Elon names 2017 Lumen Scholars

​Fifteen rising juniors at Elon have been named recipients of the 2017 Lumen Prize, the university’s premier award that comes with a $15,000 scholarship to support and celebrate their academic achievements and research proposals.

Lumen Scholars will work closely with their mentors over the next two years to pursue and complete their projects. Efforts traditionally include course work, study abroad, research both on and off campus, internships locally and overseas, program development, and creative productions and performances.

The name for the Lumen Prize comes from Elon’s historic motto, “Numen Lumen,” which are Latin words meaning “spiritual light” and “intellectual light.” The words, which are found on the Elon University seal, signify the highest purposes of an Elon education.

The 2017 Lumen Prize Winners

Bonnie Bloxom 
Biology/Public Health
Project title: Examining the Jamkhed Model: A Collaborative, Comparative Study of Hypertension in Rural Indian Villages with the Comprehensive Rural Health Project
Mentor: Amanda Tapler

Daniel Cavarretta
Exercise Science
Project title: We Can Do Better: Increasing Rates of Physical Activity Through an In-Depth Exploration of ‘The Pump’
Mentor: Eric Hall

Nick Ciolkowski
Biochemistry
Project title: Synthesis, Characterization, and Bioactivity of Vanadium Based Phosphonate Antibiotic Analogues
Mentor: Jenn Dabrowski

Lucy Crenshaw
Classical Studies and Accounting
Project title: Gods, Myths, and Men: Analyzing Conceptions of Divine in the Ancient Roman World
Mentor: Kristina Meinking

Michael Dryzer
Independent Major in Biophysics BS
Project title: Exploring the Effectiveness of Non-thermal Electroporation on Deactivating C. elegans Eggs in Wastewater
Mentor: Scott Wolter

Josh Ferno
Policy Studies/Sociology
Project title: Public Opinion on Regulatory Policy Affecting the Integration of Autonomous Vehicles
Mentor: Jason Husser

Nathan Hunnicutt 
Middle Grades Education – Concentration: Math – BA
Project title: Toward Interconnected Sustainability Education: A Case Study of Four “Green Schools of Excellence” in North Carolina
Mentor: Scott Morrison

Lucia Jervis 
Journalism and Strategic Communications
Project title: Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Insight of the Children and Adults Who Survived a Natural Disaster
Mentor: David Copeland

Taylor Jones 
Public Health Studies
Project title: Understanding the Impact of Triadic Communication Interactions among Patient, Caregiver, and Health Provider on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Latina Adolescents
Mentor: Stephanie Baker

Lindsey Jordan 
Human Service Studies
Project title: Exploring Grassroots Models of Anti-Poverty Community Organizing Through the Poor People’s Campaign
Mentor: Rebecca Todd Peters

Jaclyn Kanter 
Theatrical Design and Production
Project title: Creating Empathy: How Sensory Stimulation in Theatre Advances Audience Understanding of Holocaust Historiography
Mentor: Susanne Shawyer

Molly Kearns 
Elementary and Special Education
Project title: Correlations Between Female K-5 Teachers’ Math Anxiety and Self-Evaluations of Their Use of Positive Math Practices
Mentor: Erin Hone

Francesca Music 
Public Health
Project title: Fertility Preservation in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: Addressing Disparities Through Community-Based Participatory Research
Mentor: Cindy Fair

Stephanie Ntim 
Public Health Studies
Project title: The Art of Malaria Education in Kwahu-Pepease, Eastern Region of Ghana
Mentor: Katherine Johnson

Meara Waxman 
English
Project title: “Speak I Must!”: Historicizing a Feminist Linguistic Approach to the Bronte Novels
Mentor: Janet Myers

Members of the faculty selection committee for 2016-17: 

Ann Cahill (director)
Wally Bixby
Lauren Kearns
Yuko Miyomoto
Sarah Lentz
Andrew Greenland
Scott Morrison
Christopher Richardson
Lynn Huber
Barbara Miller
Aunchalee Palmquist