麻豆原创 (NCWU) held its inaugural Omnium Conference on Wednesday, April 9 at the Gateway Technology Center on campus. The event spotlighted undergraduate research and celebrated scholarly achievement across disciplines.
The Omnium Conference is a formal presentation of student research papers in affiliation with . Omnium is a Latin word meaning 鈥渆verything鈥, and the journal provides students with the opportunity to explore major genres of academic writing, join in scholarly conversations, share their ideas, perform original research, and see their work published in a professional venue. Now in its sixth volume, Omnium was established in 2019 by Dr. Doreen Thierauf, Associate Professor of English and General Education Program Coordinator. Dr. Thierauf serves as the journal鈥檚 sole editor and Dr. Shane Thompson, Assistant Professor of Bible and the Ancient Near East, is a co-founder of the conference which is poised to become an annual event.
鈥Omnium provides a professional platform for students to engage in original research, participate in academic dialogue, and see their work published,鈥 said Dr. Thierauf. 鈥淚t also serves as a teaching tool for faculty at NCWU and other institutions, with articles reflecting the academic growth of students at every stage of their college careers from first-year composition essays to projects created in senior seminars and honors theses鈥.
The 2025 conference featured nine student presentations, organized into three thematic sessions followed by interactive panel discussions:
- Session 1: From Fact to Fiction, From Fiction to Fact
- Natalie Messer – 鈥Exodus: The Unknown Apocalyptic Text鈥
- Clarence Alexander Sanderford – 鈥淒oomsday on Screen: How Apocalyptic Films Reflect Society鈥檚 Fears鈥
- Maxima Iglesias – 鈥淭he Illusion of Achieving Happiness Without Effort鈥
- Session 2: Challenging Harmful Cultures
- Kya Alston – 鈥淓bonics: Putting Respect to Black Sound鈥
- Shafiq Nuijts – 鈥淲hose Independence? Challenging the Netherlands鈥 Commemorative Culture鈥
- Layali Kasem – 鈥淲eathering the Heights of Withering Critics & Whittling at the Global Theory Industry鈥
- Session 3: Healing Our Communities
- Christian Van Norden – 鈥淩acism in Healthcare: Dissolving Barriers and Seeking Justice鈥
- Anna Hamilton – 鈥淭he Porn Problem: How Widespread Accessibility Harms Mental Health and Social Norms鈥
- Jolyna Sundbom – 鈥淔arm to Fork in Your Community: The Advantages of Sustainable Agriculture鈥
This year鈥檚 keynote address was delivered by Dr. Shannon Crowley, Associate Professor of Public Health and Director of Public Health Program. Her presentation explored the psychological and physiological impacts of movement and exercise.
The 2025 conference marked a new collaboration between Dr. Thierauf and Dr. Shane Thompson, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. Together, they aim to expand mission to highlight the exceptional work being produced by NCWU undergraduates across all disciplines.
The Spring 2025 conference also served as a proof-of-concept for future interdisciplinary research showcases, reinforcing NCWU鈥檚 ongoing commitment to undergraduate academic excellence.
