Millikin University's annual Celebrations of Scholarship (COS) is a culmination of the academic year where students from across the University present results of research, scholarship and creative efforts to the Millikin community.
On April 29, multiple subjects of research and discovery were covered across Millikin's campus representing the College of Arts & Sciences, Fine Arts, Professional Studies and Tabor School of Business. The event included the 23rd COS Poster Symposium, held on the second and third floors of Shilling Hall, highlighting the scholarly work completed by students in regular scheduled courses, seminars, internships and more.
Among the first presentations from Celebrations of Scholarship were playwriting staged readings held in Albert Taylor Theatre inside Shilling Hall. The readings were a celebration of the process of new play developments presented by students enrolled in Millikin's Playwriting course.
Readings were made from three plays. Each reading was followed by a short feedback session where audience members shared their thoughts with the student playwrights.
"It's really about what the playwright thinks is the best vehicle to present their words," said Dr. Tom Robson, Millikin assistant professor of theatre & dance. "The playwright has a chance to ask the people, who heard the play, for feedback."
The works in progress included "On Edge" written by Rachel Head, a junior theatre major from Indianapolis, Ind.; "No Hero" by Dave Thomson, a senior theatre major from Oak Forest, Ill.; and "Dealt With" written by Grace Piper, a senior theatre major from Palm Springs, Calif.
In the area of Behavioral Sciences, a group of Millikin students presented a new student organization called Big Blue Backpacks. With the focus on students in need at Dennis Lab School, Big Blue Backpacks aims to provide Dennis students with products that contribute to nutrition and wellness over each weekend during the academic year.
The presenters included Latasha Wilson, a senior human services major from Decatur, Ill.; Bryn Agnew, a senior human services major from Towanda, Ill.; Ashley Horan, a senior psychology major from Batavia, Ill.; Trista Smith, a junior human services major from Farmer City, Ill.; and Jonathan Rieck, a junior human services major from Elgin, Ill.
"One of the reasons I wanted to help initiate this program was because it embodies everything about Performance Learning," Rieck said. "We are undergraduate students working closely with the community to create something that is beneficial and provides us skills we will need later in life."
