Stephanie Madsen, professor of Psychology, published a study on the phenomenon of imaginary athletes, inspired by her class The Power of Play. In this Q&A, Madsen shares how psychology and play intersect, plus how she teaches students to make real-world connections.
McDaniel's Academic Symposium on Monday, May 5, highlights the original research, scholarship, and creative achievements of McDaniel students, faculty, and staff. Plus, two special events take place including a Community Networking Breakfast & Presentation of the Phi Beta Kappa Lifelong Learner Award and a Keynote Lunch with McDaniel College Budapest Professor Gábor Molnár (advance registration is required for both the breakfast and lunch events).
Assistant Professor of Sociology Daniel Boches and sophomore Kaiya Mayhew co-authored an article published in The American Sociologist proposing solutions to increase malpractice reporting among health care practitioners. In March, Mayhew presented the research at the 2025 Eastern Sociological Society Conference in Boston.
Five McDaniel students presented research at the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting. Their collaborative Kinesiology research projects in exercise science were conducted with mentorship from Professor Jennifer McKenzie ’01 and Associate Professor Richard Laird.
Every summer, McDaniel students make strides in their academic and professional savvy with the donor-funded Student-Faculty Collaborative Summer Research Program. By engaging with pressing issues — like contributing data to a global study on insect declines or surveying Maryland high school educators about current challenges — they gain skills that serve their communities now and in the future.
Inspired by their majors, two students in the Student-Faculty Collaborative Summer Research Program launched studies in underrepresented fields. With guidance from Lecturer and Director of First-Year Composition Alexander Champoux-Crowley, the students investigated theatre funding and interpreters in secondary education.
Associate Professor of Art Chloe Watson Irla ’07 has earned the Ira G. Zepp Distinguished Teaching Award for her dedication to teaching and scholarship, awarded at McDaniel’s 154th Commencement ceremony.
This spring, McDaniel students had the opportunity to present and be recognized for their original student-faculty at the American Chemical Society Conference and the Intercollegiate Student Chemists Convention, which host researchers from across the U.S.
McDaniel's Academic Symposium on Monday, April 29, includes a robust program of innovative and inspiring presentations. Throughout the day, McDaniel students, faculty, and staff showcase their original research, scholarship, and creative achievements. Plus, a keynote lunch features Assistant Professor of Biology Allison Kerwin who received a three-year National Science Foundation grant (advance registration is required).
In a 2023 study published in Florida Entomologist, McDaniel College researchers identify three new tree species not previously recorded as hosts for invasive spotted lanternfly nymphs. Back in 2019, two students and Associate Professor Holly Martinson surveyed the insect's nymphs and egg masses in Pennsylvania, as well as plants at the McDaniel campus and McDaniel Environmental Center, with support from the Student-Faculty Collaborative Summer Research Program.
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