Three Lindenwood University students presented and earned awards and honors at the 2023 Alpha Chi National Convention from March 30-April 1 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Dr. Elaine Ragland, who has a Master of Fine Arts in writing and is the office manager of the College of Arts and Humanities, read her original poetry during the convention.

Tayla Whitley, who is majoring in mass communications with an emphasis in media management and sales, described the best practices in marketing and branding during the event.

Left to Right: Dr. Elaine Ragland, Tayla Whitley, Edward Hansford

“Traveling with faculty mentors, practicing power skills like critical thinking, public speaking, and interpersonal communications, and exploring lifelong learning by attending keynote addresses and conference workshops was invaluable,” Whitley said.

Edward Hansford, a triple major in political science, philosophy and religion, and international relations, presented his research on sustainability efforts at Lindenwood. Hansford also received the Margaret A. FitzGerald Prize in political science, the highest honor in political science for Alpha Chi.

“(Whitley and Hansford) learned about various academic disciplines by attending other students’ presentation and their own presentations gave them a platform to grow in confidence and be even better prepared for life after graduation,” said Professor of English Dr. Justine Pas, a faculty sponsor of the Honors Academy.

Left to Right: Dr. Justine Pas, Dr. Kathi Vosevich, Cheyenne Burns

Pas also received the Service Award during the closing ceremony of the convention. Pas is the second consecutive Lindenwood faculty member to win the award after Dean of College of Arts and Humanities Dr. Kathi Vosevich received the honor last year.  

Another Lindenwood student received an award during the convention. Cheyenne Burns, who is majoring in English and minoring in gender studies, was awarded the Robert W. Sledge Fellowship Award. Only two of these fellowship awards are given out each year. Burns’ winning submission was a research paper. She will have another research paper published in Athletica, an Alpha Chi peer-reviewed journal.

These accomplishments highlight Lindenwood’s academic success on a national stage and showcase students’ academic abilities and achievements through their coursework, projects, and other endeavors at Lindenwood.