Members of Gardner-Webb Alpha Chi Participate in Virtual National Convention

Rising Senior Grace Burgin Awarded Region III Scholarship

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University Alpha Chi members recently participated in the National Convention, which was held virtually this year. Rising senior Grace Burgin, of Iron Station, N.C., was awarded a Region III scholarship. A biology major, Burgin presented a paper that examined how fetal nutrition and development are affected by a mother’s participation in fad diets. She conducted her research through the GWU Summer Undergraduate Research Scholar program.

Also participating in the online event were:

• Samantha Wilkie, of Hendersonville, a senior English major, who presented a paper.
• Ysabela Cable, of Nebo, N.C., a senior criminal justice administration major with a minor in business administration.
• Jasmine Dee, of Dallas, N.C., a May 2021 graduate with degrees in psychology and sociology.
• Haley Pierce, of Jamestown, N.C., a senior biology major.   

The convention theme was “… And Justice for All.” For the virtual format, presenters pre-recorded their speeches. Burgin noted that while it was less pressure than presenting live, there was still a learning curve. “I could—and I did—record my presentation multiple times to get it right,” she said. “Through those several takes, however, I learned not to be so hard on myself and that it’s OK not to be perfect.”

Burgin, Cable, Dee and Pierce also researched and prepared a collaborative project with Burgin serving as team leader. The title was “Reproductive Health Care Injustices Against African American Women in the United States: Legal History and the Modern Effects on Clinical Outcomes and Mental Health.”

Cable said the topic appealed to her and the group because of the many issues of racial injustice in 2020 and 2021. “I felt like it would be a good topic to write about and inform not only others, but myself as well,” she observed. “In my section (of the research), I found there have been many laws made to discriminate against African American women’s rights to health care. There are also cases to show this as well, such as the Fannie Lou Hamer case.”

Fannie Lou Townsend Hamer, who grew up in the Mississippi Delta, was a powerful voice in the civil and voting rights movements and a leader in the efforts for greater economic opportunities for African Americans. In 1961, Hamer received a hysterectomy by a white doctor without her consent while undergoing surgery to remove a uterine tumor.

The group worked on their project for three months, and both Cable and Burgin said the experience improved their skills in collaboration, organization, research, and team management. “I think it’s good practice for the real world, where each of us will have to be part of a team in our respective careers,” Burgin elaborated.

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About Alpha Chi

Alpha Chi is a national collegiate honor society that recognizes and promotes academic excellence among college and university students of all disciplines. Region III encompasses more than 85 chapters in Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

About Gardner-Webb University

Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.