By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News
PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University honors students presented research at the 6th Annual C.S. Lewis Honors Forum, April 11.
Ten students presented at this year’s forum.
“It is a privilege to see our C. S. Lewis Honors Students’ projects come to a fruitful conclusion at the C. S. Lewis Honors Forum,” said Sarah Payne, director of the C.S. Lewis Honors Program. “I continue to be impressed with the students and their dedication to academic excellence and growth in their chosen fields.”
Sarah Grace Becker, a senior elementary education major from Springtown, Texas, presented “The Think Aloud Strategy: Modeling Thoughts in 4th Grade ELA.”
The goal of Becker’s research was to assess the effectiveness of the think-aloud strategy for elementary students in both large and small groups during lessons about finding evidence and matching claims to evidence.
Becker’s immediate plan after graduation is to teach elementary school.
Samuel Hair, a senior public relations major from Sulphur, presented “Phantom Terror: How a Public Relations Meltdown Turned Three Mile Island into a Disaster.”
Hair’s research examined the 1979 mechanical failure at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant and how communications failures turned a simple mechanical failure that cost millions of dollars, but no human lives into an event which appeared to have the magnitude of the Chernobyl disaster.
He plans to pursue a Master of Divinity after graduation and enter pastoral ministry.
Aevin Howard, a senior applied biology major from West Monroe, presented “The Effects of TENS on Reaction Time and Proprioception.”
The purpose of Howard’s study was to determine whether using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation before testing would change reaction time or elbow joint position sense in healthy college students.
He plans to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Harding University after graduation with the goal of becoming a physical therapist specializing in pediatrics and neurorehabilitation.
Ainslee Newell Howard is a senior social work major from Bastrop who is completing her field internship with CHRISTUS Hospice in Alexandria.
Caroline LeBlanc Johnson, an expected December 2026 graduate, from West Monroe, is a social work major.
Their combined research “Compassion in Action: Using the Planned Change Process to Address Domestic Violence” implemented in interdisciplinary, service-learning project to address a macro-level community need.
Preliminary research identified a need for increased dating and domestic violence awareness and resources in Central Louisiana, prompting students to partner with Faith House, a domestic violence shelter. Once the shelter’s needs were assessed, students collaborated with 13 local churches and held an on-campus educational event targeting students to collect donations. Students collected a total of 1,779 donated items. The project demonstrated the value of structured macro-practice models, provided an experiential learning opportunity for students, increased community awareness of dating and domestic violence and supplied essential resources for survivors served by Faith House.
Howard plans to attend LCU’s Master of Social Work program and pursue licensure, with a particular interest in serving the older adult population. Johnson also plans to earn her Master of Social Work at LCU post-graduation.
Laura Miller, a senior biological science major from Church Point, presented “Mortality After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Fracture: The Influence of Comorbidity and Socioeconomic Status.”
Her retrospective cohort study included 60 patients who underwent RTSA with either cemented or uncemented humeral implants to analyze how comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, and factors, such as socioeconomic status, may play a role in health outcomes.
Miller will begin medical school this fall at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe.
Will Patton, a senior biological sciences major from Bossier City, presented “Learning Anatomy with Cadavers: A Comparative Study.”
This study sought to compare the ability of students to learn anatomy using two methods of instruction:
PowerPoint and Anatomage cadavers. He analyzed data from 18 students, divided into two groups, to determine if one method of learning produced better learning outcomes.
Patton plans to attend Louisiana State University Health in Shreveport for medical school.
Kylee VanHoof DuBois, of Pineville, will graduate in May with a degree in biological sciences.
Gavin Vordick is a senior biological sciences major from Schriever.
They presented “Amino and Nitric Oxide Infusion into the Cardiopulmonary Bypass Machine: Effects on Renal Function.”
Acute kidney injury remains a significant risk in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Prior research has demonstrated that amino acid supplementation and nitric oxide infusion independently contribute to renal protection. Their study investigated the combined administration of amino acids and nitric oxide within the CPB circuit to enhance protective effects against AKI.
After graduation, DuBois will attend medical school at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe. Vordick plans to pursue his MBA at LCU before attending medical school.
Harrison Waxley, a senior psychology major from Bossier City, presented “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Biblical Counseling Regarding Marital Therapy.”
His research explored people’s experiences, thoughts, emotions and opinions regarding biblical vs. secular marital therapy. The goal was to compare the two forms of therapy to determine if one was more effective at repairing broken or stagnant marriages.
After graduation, Waxley plans to attend Northwestern State University’s master’s program for counseling with the intention of becoming a licensed professional counselor.
What a powerful reminder of the Wildcat spirit at its best,” said LCU President Dr. Mark Johnson. “Our seniors have demonstrated not only excellence in their work, but a deep commitment to a biblical and theological foundation. What is most encouraging, for me, is not just what they have accomplished, but who they are becoming, men and women prepared to carry out our mission to worship intentionally, learn diligently, steward faithfully, and lead courageously. Their work reflects thoughtful scholarship, faithful stewardship, and a clear sense of calling. I am so proud of them all.”
The C.S. Lewis Honors Program at Louisiana Christian University is an interdisciplinary program that is designed for students who perform at the highest academic standards. Its small, seminar-style courses focus on integrating faith and learning through writing, discussion, service learning and travel. Students enter during their freshman year and complete the honors curriculum as a cohort.
The purpose of the Honors Program is to further Louisiana Christian University’s mission of equipping undergraduate and graduate students to worship intentionally, learn diligently, steward faithfully and lead courageously.
The Honors Program fulfills this purpose by providing an honors experience integrated throughout the core liberal arts curriculum, supplemented by honors colloquia, and one division- specific experience-based course that is contracted with individual faculty, culminating in a C. S. Lewis Honors Program Forum.
