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Academics

Jul 24
1

Art Alum Earns Emmy

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James “Jamie” Buchanan, a graduate of Delta State University’s art department, was recently named the recipient of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 2018 Heartland Emmy for excellence in television programming in the category of Graphic Arts News for his contribution in the production of “Selling Girls,” a web mini-series about underground human trafficking.

“Selling Girls” gives the viewer a glimpse into the world of human trafficking — what it is and how it happens — while using interviews with people from all sides of the triangle, the “pimp”, the buyer, and the girl, to explain to citizens what they can look for and how to help.

Buchanan graduated from Delta State in December 2015 with a degree in graphic design and a minor in video production and now works as a motion graphic artist for TEGNA, Inc., a broadcast company owning 46 news stations across the U.S. “Selling Girls” began as a local news story based out of Atlanta. The artists at TEGNA, Inc. work with the stations to create graphics needed and this story started as one of those graphics.

The Emmy winner credited his success to Delta State’s curriculum and his internship with Delta Arts Alliance. “I take inspiration and remember everything I learned at Delta State and my time interning and freelancing with the Delta Arts Alliance. My experience working with Rori Herbison at DAA was invaluable in learning about the theory and the act of design, and I was afforded that opportunity by the stellar art program offered by Delta State.”

Michael Stanley, Chair of the Art Department, said he is looking forward to seeing what Jamie does next. “The art department is so proud of Jamie for receiving this Emmy Award.  He has always been a motivated artist and hard worker, and this award illustrates his commitment to his craft.  He now joins a long list of distinguished alumni from the Delta State Art Department who have gone on to do some incredible things across the country.”

Jul 03
1

Penton presents research at national symposium

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Delta State University student Katie Penton recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to present her research to a national audience at the National IDeA Symposium on Biomedical Research Excellence (NISBRE) in late June.

NISBRE is a biennial symposium aimed at showcasing the biomedical research conducted by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences’ Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) program. The conference is attended by all 23 IDeA funded states and Puerto Rico.

Penton conducts her research in the lab of Delta State’s Dr. Sharon Hamilton, assistant professor of chemistry. She was invited to present her work as a part of Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE).

“Through attending NISBRE I was able to network and meet other researchers,” said Penton. “These new contacts gave great advice and encouragement towards my scientific aspirations.”

While at NISBRE, students are able to explore scientific sessions, collaborate with researchers in various fields and build their professional network.

“We are very excited to be able to offer opportunities for our undergraduate students to present their research to a national audience,”said Dr. Mohamed Elasri, director of INBRE. “I enjoyed seeing our students in action. They presented their research, networked with scientists from all over the nation, and most importantly represented Mississippi well.” said Dr. Mohamed Elasri.

Penton said presenting research to a national audience is especially beneficial for students as they are able to work on presentation skills and get advice that can be useful in future research or career development.

“I was also able to gain new insight into some aspects of my research that I’ll be implementing in the coming weeks,” added Penton.

INBRE is a statewide program that is supported by an award from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences. Its mission is to enhance the biomedical foundation in Mississippi and to reach out to Mississippians in order to improve health throughout the state. INBRE seeks to engage talented researchers and students in biomedical research projects that will increase the state’s research competitiveness as well as impact the health of citizens.

For more information about INBRE, visit msinbre.org.

Learn more about Delta State’s Department of Chemistry and Physics at http://www.deltastate.edu/artsandsciences/chemistry-and-physics.

Jul 02
2

Chemistry department working on summer research

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Pictured (left to right): Dr. Sharon Hamilton, Katie Penton, Madison Parkerson and Michael Neal.

 

Madison Parkerson, a student at Washington School in Greenville, Mississippi, has been doing summer research in the lab of Dr. Sharon Hamilton, assistant professor of chemistry at Delta State University.

Parkerson has also been working under the guidance of Katie Penton, a Delta State student in the Master of Science in natural science program.

This is the third summer Hamilton has hosted high school students in her research lab.

“I believe providing this opportunity to high-schoolers is an important part of what I do as an educator,” said Hamilton. “It is so important to inspire the next generation of scientists, and giving students a chance to have a hands-on learning experience while they are still in high school can afford them that inspiration.”

In total, the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Delta State has hosted four summer research high school students over the last three years. Three of these students have worked under Hamilton and one worked with Dr. Adam Johanson, planetarium director and assistant professor of physics.

“As chair of the department, I’ve been happy to support Dr. Hamilton in her efforts to sponsor high school students conducting summer research in her laboratory,” said Dr. Joseph Bentley. “Madison has been a delight to have around the department, and she took the initiative to contact me about doing research with us over the summer. She has proven to be a stellar research student and we are very happy to have her here.”

