Central College recognized the Honors students who recently presented capstone projects completed during the Spring 2026 semester.
Valerie Billing, associate professor of English and faculty director of Central’s honors program, welcomed faculty and students to the presentations on Thursday, April 23. Each of these young scholars produced large-scale research or a creative project that took at least a year to complete. While honors students work closely with a faculty mentor, most of the effort stems from independent research. This effort involves hours spent reading books, contemplating primary texts, collecting and analyzing data or practicing an instrument while researching its historical techniques.
Six seniors were recognized during the program and presented with a medallion.
Grace Benson, English major from Newton, Iowa, presented “Reapproaching Immigration Politics: An Analysis of Javier Zamora’s Unaccompanied and Solito.” Her advisor and first thesis reader was Billing, and the second reader was Elena Vishnevskaya, professor of religion.
Madison Craig, biology major from Solon, Iowa, presented “Soil Carbon and Extractable Iron Across Depths in Restored Prairie and Agricultural Soils.” Her advisor and first thesis reader was James Dunne, associate professor of chemistry, and the second reader was Anya Butt, professor of biology.
Katelyn Freeman, economics, Spanish and mathematics major from Castle Rock, Colorado, presented “Analyzing the Determinants of Success for Olympic Triathletes.” Her advisor and first thesis reader was Tuan Nguyen, associate professor of economics, and the second reader was Mark Mills, professor of mathematics.
Hannah Reynolds, biology major from Burlington, Iowa, presented “Improving Molecular Protocols for Reliable DNA Barcoding for Species Identification of Native Bees.” Her advisor and first thesis reader was Paulina Mena, Ruth and Marvin Denekas Endowed Chair in Science and Humanities and professor of biology, and the second reader was Russ Benedict, professor of biology.
Nathan Smith, biology and biochemistry major from Cedar Falls, Iowa, presented “SNAr of Quinone Activated Haloarnes.” His advisor and first thesis reader was Jay Wackerly, associate professor of chemistry, and second reader was James Dunne, associate professor of chemistry.
Lauryn Venema, history major from East Amana, Iowa, presented “Perspectives on Women in Power: Contemporary and Historiographical Accounts of Empress Catherine the Great, Queen Ranavalona I, and Empress Dowager Cixi.” Her advisor and first thesis reader was Lori Witt, associate professor of history, and the second reader was Timothy Olin, associate professor of history.
Billing closed by highlighting the students’ commitment, “These students stand out. They’re top scholars and high achievers — critical thinkers and creators who bring the work ethic, curiosity and drive needed to take on a project of this scale and see it through.”
Photo caption: Six Central students were recognized during their honors thesis presentations. Representing the Class of 2026, from left, were Hannah Reynolds, Madison Craig, Grace Benson, Katelyn Freeman, Nathan Smith and Lauryn Venema.
