Falvey Memorial Library, the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships and the Honors Program proudly joined forces once again to co-sponsor the 14^th annual Falvey Scholars Awards Presentation and Reception Ceremony on Friday, April 22, 2016 in Falvey Memorial Library. The Falvey Scholars Awards Program recognizes and celebrates the academic excellence of some of Villanova’s most exceptional undergraduate scholars. This year’s event honored five Falvey Scholars under each of the following categories: liberal arts, sciences, nursing, business and engineering.

The event began at 9:00 a.m. with gathering and light refreshments. Shortly thereafter, University Librarian Millicent Gaskell, Director of Falvey Memorial Library, opened up the program and invited University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD, to formally welcome attendees. Gaskell, who acted as event emcee and award presenter throughout the program, then invited the faculty mentors and student award-winners up one-by-one to present projects.

(Front row, from left to right) Thomas Cox, Tara Malanga, Chloe DeEntremont, Molly Purnell, Meghan Barker; (back row, from left to right) Catherine Stecyk, assistant director for Undergraduate Research, Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD, University provost; Millicent Gaskell, director of Falvey Memorial Library and University librarian

Presentations by 2016 Falvey Scholars:

Tara Malanga, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Title: “Does Nitrogen Addition Irreversibly Alter Soil Microbial Community Composition and Function?”
Mentor: Adam Langley, PhD

Chloe DeEntremont, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Title: “Patriarchally Ever After?: Disney’s Perpetration of Male Dominance through Animals Sidekicks’ Interactions with Princesses and Princes”
Mentors: Sherry Bowen, PhD, and Heidi Rose, PhD

Molly Purnell, College of Nursing

Title: “The Intergenerational Cycle of Obesity: Nursing Implications and Interventions
Mentor: Meredith MacKenzie, PhD

Meghan Barker, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Title: “Bumptious Bodies: Analyzing Pregnant Space in Contemporary Artwork”
Mentors: Sherry Bowen, PhD; Maghan Keita, PhD; and Timothy McCall, PhD

Thomas Cox, Villanova School of Business/College of Engineering

Title: “Measuring the Adoption and Deployment Rates of Disruptive Technologies”
Mentor: Stephen Andriole, PhD

After each individual presentation and Q&A session, Gaskell presented the scholars with a Falvey Scholar award.

At the conclusion of the event, University President, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS gave closing remarks. Personally addressing the scholars, he remarked, “The work and research that you do has the power to change lives.” Father Donohue went on to say that “This [academic excellence] is what Villanova University is all about. There is no doubt that these students will change the world.”

The Falvey Scholars program is one of the keynote events that is included in the Spring Undergraduate Research Exposition, or EXPO ‘16: a week-long series of programs that recognize the work that Villanova’s undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty accomplish throughout the year. Falvey is proud to help highlight the contributions of the Villanova community with its Falvey Scholars Program!