BAIRD CHAPEL 

From Cumberland University to City Hall: The Transition of Professor to Mayor and the Relationship Between  Cumberland University and the City of Lebanon 

Presenter: Mayor Rick Bell 

The presenter will discuss his transition from history professor at Cumberland University to Mayor of Lebanon. He will also  talk about the relationship between Cumberland University and Lebanon. 

HEYDEL AUDITORIUM 

Cold-Hearted: Ted Bundy from Four Perspectives 

Presenters: Dr. Jessica Bilbrey-Worthington, Ms. Suzann Lafferty, Dr. Tara Mitchell Mielnik, and Dr. Rachael Bible 

A look at the motivations behind Ted Bundy’s crimes from psychological, criminological, historical, and anthropological  perspectives. 

LIBRARY READING ROOM 

Colorful Chemistry: Paints and Pigments 

Presenter: Dr. Sarah Pierce 

The presenter will discuss the science behind color, paints, and pigments 

“Colonial” Science: John Brian Christopherson and Sudanese Knowledge in Anglo-Egyptian Sudan 

Presenter: Dr. Miguel Angel Chavez 

The presenter will give an overview of the career of the British epidemiologist John Brian Christopherson and his career in  early-20th century Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. He will show that Christopherson was committed to an ideological program of  colonial paternalism which led him to ignore the status of Sudanese medical practices as “scientific.” The presenter will  further argue that the relationship between Christopherson and his non-Western informants destabilized the dichotomy of  “indigenous” and “colonial” forms of knowledge. 

MEMORIAL HALL 203 

Fast & Furious Fiction: A Reading by Advanced Fiction Students 

Presenters: Creative Writing 405: Advanced Fiction students with Ms. Kerry Ann Moore 

Students from Creative Writing 405: Advanced Fiction will perform a fast and furious, round robin reading from their short stories.

MEMORIAL HALL 205 

Bystander Intervention: Empowering Individuals to Act 

Presenters: Ms. Lizzie Rice with the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence 

This presentation reviews consent, the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses, the bystander effect, and the  causes of the bystander effect. This training aims to equip participants with the skills necessary to see red flags of sexual violence and effectively intervene in situations of potential violence. 

LABRY HALL 209 

Star Wars the Ups and Downs of Collecting 

Presenter: Mr. Milton Sager 

The presenter will discuss the ups and downs of collecting Star Wars memorabilia. 

Harry Potter and the LEGO Bricks: Twenty Years of Magical Sets 

Presenter: Dr. Rory Sellgren 

The presenter will discuss the history of the Harry Potter LEGO theme, collections and maintenance, evolution of LEGO (from  systems, and building techniques, to franchise partnerships), differences between play and display sets, LEGO as investment  opportunities, and LEGO sets as play therapy, cognitive therapy, and physical therapy. 

LABRY HALL 211 

Building AI for Big Data Biology: Computational Models for High-throughput Sequencing Data 

Presenter: Mr. David Ludwig 

High-throughput DNA sequencing (HDS) data is now becoming widely available and analysis of this data requires new  computational methods. Deep learning methods have been successfully applied to other biological data, but the  unstructured elements of HDS require new deep learning approaches. In this talk, we will investigate the suitability of new  deep learning approaches adapted for unstructured domains on HDS data obtained from prairie soil samples to uncover  relationships between different soil microbial communities. 

Pushing the Limits: Helping Computers Learn from Potentially Unlimited, Unstructured Data Sets 

Presenter: Ms. Kendra Givens  

Much data in our world consists of unstructured sets of structured objects (sets of documents, sets of images, sets DNA  sequences, etc.). Deep learning approaches have been used in the past to analyze large -structured- data, even of  potentially arbitrarily length. However, novel modifications to such methods are needed to process an arbitrary number of  structured items (not just a single item at a time). In this talk, we describe the creation of a new deep learning architecture  which extends approaches for processing structured data to the unstructured domain, allowing for potentially arbitrary sized sets of data to be processed. We investigate the current strengths and limitations of our approach on an important  unstructured data analysis problem in computational biology: categorization of high-throughput DNA sequencing data  obtained from prairie soil samples.

