Children’s book, art, coming out stories, 3D printing, research among work at Thiel symposium

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Students in Thiel College’s Dietrich Honors Institute presented their research to the campus community during the Fall Thesis Symposium on December 12, covering diverse topics from art, architecture, finance and neuroscience and many other academic pursuits.

Director of the Dietrich Honors Institute Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D. noted that this year’s symposium featured more creative and interdisciplinary projects than ever before.

Among those who took a creative approach was Mary Cassano ’24, who presented an art exhibition featuring her original sunset landscape paintings, created after studying techniques used by other artists. Emma Deitz ’24 wrote two original children’s books designed to aid speech and language development.

Other projects addressed pressing contemporary issues. Marissa Locondro ’24 explored racial disparities in healthcare quality for prisoners. Kylie Vergnola ’24 explored the impact of coming out stories in Thiel’s LGBTQ+ community. Madi Yurich ’24 created a treatment plan for sign-language users suffering from Broca’s Aphasia, a disorder that disrupts speech. Other students studied advertising’s influence on children, community policing on college campuses, and building resilience in students. Marcus Hernandez ’24 used a 3D-printed model of a re-imagined Greenville Hall, the oldest building on campus, during his presentation on campus architecture.

Associate Director of the DHI and Associate Professor of Religion George Branch-Trevathan, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor of English Sheila Gross, Ph.D. ’10 mentored the thesis writers this fall, guiding their research, writing, and presentations. While working independently students shared feedback and provided support.

Branch-Trevathan said, “to give candid and constructive feedback takes time and tact,” and the result was a morning of impressive presentations.

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