The connection was made between Parkerson and Penton through Penton’s outreach work that is part of her NASA Graduate Fellowship. At the end of the summer, Penton will graduate with her master’s degree, and she will be pursuing a doctorate at Vanderbilt University in the Department of Chemistry.

Penton received the prestigious NASA fellowship in 2017. The program focuses on two aspects — her innovative research at Delta State, and her K-12 STEM education outreach plan to visit Mississippi Delta schools and share demonstrations of science, particularly chemistry demonstrations.

Hamilton also has two chemistry undergraduate students conducting research this summer. Ashley Bonner, senior chemistry major, and Michael Neal, McNair Scholar and junior chemistry/biology major, are both conducting Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) sponsored research in the lab. It is anticipated that the results of their research will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

INBRE is a network of colleges and universities, designed to build a biomedical research infrastructure in Mississippi. Its mission is to reach out to Mississippians in order to improve health throughout the state and to engage talented researchers and students in biomedical research projects that will increase the state’s research competitiveness, as well as impact the health of citizens of Mississippi.

Hamilton’s research is supported by INBRE and funded by an Institutional Development Award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P20GM103476.

Learn more about Delta State’s Department of Chemistry and Physics at http://www.deltastate.edu/artsandsciences/chemistry-and-physics.

Jun 25
0

Students receive competitive award to conduct biomedical research

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Ashley Griffin (left) and Virginia Baker

 

This summer, two Delta State University students, Virginia Baker and Ashley Griffin, were selected as part of a group of only 34 students in Mississippi to participate in a biomedical research internship through Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Research Scholars program.

Students in the INBRE program work with researchers throughout the state to conduct biomedical research. This practical experience provides students with a skill set and knowledge base which will help them as they further their educational career and their research.

“The Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars program provides our students with real-world, hands-on research experiences,” said Dr. Glen Shearer, INBRE program coordinator. “Our students engage in cutting-edge research in some aspect of biomedicine, and thereby, become a part of the worldwide enterprise to discover and disseminate new knowledge,” said Dr. Glen Shearer.

Baker and Griffin spent the first week of their internship at The University of Southern Mississippi learning laboratory basics and safety techniques. They were also able to hear from professionals about graduate programs, résumé and interviewing tips, and presenting at professional conferences.

After completing this training week, students began working with mentors to complete the remaining 10 weeks of their internship. Baker will be spending her summer in the lab of Dr. Nathan Hammer at the University of Mississippi. Griffin will be working in Dr. Kedra Wallace’s lab at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

“Along with their research activities, our students begin to build their professional ‘people network’ – some of whom will be life-long colleagues and mentors,” added Shearer.

Both Baker and Griffin have aspirations to further their careers in research and medicine to be of service to their home state of Mississippi. Following the internship, they will have several opportunities to present their research, further expanding their professional network and marketable experience.

Mississippi INBRE, directed by Dr. Mohamed Elasri, a professor at The University of Southern Mississippi, is a statewide program that is supported by an award from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences. Their mission is to enhance the biomedical foundation in Mississippi and to reach out to Mississippians in order to improve health throughout the state.

The program seeks to engage talented researchers and students in biomedical research projects that will increase the state’s research competitiveness, as well as impact the health of citizens of Mississippi.

For more information about Mississippi INBRE, visit msinbre.org.

Jun 05
0

University updates scholarship policies

By | Academics, Admissions, Students | No Comments

Delta State University recently updated its academic scholarship policy to align more closely with hours required for degree completion, as well as state financial aid policies.

“The changes will take effect fall 2018 and will apply to incoming students only,” said Dr. Debbie Heslep, dean of enrollment management at Delta State. “Current students will not be impacted by these changes.”

The changes include:
— Recipients must complete 15 hours each fall and spring semester.
— Freshman scholarships will be available for a maximum of 8 semesters of undergraduate study only.
— Transfer scholarships will be available for a maximum of 4 semesters of undergraduate study only.
— Transfer students with community college hours only (excluding dual credit hours) will be considered.
— Transfer students will be required to maintain a 3.25 Delta State grade point average for scholarship renewal.

In addition, the Statesman Award will only pay room and board if the student is living on campus. Also of note, Recognition Awards will only be available to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members.

“The slight changes impact transfer scholarships based on membership in a national honor society,” said Dr. Charles McAdams, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “The change in the GPA requirement to receive and maintain the scholarship reflect more accurately the academic achievement expected of a student in this honor society. The change also aligns our scholarship requirement with other universities.”

Follow all Delta State news at www.deltastate.edu.

 

 

 

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