Plano, Texas 

Gabrielle Krutsinger, junior, Imperial, Neb.  

Kadyn Lane, senior, Phoenix, Ariz.  

Jonathan Landrey, senior, Seward, Neb.  

Brooke Lange, junior, Concordia, Mo. 

Megan Lange, sophomore, Citrus Heights, Calif.  

Esther Langness, senior, Englewood, Colo.  

Benjamin Larsen, senior, Lees Summit, Mo. 

Olivia Leising, senior, Arapahoe, Neb.  

Tyler Linneman, senior, Carrollton, Mo. 

Wyatt Loga, senior, Bee, Neb.  

Ben Moll, senior, Seward, Neb.  

Gerald Morris, senior, Arlington, Texas 

Emily Otten, sophomore, Omaha, Neb.  

Justin Otten, freshman, Omaha, Neb.  

Rachel Otten, junior, Pilger, Neb. 

Renata Peperkorn, senior, Fort Wayne, Ind.  

Victoria Perry, junior, Shelby, Neb.  

Erin Painter, junior, Ainsworth, Neb.  

Anthony Perez, junior, Redondo Beach, Calif.  

Elayne Poppe, junior, Lincoln, Neb.  

Naomi Postier, senior, Newton, Kan.  

Joel Rathe, junior, Sterling, Neb.  

Sabrina Reed, senior, Crete, Neb. 

Devin Rathman, junior, Grand Island, Neb.  

Psalm Richters, sophomore, Utica, Neb.  

Katie Rickords, senior, Seward, Neb.  

Victoria Ritzma, senior, Concordia, Mo.  

Nicole Rodriguez, senior, Billings, Mont.  

Malia Rolf, senior, Seward, Neb.  

Daylan Russell, junior, Alma, Neb.  

Camden Sesna, senior, Kearney, Neb.  

Christopher Shelton, senior, Colorado Springs, Colo.  

Grace Soenksen, senior, Lincoln, Neb.  

Creighton Taylor, senior, Gretna, Neb.  

Teegan Tschampel, junior, Merill, Iowa 

Julia Witt, senior, Columbus, Neb.  

Ivan Yabut, senior, Omaha, Neb.  

Zachary Zohner, junior, Battle Creek, Mo. 

Interested in being part of one of these academic program at Concordia? Learn more about the programs here.