WILSON, N.C. — April 24, 2025 — Barton College is proud to present its 18th Annual Day of Scholarship and Engagement on Monday, April 28. This signature academic event celebrates the vibrant intellectual community at Barton and highlights the dynamic contributions of students, faculty, and staff.
This year’s theme, “Frontiers of Learning: Inquiry, Innovation, and Impact,” explores how emerging technologies are reshaping education. From 4 to 5 p.m. in the Willis N. Hackney Library, a virtual reality showcase and closing reception will feature immersive student projects that enrich the teaching of literature and nursing.
“Virtual reality connects disciplines and enhances hands-on learning—it bridges real-world experiences to the theoretical,” shared Dr. Douglas N. Searcy, president of Barton College. “By utilizing this technology, we can foster deeper connections between students, faculty, and the broader community as well as create authentic interactions that transcend the traditional classroom.”
Featured work includes “Gawain and the Green Knight: The VR Experience” by Caleb Bullock, Brigette Sander, Monica Shaver, and Andre Williams, mentored by Dr. Lydia Walker, and “Virtual Care: Enhancing Nursing Education with AI-Powered VR” by Nyvea Tatum and Ashlee Capizzi, mentored by Leslie Pittman.
The Day of Scholarship and Engagement kicks off at 9 a.m. with the Plenary Session in Howard Chapel on Barton’s campus. Dr. Kevin N. Pennington will open the event with a welcome address, followed by keynote speaker Malinda Smith, Class of 2020, who will share her journey in a speech titled “Redirection, Resilience, and Research: My Barton Story.”
The morning proceeds with a Poster Session in the Willis N. Hackney Library Commons from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Attendees are invited to explore student research summarized in poster displays and engage in discussion with student scholars about their work.
A campuswide lunch will be served on Center Campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., allowing attendees to enjoy a mid-day break and connect with others. During this time, the Junior and Senior Art Exhibition will be on display in the North Corridor of the Case Art Building from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. This exhibit celebrates the artistic achievements of upper-level students through original works that reflect their creativity, technique, and personal vision.
Lecture sessions take place in Hines Hall from 12:30 to 3:50 p.m., showcasing student and faculty research across a variety of disciplines. Additional details about session topics and presenters are available at https://www.barton.edu/day-of-scholarship/.
The celebration of student scholarship continues Friday, May 2, with “Spoken Word and Student-Produced Works” presented in the Kennedy Family Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
About the Keynote Speaker —
Malinda Smith is a Family Support Coordinator at HonorBridge and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate. She holds a Master of Social Work from Tulane University (2023) and earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and Psychology, along with a minor in Honors Research, from Barton College in 2020.
Smith is a member of Phi Alpha and Alpha Chi national honor societies, Psi Chi International Honor Society, and Delta Zeta sorority. During her time at Barton College, she presented research on empathy, morality, and delay of gratification at both Barton College and West Virginia University.
With five years of experience in foster care and adoptions, hospice, and organ procurement, Smith currently supports families through the donation process at HonorBridge and will transition to an outpatient therapist role in May.
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