2025 Student Showcase Features Projects Spanning Several Disciplines
The University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma’s 2025 Student Showcase is set for Thursday, April 10 from 4-6 p.m. inside the Student Center’s Ballroom.
The showcase will host USAO students’ original projects spanning several disciplines, subjects and creative paths. Dr. Josh Hakala, assistant professor biology and chair of the Student Showcase, helped re-establish the annual event in 2024 after a four-year hiatus due to Covid.
“We are excited to hold the Student Showcase for the second time since the pandemic," Hakala said. "This event is a venue to display our students’ exemplary works and interact professionally with the campus community."
All presenters were nominated by a faculty member. During the showcase, spectators will be able to visit displayed works and speak with each presenter about their projects, a full list of which can be found here.
Four individuals will present three projects on the ballroom’s stage. Through his involvement with the Oklahoma Blood Institute, Harry Cracknell gathered data on what motivates or deters students from donating blood and will present research that he hopes will assist USAO in facilitating more donations during campus drives.
Matija Malenovic and Leonardo Schneider developed MyMealPlan, an app that allows students to track their campus dining activity, monitor flex dollar balances and remaining meal swipes, and adjust their meal plan choice.
Tylan Hamilton will present his paper exploring humans’ psychological response to the fear of dying and on how one’s philosophical response and behavioral patterns can provide purpose that transcends the anticipation of death.
“It was really cool to see all of the diverse projects people were working on [last year]. We had art projects. We had Halli Humphrey’s psychology oral presentation. There was one about history. There were many science posters,” said Cracknell, who also serves as president of the Student Government Association. “I think to see all of the different disciplines on display on Thursday is going to be really cool.”
About the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
As Oklahoma’s liberal arts college, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma provides a distinctive education in the liberal arts and sciences, supporting both its interdisciplinary core curriculum and major fields of study with superior teaching. USAO fosters diversity of thought and practice to help students realize meaningful, purposeful and productive lives as global citizens in a rapidly-changing world.