LABRY HALL 210 

When Your Body Attacks Itself: Autoimmune Disorders 

Presenter: Dr. Laura Bechard 

In this talk, the presenter will describe several autoimmune disorders and how they affect the body. She will also discuss  how autoimmune disorders originate. 

MEMORIAL HALL 306 

See the World with CU 

Presenters: Ms. Summer Vertrees and Dr. Sean McDaniel 

Come learn more about the amazing benefits of world travel, as well as how you can take a trip to London and Paris with  others from Cumberland. 

LABRY HALL 117 

Preparing Effective Educators 

Presenter: Dr. Sandy H. Smith 

What does it take to be an effective teacher? Graduates of the Cumberland University Educator Preparation Program have  proven themselves to be effective teachers! Come find out what CU graduates do that make them so effective! 

Old School Fool 

Presenter: Mr. Gabriel C. Brune 

The presenter will discuss a weird, but extremely interesting hobby of his, converting DVDs to VHS Tapes. He converts new  2010-2022s movies onto blank VHS Tapes. 

MEMORIAL HALL 202 

The Forgotten Legends of Soccer 

Presenter: Dr. Max Melnikov 

The presenter will discuss stories the and the drama behind the careers of 10 legendary soccer players.

SHAPE of Tennessee 

Presenter: Dr. George Walker 

This presentation encompasses the lack of physical activity in Tennessee’s school age children as well as adults. Included in  this presentation will be the negative effects sedentary lifestyles and long-term health effects.

MEMORIAL HALL 208  

Suicide Prevention Training-QPR 

Presenter: Ms. Brenda Harper with TN Suicide Prevention Network 

The QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) program will provide training for an individual to recognize the signs, symptoms, and  ways to try and help prevent Suicide among individuals. The QPR mission is to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by  providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. 

LABRY HALL 207 

Cognitive Dissonance and Change of Mind 

Presenters: Dr. Mike Ripski 

Stories and experiences will be presented that unsettle, disturb, and create inner conflict. Question: What to do now?

MEMORIAL HALL 204 

Engaging Gen Z on Intergenerational Workplace Teams 

Presenter: Dr. Karah Sprouse 

Over the past two years Gen Z has been leading what companies call “The Great Resignation,” switching jobs 134% more  than in 2019 (Carney, 2022). This presentation will cover the highlights of the research study Dr. Sprouse conducted on how  Gen Z engages with older generations in the workplace and is often misunderstood. 

MEMORIAL HALL 207 

Contact Combat: How Krav Maga Empowers Users to “Get Home Safe” 

Presenters: Dr. Sara Hays and Mr. Eric Cook 

A brief presentation about the origins, philosophy, and benefits of the martial art Krav Maga, followed by a live demo of  some common defenses against things like chokes, grapples, guns, and knives by a certified Krav Maga black belt. 

LABRY HALL 118 

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training: From Physiology to Application 

Presenter: Dr. Bradley Jordan 

This presentation will provide a brief background of the physiology of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training, potential risks,  and the current research evidence to support its efficacy in both clinical and athletic populations.

LABRY HALL 115 

Cannabis/Marijuana 101: Weeding Thru Opinions 

Presenter: Ms. Stephanie Davis 

This presentation will provide a broad understanding of cannabis/marijuana. This includes terminology, reasons young  people do or do not use, the endocannabinoid system, short-term and long-term effects of cannabis/marijuana use, and  the potential impacts on the adolescent brain. 

Pink Noise for Studying and De-Stressing 

Presenter: Ms. Shaquillra Taylor and Ms. Leighanne Buchanan 

Listen to how pink and brown noise can help you with anxiety, depression, studying, relaxing, and unwinding after a tough  day. Join TAL for a little bit of mindfulness to destress using playlists and apps to move your nervous system from stress  response to relaxation response to improve focus and memory. 

LABRY HALL 122 

Questions and Answers with the President and Provost 

Presenters: Dr. Paul Stumb and Dr. Bill McKee 

Do you have a burning question for CU’s President Dr. Paul Stumb or CU’s Provost Dr. Bill McKee? Come to this session to  have those questions answered. 

