Big Questions? Bold Answers Honors Research
Transform classroom curiosity into meaningful discovery. When students find topics that spark their interest, they have the opportunity to explore deeper—conducting original research, working closely with faculty mentors, and tackling the complex questions that shape our world.
At PC, Honors Research cultivates critical thinking and prepares students for advanced study and impactful careers. Whether investigating chemical processes, analyzing political systems, developing business strategies, or exploring literature, students gain the skills and confidence to excel in their chosen fields. It’s challenging, rewarding work that opens doors to graduate programs and professional opportunities—while fostering a lifelong commitment to intellectual exploration.
Honors Research
Honors research at PC allows students to engage in hands-on, scholarly exploration that enhances their academic experience. Participating in research projects allows students to work closely with faculty mentors, fostering a deeper understanding of their field of study and developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. This experience is invaluable for students planning to pursue graduate studies or careers in research-intensive fields as it provides a competitive edge and practical knowledge.
Honors Day Symposium
The annual Honors Day Symposium reflects the essence of what we do as a learning community. Held in the spring semester, the event features students’ academic work in the form of presentations, poster sessions, and performances. These culminating experiences demonstrate the impressive academic work that students pursue with faculty mentors in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Pharmacy, and in the Physician Assistant and Occupational Therapy programs.
Honors Convocation & Awards
Honors Day concludes with the Honors Day Convocation, which recognizes the exceptional work of students and faculty members. During the annual event, one student is named Outstanding Senior, while students are also recognized for academic excellence in each academic discipline. College service and community awards recognize students and student groups on campus. Faculty members are recognized as the Professor of the Year and recipient of the Dr. Robert H. Freymeyer Award for Meritorious Scholarship.
Dr. Anita
Gustafson
“PC is known for its academic rigor, and many students soar above and beyond classroom expectations. Involvement in Honors Day is a particularly strong testament to their dedication, focus, and talent.”
William Johnson ’24
William Johnson ’24 and chemistry professor Dr. Latha Gearheart developed Johnson’s Honors Research project when Johnson was a sophomore at PC. The two collaborated for three years, synthesizing biologically friendly nanoparticles of cadmium sulfide. Johnson conducted toxicity studies using yeast as a model organism.
The research allowed Johnson, a biochemistry and history double major, to explore a variety of interests in science since it combined multiple disciplines, namely materials science, physical chemistry, and biochemistry. Now in medical school at MUSC, Johnson presented his findings at the PC Honors Day Symposium his senior year.
Samantha Hauff ’25
Samantha Hauff ’25, a Ukrainian-American senior at Presbyterian College, devoted her capstone project to studying “Chervona Kalyna,” a Ukrainian folk song turned protest anthem amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Raised with strong ties to her heritage through stories, Hauff recognized the importance of folklore in preserving Ukrainian culture and found music to be an especially poignant medium for storytelling.
As she researched, she discovered a powerful video of Andriy Khlyvnyuk, a member of the Ukrainian band BoomBox, singing “Chervona Kalyna” in military attire. This video led her to learn that the song had even inspired Pink Floyd’s reunion after nearly three decades. Working closely with her advisor, Dr. Phillip Perdue, Hauff hopes to publish her analysis, viewing this research as a way to support Ukrainian resilience symbolically. Though she cannot directly impact the conflict, Hauff aims to keep the conversation alive through her work, underscoring music’s role in honoring cultural identity and solidarity.
This powerful research experience helped Hauff secure a prestigious Fulbright grant to teach English in Bulgaria—making her the first PC student to receive this honor in over a decade.
2025
Honors Day Symposium
April 24, 2025
The annual Honors Day Symposium offers all students an opportunity to share the results of their scholarly efforts with the Presbyterian College community.