[358] Science history, study abroad flavor MTSU Scholars Week projects

Science history, study abroad

flavor MTSU Scholars Week projects

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Hunter Hudsonspent countless hours researching the history of MTSU’s early science faculty members and their association with the Tennessee Academy of Science. And it captured MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee’sattention.

English major and University Honors College student Madeline Kurtzutilized her freshman year study abroad trip to Italy in 2016 as a prerequisite to a Scholars Weekposter presentation in the Student Union Ballroom.

The major portion of Scholars Week concluded with the universitywide Scholars Day Friday (March 23) in the Student Union Ballroom.

Scholars Weekis an annual celebration of research, scholarship and creative projects. It has expanded beyond a one-week format.

While meeting with various participants in the room, McPhee stopped and talked to Hudson about his historical project titled “Contributions of Early Middle Tennessee State Normal School Faculty in Establishing the Tennessee Academy of Science.”

“He (McPhee) said he learned something new (about the university),” Hudson, 27, a nontraditional student from Nashville, said. “He was not aware of some of these things.”

Archibald Belcher(at the normal school from 1911-24), Jeanette Moore(there from 1911-22) and William Mebane(1930-43) were early pioneers in the Tennessee Academy of Science, which was founded in 1912, one year after the university opened, Hudson said.

Hudson, who estimates spending 125 hours minimum on the project, listed 48 references “chronicling where we came from.” He combed through about 2,000 newspaper articles. Chemistry professor Martin Stewartis Hudson’s project sponsor.

A biology major switching to biochemistry, Hudson, a senior, will have a double major and minor. He plans to graduate in 2020 so “my work here is not done yet,” he said.

Honors College student Kurtz, 21, of Brentwood, Tennessee, titled her presentation “A Freshman’s Tale: An Italian Travel Memoir.” She listed 13 chapters, one for each day the group spent in Italy.

“I was homeschooled and had never been abroad,” said Kurtz, who was sponsored by Philip Phillips, Honors College associate dean.

The group visited Rome, Ostia Antica, Pompeii, Florence, Ravenna, Pisa and Venice, following the footsteps of various authors — including Dante, Vergil and Boethius — from Antiquity and the Renaissance.

“I reflected on these experiences,” she said. “My written recollections became the basis of my thesis. I expounded on the journal entries, diving into my personal history and philosophical reflections. I added new illustrations. The goal of my project was to explore through creative writing how travel affects a young person.”

Scholars Week judges’ winning posters will be displayed from Monday, March 26, through Thursday, April 12, in the James E. Walker Libraryatrium.  

Remaining Scholars Week activities include:

• Wednesday, March 28, College of Business Scholars Day— a business plan competition trade show — from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Building atrium.

• Monday, April 2, College of Education Scholars Day, with posters presented at 4 p.m. in College of Education Building Room 164 and a Distinguished Scholars Session with Vanderbilt University’s Emily Phillips Gallowayat 6 p.m. in COE 160.