USC Aiken Scholars Showcase, Part 1

The University of South Carolina Aiken's Scholars Showcase on April 14, 2017 gave outstanding students across campus a chance to present their research and creative activities. Elaine Clanton Harpine and I were lucky enough to work with several of them.

Collytte Cederstrom gave an excellent oral presentation about Elaine's reading clinic. Her topic was "Inside Look at Freshmen-Sophomore Internships." She spoke energetically without notes. Collytte has been active in Elaine's reading clinic for two years now, and is slated to lead the instructional program next fall. She drew on this experience to discuss how much she learned. Since most internships are reserved for college seniors, her presentation offered a new and important perspective.

Collytte Cederstrom at USCA Scholars Showcase

This kind of event gives students a great opportunity to present their ideas to an audience and to gain public speaking experience. Many people don't realize that completing a research project is only the first step. Researchers also need to present their ideas to the academic community and the larger public. Many social scientists and natural scientists (sadly, not all) also speak and write very well; otherwise no one would know about or believe their ideas.

Another excellent student, Davonte' Jenkins, gave a serious, very well-received presentation in which

Davonte' Jenkins at USCA Scholars Showcase

he examined the credibility aspects of two speeches on race relations: one by former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, and one by South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. My college Dean was in the audience and made a well-deserved very favorable comment. Davonte' worked with the credibility theory of Theodore Clevenger and Kenneth Andersen. Andersen was one of my professors in graduate school, so I was especially impressed.

Since we usually think about race relations as an issue for liberal Democratic politicians, Davonte' decided that it would be interesting to examine race relations speeches by conservative Republicans. He showed how the two speakers displayed competence, good will, and dynamism.

By the way, Collytte and Davonte' were both very well prepared, which is, of course, one of the secrets of a great speech.

Many students are reluctant to engage in research. Does research sound scary? What research really means is that you learn something important, and then communicate it to other people. This is what makes progress possible.

Anyway, I have more to say about this event, so stay tuned for Part 2 in a day or two. 

Photos by Elaine Clanton Harpine