Academics

By DJ Humphreys; editorial contributions by Emarie Bailey and Roni Bailey For the first time, Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) turned its campus into a full-scale academic conference presented entirely by its students. Instead of attending classes, students filled hallways, classrooms, and presentation spaces with research, creative work, and ideas they have been developing throughout the semester. The first-ever Undergraduate Student Showcase (USS) transformed campus into a space where students were not just learning. They were leading. The event, themed “Many Disciplines, One Community,” brought together students from a wide range of majors to present original research, creative projects, and experiential work in a conference-style setting. From science and psychology to art and creative writing, the showcase highlighted the depth and diversity of student work across campus. Students and faculty moved from room to room throughout the day, attending presentations and engaging with projects that reflected months, and in some cases years, of work. One of those students was Katen Wall, a creative writing major, who presented a piece titled “Exploration of Faith and Hope through Poetry.” “I’m most excited about getting to hear from my classmates,” Wall said. “There are some people presenting who I know pretty well, but I don’t know much of anything about what they’re studying and putting their time into.” While her presentation was part of a capstone requirement, her connection to the work went deeper. “Even if it weren’t a requirement, I would choose poetry because it’s one of the things I am most comfortable with in the world,” Wall said. “I’m happy with my poems, and I’m excited to share some of them.” Across campus, that same sense of passion showed up in a wide range of topics. Some students explored social issues, including the effects of discrimination on young women, breaking down complex ideas into engaging and accessible presentations. Others examined modern topics such as the impact of online games on students, combining research with real-world relevance. There were also projects focused on psychology and human development, including research on adverse childhood experiences and therapeutic interventions, showing how classroom learning connects directly to real-life challenges. Beyond the individual projects, what stood out most was the atmosphere. Students were explaining their work, answering questions, and engaging in real conversations. The Showcase created an environment where learning felt active and shared, giving students the opportunity to step into the role of presenter, researcher, and expert. As the day continued, top projects were recognized during the showcase’s awards segment, highlighting outstanding work across multiple disciplines. Organizers, including members of the USS Committee and faculty such as Dr. Mali Hubert, played a key role in bringing the event to life and creating an opportunity for students to showcase their work in a meaningful way.

By Emarie Bailey, editing by Lexie Lee On March 29, 2026, seven students, two alumni, and three professors all from Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) made their way to New Orleans, Louisiana for the Sigma Tau Delta English Convention. Once the participants arrived, they quickly received their badges of recognition and set off to find their rooms at the Hyatt Regency, where the convention was held. In the following days, student participants would present their original pieces, both critical and creative. The presenting schedule for TWU students went as follows: “My favorite part of the trip was getting to explore New Orleans with my friends,” said Jadyn Jones, a presenter from TWU. “My favorite part of the convention was supporting my peers as they presented their pieces.” “My favorite part of the convention was getting to hear from students across the country about topics that were meaningful to them,” said Carson Blevins, a TWU attendee. “My favorite part of the trip was walking around the French Quarter getting to see all of the art and beauty that surrounds the city.” “My favorite part of the trip was getting to explore the streets of New Orleans and experience the food, music, and art,” said Tatum Ward, a TWU alumnus. “My favorite part of the convention, as a four-time attendee, is always getting to hang out with other likeminded people who value education and learning.” “My favorite part of the trip has been seeing you all form a community and enjoy new experiences together. Learning to navigate a city that is new for a lot of students is a kind of adventure, and the memories made on such adventures can last a lifetime,” said Professor William Murray from TWU. “As for the convention itself, it is always wonderful to see our students shine on a national stage. Coming to a convention like this allows [professors] to join in and add our voices to conversations, both critical and creative, that extend throughout the United States. It is truly a great thing both to see TWU students excel on this stage and to see how our students support one another by showing up to sessions and asking excellent questions.” Support for not only TWU, but for Southern Tennessee as a whole, was shown by the presenters from the Athens campus. We are proud of all of you!

By Dontae Campbell. Edited by Emma Stratton. Multimedia journalism students at Tennessee Wesleyan University find that toxicity in online video games is causing a negative effect on players and their communication. Online gaming is an outlet for communication between diverse communities and allows for unfiltered speech, diversity of thought, and a range of expression. This freedom of speech allows toxicity to build, which can have negative effects on players. Toxicity is defined as something that is harmful or unpleasant in an insidious way. To have unfiltered communication, online gaming companies introduced, in the late 1990s, the ability to communicate with teammates in-game with “Party chat” or “Proximity chat.” In the article “Toxic Behaviors in Online Multiplayer Games” it states, “Research shows that anonymity contributes to an aggressive culture in online gaming” (Zsila 2).  For example, “a scenario in which a player tells a teammate in a multiplayer video game who is not playing well to “get the [expletive] out of here if you don’t know how to play!” Toxicity in online video games common, with “43% [of players] reported being purely victims of other players’ toxicity, and a considerable proportion of individuals (66%) reported that they had personal involvement in toxic behaviors in the past year” (Zsila 2).  Individuals who are affected by the toxicity of online gaming often experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. As stated in the article “Toxic Behaviors in Online Multiplayer Games,” the growth of online gaming has spiked a rise in negative effects that decrease the psychological well-being of players (Zsila 1). College students often experience stress and anxiety from busy schedules and use online games as an outlet for relaxation. However, the toxicity in online gaming can negatively impact the mental health of students.  In conclusion, the rise of online gaming also brought forth considerable negative effects for individuals and their respective communities. Online gaming, introducing the ability of anonymity, gave players freedom that negatively affects others. It is important to involve yourself with supportive player communities, so you may benefit from your experience and not fall victim to the darker side of gaming. Sources Zsila, Ágnes, et al. “Toxic behaviors in online multiplayer games: Prevalence, perception, risk factors of victimization, and psychological consequences.” Aggressive Behavior, vol. 48, no. 3, 3 Feb. 2022, pp. 356–364, https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.22023. Sherrick, Brett, et al. “How voice chat, cooperativeness, and competitiveness impact prosocial and antisocial norms in multiplayer online video games.” Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, vol. 70, no. 1, 22 Dec. 2025, pp. 38–54, https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2025.2603246. Contributor: Ethan Kline