“I think Scholar’s Day is a showcase of what makes Monmouth great...”
Karli Strom - Editor in Chief
Last week, Monmouth College scholars presented their academic pursuits and research projects in the Huff during Scholars Day, an annual celebration of student achievement. Students from all disciplines showcased their talents to peers and professors.
"In my senior research, I focus on seven different plays that have some sort of political message,” said senior theater and political science major, Molly White. A few plays she presented her analysis on were “Angels in America” by Tony Kushner; “Fat Ham” by James Ijames; “What the Constitution Means to Me” by Heidi James; and “Hamilton” by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
White focused on how the plays exemplified various identities and representation of America and American history. She wanted people to understand the importance of being able to express such life-changing topics through art, like theater.
“I fell in love with theater when I was 11. I’ve been doing it for a decade,” said White. “I’m under the belief that theater can change people's hearts and minds and give people an outlet and the ability to see themselves.”
White present more than one poster at Scholars Day. She also showcased her analysis of Captain America and “the American Identity and Masculinity” for the Communication Studies’ Superhero Media Criticism course with Professor Chris Goble.
“I thought it was an interesting take, especially for me as a woman, to write about masculine identity,” said White. “The story of Steve Rogers is an overwhelmingly positive story because he provides a good male role model in a time that good male role models are hard to come by.”
Along with presentations from the communication studies department about superheroes, the art department had a showcase of their semesters work; Professor Petra Kuppinger’s Everyday Sustainability class tabled the event, discussing sustainability as an achievable goal; the accounting and business departments provided insight on the changes to our global economy and major corporations.
“I think the thing that I take away from Scholars Day is the same thing I take away from Monmouth [College]...that’s the beauty of the liberal arts,” said White. “The beauty of it is that you can do whatever kind of research you want, and Monmouth is where you’re nurtured and able to do that.”