BAIRD CHAPEL 

Transcultural Nursing 

Presenter: Ms. Michelle Zuercher 

The presenter will discuss a transcultural nursing experience in Honduras as both a student of Cumberland and a  professional nurse. 

Living, LEARNING, and Fun: Why the 4th Floor of South Hall is Right For You 

Presenters: Mrs. Abby Pitts and Dr. Mary Bess Griffith 

Learn what a Living Learning Community is and discover how CU’s newly created one in South Hall is designed to help you  succeed in your Pre-Nursing AND Nursing classes at CU. 

HEYDEL AUDITORIUM 

January 6, 2021: US Capitol Attack 

Presenters: Dr. Dan Rousseau and USCP Guest 

This presentation will discuss what happened on January 6, 2022, and the lessons learned following the attack on the US  Capitol. 

LIBRARY READING ROOM 

“Finding Your Roots:” Exploring Genealogy for the Beginner 

Presenters: Dr. Tara Mitchell Mielnik and Dr. Rachael C. Bible 

Tracing genealogy enables you to find out interesting and surprising things about your family’s background! Join Drs. Bible  and Mielnik to learn out to begin to trace your family’s history and see where their explorations have taken them! 

MEMORIAL HALL 203 

Poets in Progress: Celebrating the Poetry of Students 

Presenter: Ms. Sandee Gertz 

Join us as budding poets from our Creative Writing Intro Class and students in Poetry 1 read from their works in progress  and talk about how poetry has inspired them. Find out about student publications for publishing, such as Novus and Lyre of  the Phoenix as well. 

MEMORIAL HALL 205 

ACE’s – Adverse Childhood Experiences 

Presenter: Dr. Cyndy Stone Allen 

This presentation will discuss how adverse childhood experiences affect brain architecture and what supports can be  learned to help build resilience.

LABRY HALL 209 

Starting a Business with No Marketable Skills 

Presenter: Dr. Noa D. Stroop 

Anyone can start a business – even if you don’t seem to have any skills. Join the presenter for a presentation on how an  Average Joe can turn an Average Talent into an extraordinary business. 

LABRY HALL 211 

What Does x Equal? Famous Math Problems 

Presenters: Mr. AJ Akpan, Mr. Felipe Ferreira, Mr. James Nichols, Mr. Frangil Ramirez, and Dr. Will Tune 

Ever wonder what keeps mathematicians awake at night? Come and learn about some famous mathematical problems, both solved and unsolved. The presenters will explain what the problems are, some of the history behind them, and what  efforts have been made to solve them. 

LABRY HALL 210 

My Personal and Scientific Journey: Across the Scales of Biology 

Presenter: Dr. Alyssa Carrell 

Dr. Alyssa Carrell, a scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will share her personal and professional journey in the  biological sciences. She will share her journey working as an industry scientist, experiences working a National Laboratory,  and some results from her research. 

MEMORIAL HALL 306 

Haiti in the Present 

Presenter: Dr. Natalie Inman 

Haiti, an island nation just a 90-minute flight from Miami, has experienced mass protests, wars between gangs and police, a  presidential assassination, and a massive earthquake and hurricane just within the last year. This talk will address where  these challenges came from and how the Haitian people are working toward a more stable future. 

LABRY HALL 117 

The Serial Podcast and Wrongful Conviction 

Presenter: Ms. Suzann Lafferty 

The presenter will discuss the Serial podcast in the context of a possible wrongful conviction. 

You Belong 

Presenter: Mr. Will Romero 

The presenter will discuss different types of microaggression comments as well as promote inclusion and diversity.

MEMORIAL HALL 202 

The Four-Year Balancing Act: How Students Manage Employment 

Presenters: Ms. Madison Mazzanti and Dr. Jenny Mason 

The presenter will discuss a pilot study conducted by herself in the spring of 2022 on Cumberland University’s campus. This  research was done to determine the difference in anxiety levels of employed students versus unemployed students. 

Athletes and Their Connections with Rationalism and Superstition 

Presenters: Ms. Jessica Maynard and Dr. Jenny Mason 

The presenter conducted a pilot study during spring 2022 and will share the results of the study. The study focused on  athletes and their connections with rationalism and superstition. 

