By: Rachael Jackson Campus Life Editor
The 11th annual Academic Excellence Showcase took place this year with over 300 presentations and a total of 390 students presenting.
The showcase gives students a chance to produce professional presentations while giving other students a chance to explore the scholarships of various departments across campus.
Alex Kampstra, senior medicinal chemistry major, was excited to share the information he and his partner found on Vyvanse, a new drug for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
His presentation, titled “The Unique Metabolism of Lisdexamfetamine (AKA Vyvanse),” attempted to demystify the drug.
“I liked informing everyone on this new drug, because people struggle with this condition. It is nice to get more information out there to people who need it,” Kampstra said.
His partner, Brian Hauenstein, senior medicinal chemistry major, was grateful for all the positive feedback.
“Seeing the response from people that genuinely care about this information, and didn’t have access to it, was great. You look on the internet and there is a lot of misinformation on how it works.”
Kwon Su, senior sociology major, shared his feelings on presenting his thesis about the availability of housing for homeless in the Salem area. The worst parts of presenting, in his opinion, were the nerves and stage fright.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, your heart is going to race when you get up there.”
However, the best part was the work he produced for his research project.
“I was able to show my work and show what I have done, and express people’s story. I showed what some people have endured, and yeah, that’s something,” Su said.
Derek Planell, an undeclared freshman, discussed using AES as a way to explore topics he is already interested in, but also using it as a way to find other possible majors.
“A lot of students, like myself, are undecided, and are looking around seeing what’s up,” Planell said. “It motivates kids to get out and get some easy extra credit. They go out and get to see more and dive in more, and hopefully that guides them a bit.”
Contact the author at rjackson13@wou.edu or on Twitter @rachaelyjackson.
