Et cetera : Jamie Rich presents race research at BVU Scholars Day

Buena Vista University's (BVU) twelfth annual Scholars Day was held Friday, April 22. The event provided students from all disciplines an opportunity to present their best presentations, original research, academic posters, artistic creations and performances to their peers, professors and the public.

This year's Scholars Day event featured 38 presentations from 66 students, exploring topics from literature and business to science and history.

Jamie Rich, a senior psychology major from Belle Plaine, was one of the students who participated. Rich's presentation was titled The Effect Race Has on College Students' Perceptions of Professor Credibility, and the project's abstract is as follows:

Student perceptions of professors hinges largely on their perceived credibility in the classroom - but does a professor's race have more impact on perceived credibility than his or her actual academic credentials? The purpose of this study was to investigate how college students perceive Latino/Hispanic professors' credibility, compared to a "control" Caucasian professor. Seventy-nine college students completed an online survey in which they were randomly assigned to read one of four professor vitae. The vitae varied in two ways (independent variables): professor race (White or Latino) and academic experience (high or low credibility); this resulted in a 2X2 factorial design. Students then completed the dependent variable, a measure of perceived professor credibility (McCroskey & Teven, 1999). They also completed a variety of personality and prejudice scales.

The keynote speaker for the event was Grant Gerlock, BVU Class of 2004, who is a Harvest Public Media reporter at NET News. Gerlock is recognized as a great storyteller and has visited coal plants, dairy farms, horse tracks and hospitals to cover a variety of stories.

"The students put so much into their research-time, effort, resources-that it becomes a part of them," said Dr. Steven Mills, assistant professor of Spanish and chair of the events committee who organized the event. "As they give their presentations and share their knowledge with the audience, their countenance brightens, their confidence rises, and their eyes light up. What has become a part of their identity flows out with energy and enthusiasm; they feel like they have truly succeeded, and this success can be valuable to others, as well. I have seen every student walk away with a firmer step and a deeper desire to turn his or her academic work into something more."

A photo gallery from the Scholars Day event is available at www.bvu.edu/scholarsday.

About Buena Vista University Founded in 1891, Buena Vista University delivers 40 majors and 15 pre-professional programs that blend liberal arts with real-world experiences, preparing students for lifelong success, especially in the areas of elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. BVU stands behind its students and their degrees with TruePromise, which promises that students will locate a meaningful internship, earn at least one major within four years, and secure a job or entrance to graduate/professional school within six months of graduation. BVU is an affordable option for all students and, combined with its academic programs, has led U.S. News & World Report to rank BVU as the third best value school among Midwest Regional Colleges. Visit www.bvu.edu.

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