Tag: hper

Sanderson Hall on Langston Campus

Faculty research panel encourages students to get involved with research, provides insights for next steps

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by Ellie Melero

Six Langston University faculty researchers from various departments came together to share their research and graduate school experiences with students during a discussion panel on Nov. 11, encouraging students to get involved with undergraduate research and providing insights on how to do so.

“It was just an opportunity for us to let (students) know that we also go through these different steps,” said Dr. Desmond Delk, the coordinator and moderator for the event. “They, too, can do it, and we’re resources for them. And really, the main thing is to also get them interested in research and let them know how research looks different.”

Dr. Delk, the chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER), brought together faculty with a variety of research interests for the “Scholarly Works in Progress: An Early Career Perspective” research panel. Dr. Chukwuebuka Ezeakacha, the director of LU choral activities; Dr. Lindsey Davis, the chair of the Department of Chemistry; Yaisa Mann, a professor in the Department of English; Dr. Brittany Mays, a professor in the HPER Department; Dr. Emisha Maytubby, the chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; and Alexis Montague, a professor in the Department of Public Health, all participated in the panel.

The panelists talked to students about their educational and research backgrounds, which covered topics ranging from sub-Saharan African music to infectious diseases. The faculty members discussed why they chose to pursue their areas of study and research interests, some of the challenges they’ve had to overcome while conducting research, and then answered student questions about research.

Junior biology major Kiaorie Stewart-Ricks already has some experience conducting research thanks to an internship he had this past summer, and he plans to continue pursuing research as he works toward his goal of becoming a sports physician. He was excited for a chance to listen to the LU faculty’s stories, especially those who are themselves LU alumni.

“I wanted to just come see my fellow researchers that are alums of Langston (University) and see what their challenges were doing research and the things they went through,” Stewart-Ricks said. “I thought maybe I could get some insight through their challenges.”

Providing students insight into life as a researcher was part of Dr. Delk’s goal when he coordinated the event. He wanted to give students a chance to learn about what LU’s faculty do outside of class, and he hoped they could inspire some of the students to get involved with research early.

Cynsere Boyd, a senior public health major with a minor in corrections, came to the event because she hoped to hear some advice about how to manage research and school. Like Stewart-Ricks, she enjoyed listening to the faculty members’ stories, and she appreciated the advice they shared regarding mentors and peer collaboration.

“I think the panel was a great opportunity to show us how we can make it through college and find other routes for grad (school) and figure out how to make connections with different peers,” Boyd said.

As an 1890 land-grant institution, Langston University takes pride in the high-quality research conducted at all three campuses, and there are countless ways for students of any year or major to get involved with research during their time at LU. Scores of students attended the mid-day panel, proving that research is a big draw for many students.

Dr. Delk made sure to take advantage of the time they had with students to not only share the panelists’ research, but also to share summer research internship opportunities. Many students expressed appreciation for this addition as well as for the advice the faculty shared.

“I think it went well,” Dr. Delk said. “The faculty members gave some great insight. Some of the students had some good questions. We connected them to resources, summer programs, we gave them access to some of our own personal publications.

“So, I’m encouraging students to ask questions, connect with people, and just dive into this idea of research.”

LU students, faculty pose with Dr Ruth Ray Jackson on the tennis courts

PRESIDENT JACKSON, LUAHPERD USE PICKLEBALL TO HELP STUDENTS DESTRESS BEFORE MIDTERMS

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by Ellie Melero, Media Relations Specialist

LANGSTON, Okla. – Students running around, laughing and having fun while their university’s president teaches them how to play pickleball is probably not what you’d expect to see on a college campus gearing up for midterms, but that’s what awaited any who made their way to the university tennis courts on Friday afternoon.

Langston University’s Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (LUAHPERD) and the ROARS Peer Educators held a “Cruising Into Midterms” event on Friday, which featured bike riding, pickup basketball and Pickleball with the President. The event was open to all students, and many took a break from studying to come hang out with their friends and decompress as they prepared for midterms.

“One of the priorities of the year is programming,” said Interim President Ruth Ray Jackson. “So, I’m very excited to see the HPER clubs adding programming to support good health and destressing for our students as they prepare for midterm exams.”

President Jackson encouraged everyone who came to pick up a paddle and hit the court, and many students were more than happy to learn a new sport from their president. Others preferred to ride bikes with their friends, and some just wanted to relax in the fresh air. Everyone who came was happy for a chance to get out of their rooms and stretch their legs before the grind of midterms fully began.

Kyara Swanson, a senior physical education major, said she thought the event was a fun way to relax, clear her mind and shake off some nerves as she prepared for her upcoming exams.

“Just simply riding the bikes or doing anything physical, it helps with your mental health,” Swanson said. “It helps you just clear your mind sometimes. You know, you’re in college and sometimes you just need a break.”

Giving students a break was the entire idea behind Cruising Into Midterms.

Dr. Desmond Delk, the chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and one of the faculty advisors for LUAHPERD, said the goal of the event was to remind people to take care of their mental and physical health because doing so will help them succeed in their classes.

“We’re prioritizing mental health, we’re prioritizing physical activity, and we’re encouraging collaboration between our faculty, staff and students,” Dr. Delk said. “I really commend the students on organizing everything, promoting the activity and really just coming out and enjoying themselves.”

The event lasted two hours, and President Jackson was there the whole time, playing pickleball and getting to know the students. Laughs could be heard on and off the court, and many students were happy for an opportunity to spend time with their president and their peers.

“I have had a blast sharing my love of pickleball with our Langston University students,” President Jackson said. “I’m excited that there’s great interest, and perhaps in the future we can add this as part of our recreational programming.”