LABRY HALL 207 

How We Interpret Our Experience: Paradigms, Hermeneutics, Heuristics, And Worldviews 

Presenter: Dr. Mike Ripski 

Participants will take a survey designed to bring their interpretative lenses to consciousness. 

MEMORIAL HALL 204 

Black Health, Wellness, & Stigmas 

Presenter: Ms. Shaquillra Taylor, Afro Student Organization, and Ms. Kerry Ann Moore 

Afro’s focus this semester is on advancing black health and wellness. Our presentation will discuss black college students’  risk, resiliency, and protective factors. 

MEMORIAL HALL 207 

Zine-age Dreams 

Presenters: Honors English Seminar Students and Mr. Wyatt Keener 

Students from Honors English Seminar will present the zines they’ve been working on this semester.

LABRY HALL 118 

What the Fringes can Teach Us About Personalized Medicine 

Presenter: Dr. Kiersten Espaillat 

This talk will pull ideas from non-medical industries and outliers to bring light into the world of personalized medicine. Hint it could be more personalized.

LABRY HALL 115 

Facts About Fentanyl & Harm Reduction 

Presenters: Mrs. Tammy Grow and Mr. Michael Bare 

Tammy Grow, Executive Director of DrugFree WilCo will share what the prevention coalition is doing to prevent and reduce  substance misuse and addiction in Wilson County. Michael Bare, Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist, will follow up  with a brief talk about the dangers of fentanyl poisoning in many illicit drugs in TN and how to reduce the harm done in our  community due to the overdose epidemic. 

LABRY HALL 122 

And the Award Goes To: 

Presenter: Mr. Rusty Richardson 

Did you ever wonder how the Oscar winners are really chosen? If you like movies, you will enjoy this presentation on the  history of the Oscars and the winners.

BAIRD CHAPEL 

Southern Culture on the Skids 

Presenter: Mr. John Archibald 

John Archibald has been a journalist in Birmingham for more than 35 years. He is a Pulitzer-winning columnist and a  national Murrow Award-winning podcaster. Archibald is the author of “Shaking the Gates of Hell: A Search for Family and  Truth in the Wake of the Civil Rights Revolution,” included as one of NPR’s favorite books of 2021. He was a Nieman Fellow  at Harvard University in 2020-2021, where he taught column writing in the summer school. 

HEYDEL AUDITORIUM 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Surviving a Rattlesnake Bite 

Presenter: Dr. Danny Bryan 

Timber rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes are quite docile and are slow to deliver a bite. The venom of a snake is an  expensive commodity and the snakes are reluctant to deliver a bite to something they cannot consume. Snakes will bite  when they have no other option, but death from one of these bites is rare with proper medical treatment. This presentation  describes the account of an actual snake bite. 

LIBRARY READING ROOM 

Invasions of Eden: The Science of Medical Fiction 

Presenter: Dr. Will Whetsell 

With the emergence of a baffling and deadly neurological illness in a hospital in Atlanta, 39-year-old Cassandra Garriman, a  brilliant, ambitious, and strong-willed medical doctor, traces the mysterious disease back to a deserted island off the coast  of South Carolina. She uncovers its alarming potential, though neither infectious nor contagious, to spark a regional or even a national health threat as well as bioterrorism, international espionage, and geopolitical turmoil. About the Author: Will  Whetsell, a native of South Carolina, is a neurologist and neuropathologist living in Nashville, Tennessee. 

MEMORIAL HALL 203 

The Importance of Being Wordy: Careers in Creative & Professional Writing 

Presenter: Ms. Sandee Gertz 

More than ever before, a Creative & Professional Writing degree can lead to a wonderful job in words. With the explosion  of internet “content,” and other workplace factors, creative writing skills are in high demand. You might be surprised what  all you can do!  

MEMORIAL HALL 205 

Navigating Adversity: Developing Resilience 

Presenter: Dr. Eddie Christian 

This program speaks to how, despite life often being difficult and unfair, managing these times successfully depends upon  our perspective and healthy choices.

