Two MVC Students Win Awards at Alpha Chi National Convention

Seven Missouri Valley College students represented the Missouri Sigma chapter of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society at the annual Alpha Chi National Convention April 4-6, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. All seven students presented their scholarly work, with two students earning awards.

At the convention, student presentations, grouped by academic discipline, are adjudicated by faculty advisors attending the convention. Thirty presentation prizes recognizing outstanding research and creative entries, and more than twenty scholarships supporting undergraduate and graduate study, are awarded at the culminating session of the convention.

Léa Filali, senior management-administration and marketing double major and English minor from Brussels, Belgium won the Ann Kneavel Prize in Economics for her paper, “Traditional or Low-Cost Airlines: Missouri Valley College International Undergraduate Students’ Preferences for Transatlantic Flights.”

Kayleigh Barnes, senior non-profit management-human services major and English and intercultural communications double minor from Murfreesboro, Tennessee was one of ten recipients nationally to win the competitive Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship to support her final year of undergraduate study. Barnes also presented a paper at the conference, “The Effectiveness of Nonprofits: Comparing the 1950s to Today.”

In addition,

• Roman Allou-Tognan, senior computer information systems and economics major from Paris, France, and Anthony Lagrin, senior finance and economics major from Guadeloupe, France, co-presented a paper, “Implementation of Blockchain Technology in African Society.”

• John Brock, senior exercise science major and business minor from Kansas City, Missouri, presented a paper, “Effects of Static Stretching Compared to Foam Rolling on Vertical Jump Performance.”

• Kimberley Ndlovu, senior biology major and chemistry and forensic science minor from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, presented a poster, “Effects of Water Quality on Unique Darter Species of Central Missouri.”

• Eloise Riché, senior visual art major from Normandy, France, presented her artwork, “Let’s Dream a Little.”

Dr. Christopher Libby, associate professor of religion and philosophy, and Dr. Andrew Linsenbardt, assistant professor of biology, serve as the official Alpha Chi chapter sponsors at Missouri Valley College. Chapter sponsors are instrumental in mentoring student members, including preparing them for presentation at national conventions. At the Cleveland convention, Dr. Libby and Dr. Linsenbardt both served as judges for student papers and presentations in their respective academic disciplines.

Alpha Chi National College Honor Society invites membership to juniors, seniors and graduate students from all disciplines in the top ten percent of their class. Active on nearly 300 campuses nationwide, Alpha Chi is a member in good standing of the Association of College Honor Societies, the only national accrediting body for honor societies.