On Tuesday, April 28, Allegheny College’s Cook-Lahti Scholars Symposium celebrated its tenth anniversary, cementing its role as a leader in undergraduate research. The Symposium honors outstanding scholarship at the end of each academic year.
“To see students present this work now on a stage like this reminds me that this is a unique opportunity that few undergraduate institutions can offer. This tradition wouldn’t be possible without the generous support from President Emeritus Dr. Richard Cook and Teresa Lahti,” says Matthew Venesky, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities.
The symposium’s namesake, President Emeritus Richard J. Cook, was the college’s 20th president and delivered the opening address. His passion for student-faculty mentorship stems from experiencing the transformational impact of his own educators. Since departing in 2008, Cook and Teresa Lahti have remained advocates of the program and other college initiatives.
“It’s a thrill; the fact that this is celebrated and that students and faculty embrace it,” Cook says. “It means that Allegheny’s future is sound, because that’s one of the hallmarks: Allegheny’s student-faculty collaboration.”
Three students were nominated by their respective academic departments to provide brief oral presentations on their Senior Comprehensive Projects at the Keynote Session:
- Kathryn Sorice ’26, psychology major with a minor in community and justice studies
- Bridging Belonging and Access: ADA Compliance and Student Well-Being at Allegheny College
- Nickel Spartz ’26, biochemistry and Spanish double major with a minor in theatre
- Antibiotic Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus: Exploring D-Phe and Scientific Communication as Solutions to a Health Crisis
- Anna Westbrook ’26, environmental science and sustainability major with a minor in political science
- “The stakes could not be higher:” An analysis of strategic state-level tort climate lawsuits
Immediately following the Keynote Session, nearly fifty students presented their work at the Senior Project Poster Symposium, which highlights the work of graduating seniors from across campus. Projects included civic engagement initiatives, internship briefs and summaries of international study experiences.
“At Allegheny College, we not only ask our students to think critically about the topics that they research, but we also ask our students to clearly communicate the outcomes of their scholarship to broad and diverse audiences,” Venesky says.
Allegheny College is ranked 32nd in “Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects” and 36th in “Best Undergraduate Teaching” by the U.S. News & World Report. Find out how to engage with research alongside our nationally recognized faculty.
