Research Forum Recap Communication Arts

On Saturday, April 25th , 2026 at eight o’clock in the morning, you could feel the anticipation

building inside the Kelly Center. With posters rolled up in hand, students anxiously waited to

grab their name tag and find their assigned spot in the McCoy room. Communication Arts

seniors unraveled the accumulation of their academic experience and cautiously pinned them to the wooden frame. Many students brought creative supplemental items to include with their posters like infographics, resources, photographs, videos, and even toys. Students mingled among themselves and with the professors that have supported their journey. As nine fifteen approached, students settled into their spot in front of their poster, ready to greet their first judge.

The students provided a pitch and summary of their semester-long research. The judges asked thought-provoking and intentional questions that allowed the student presenters to dive into their breadth of knowledge. The communications seniors presented a range of unique and special interest topics. The forum allowed students to show off the skills they have learned in academic research, gathering data, creative writing, photography, photoshop, layout, and poster design.

Wyatt Morrow even noted that Professor Audrey Wagstaff and Professor Bekah Wall’s lessons

on color codes allowed him to match his suit to his poster. Followed by the judges were

community and family members. The community members were kind, curious, and appreciative of hard work. Students, faculty and community members enjoyed lemonade and cookies. The event was wrapped up at eleven o’clock by an award ceremony to recognize those who are pushing interesting and modern conversations. Special recognition was awarded to Communication Arts seniors, Trent Mendenhall, Wyatt Morrow, and Vanessa Asher. Thank you to Professor Jeff Hazelden for overseeing the production of the research posters. Congratulations to all student and faculty presenters for your dedication and perseverance. Every Communication Arts senior is creative and driven enough to make a real impact in this world.