LABRY HALL 209 

Senior Artist Talks 

Presenters: Ms. Gracie Dungy, Ms. Mariela Padilla, Ms. Kristin Sheffield, and Ms. Alena Mehic 

Graduating seniors will be giving artist talks related to their portfolio work, process, final exhibition, and future goals.

The Brand of YOU 

Presenter: Dr. Valerie King 

In this session, attendees will gain knowledge and insight on the importance of establishing their personal brand. Key  information that will be shared includes what is branding, how it relates to an individual, how you manage your brand, the  importance of establishing your personal brand, and how your brand maintains its life. 

LABRY HALL 211 

The Intersectionality of Ethnicity and Sexual Double Standards 

Presenters: Ms. Sara Sawyer and Dr. Jenny Mason 

The presenter will give literature review outlining how ethnic culture influences sexual double standards. This review will  include how it impacts sexual behavior and ideas of gender roles within society. 

Mental Health in Athletes 

Presenters: Ms. Montanna Ray, Ms. Kenzie France, and Dr. Jenny Mason 

The presenters will discuss how age differences affect athletes’ mental health status. We will be comparing freshmen to  upper classmen. 

LABRY HALL 210 

Research in History: History Majors Senior Seminar 

Presenters: Mr. Zackary McAteer, Mr. Joshua Barba Perez, Mr. Conner Hatley, and Dr. Tara Mitchell Mielnik 

Cumberland History majors Zackary McAteer, Joshua Barba Perez, and Conner Hatley will present their Senior Seminar  independent research. 

MEMORIAL HALL 306 

When the Duke’s Daughter Runs Off with Her Sister’s Husband: 18th Century Novel Influences on TikTok Satire Serials?

Presenter: Dr. Michael Rex 

This presentation postulates that the act of creating a TikTok serial is analogous to the way many authors, especially  women, turned to novel publishing in the long 18th century. Given the number of women novelists and the overlap of  satire, histories “ripped from the headlines,” the pits and perils of work, and the use of the domestic/romance tropes, the  presenter will argue that the cultural influence of novels like Pamela/Shamela, Tristram Shandy, Love Letters Between a  Nobleman and his Sister, and The Female Quixote is obvious on serial satires like Hells’ Belles, Death and Her Mortal  Companion, Stupid Customer Chronicles, and Life in the Salon.

LABRY HALL 117 

Game Theory Optimal (GTO) Holdem Poker 

Presenter: Dr. Stuart Harris 

This presentation will cover the fundamentals of Game Theory Optimal theory as it pertains to No Limit Holdem Poker.  Participants should not be afraid of math. 

MEMORIAL HALL 202 

Physical Activity as a Vital Sign: A Paradigm Shift in Healthcare 

Presenter: Dr. Richard Storie 

The presenter will discuss why physical activity is being implemented as a vital sign and the implications for solving the  healthcare crisis. 

MEMORIAL HALL 208 

Psychosocial Implications of Post-Pandemic Normalcy 

Presenter: Dr. Richard Garvin, Jr. 

During the pandemic, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders rates have increased. In this presentation Dr. Garvin will  discuss the implications of the pandemic and how we can move forward. 

LABRY HALL 207 

How to Make Friends in College: Overcoming Social Anxieties 

Presenter: Ms. Andrea Davis 

Ever wonder how to make friends in college? Do you feel socially anxious around new people? Come learn some strategies  for getting outside your comfort zone and meeting new friends. 

MEMORIAL HALL 204 

Embracing Diversity On and Off Campus 

Presenter: Dr. Roshanda Odom 

The journey to equity and equality cannot be embarked upon unless you first embrace diversity. Come get some tips on  how to embark on your journey! 

MEMORIAL HALL 207 

Centering Prayer a Christian Meditation Practice 

Presenter: Ms. Leighanne Buchanan 

Interested in starting a regular meditation practice? Learn and practice a method that is Christ centered to care for and  nourish your mind, heart, and soul amidst your busy life.

LABRY HALL 122 

Yarn with a Purpose 

Presenter: Ms. Shari Brown 

Shari Brown, owner of Yarn That, Momma, will share her personal story of how crochet provided a sense of purpose in a  world of chaos. She will be bringing hooks and yarn so everyone can give crochet a try.