Catawba College’s Kathleen Burris and Ekaterina Kruglov have been named to receive Alpha Chi national fellowships and scholarships. Taylor Spillman was also awarded an Alpha Chi Region III scholarship.

Alpha Chi is the national college honor society, and Catawba College has 26 members.

In order to compete for scholarships, students must submit an academic project. More than 130 undergraduates applied for these competitive scholarships which amount to more than $60,000.

Burris, of Mount Pleasant, a junior double-major in psychology and sociology, was awarded one of two Edwin W. Gaston Scholarships, the most prestigious scholarship the society gives to a rising senior.

Burris’ project was titled “How Does Fitness Priming Influence Self- and Other-Judgments of Personal and Physical Characteristics?” Dr. Sheila Brownlow, professor and chair of psychology, advised Burris.

Burris began her experiment a year ago in her experimental psychology course. The project initially focused on men’s body image only, but during the summer of 2014, Burris decided to expand her research to include women.

Burris says that this project taught her how to design and conduct an ethical, real-world experiment. She further credits the project with helping her become a better writer overall, including both finding and interpreting others’ results, and preparing her own manuscript.

Most importantly, she says, “I have learned that nothing great comes that easy.”

Kruglov, of Karmiel, Israel, a senior psychology and mathematics double major, is the recipient of one of 10 H. Y. Benedict Fellowships. These fellowships are awarded to graduating seniors and must be applied to graduate study.

Kruglov’s project, “The Influence of Ego Depletion on Self-Enhancement Strategies” was also advised by Brownlow.

Her project grew out of research she conducted in social psychology during the fall of 2014.

“This project enriched my knowledge in multiple areas,” she said.

In addition to specific knowledge about ego depletion, Kruglov says she learned to conduct and present scientific research as a member of a team. This, she says, requires effective communication and trusting one another.

After graduating from Catawba, Kruglov plans to attend graduate school in applied mathematics. While at Catawba, she has served as president of the Alpha Chi Chapter and was a member of the college swimming team.

Both Kruglov and Burris credit Brownlow with being a supportive mentor who assisted them with every aspect of their projects.

“Dr. Brownlow has a genuine passion for her work and goes above and beyond for her students,” Burris said.

Spillman, of Boonville, a junior biology major, won an Alpha Chi Region III scholarship. These scholarships, which are awarded by a regional organization within Alpha Chi, are open only to students whose chapters fall within the region. In addition, students must submit a project and present it at the Alpha Chi National Convention.

Spillman began working on her project, “An Isotopic and Molecular Study of Mycoheterotrophy in the Southern Blue Thread (Burmannia capitata)” during her first year at Catawba.

“I became a biology department work study student as soon as I entered Catawba as a freshman,” she said. “Dr. (Jay) Bolin, my advisor, asked me if I was interested in doing independent research soon after that.”

The research was so interesting, and the mentoring she received from Bolin so good, that she continued to pursue it through her junior year.

Three additional Catawba students attended the Alpha Chi National Convention where they presented their original research.

Junior Kyle Mechling, of Quinton, Virginia, a junior double major in physical education and Spanish, presented a poster which summarized his mixed-methods research project titled “College weight change: the perception of upperclassmen on their weight change from freshman year.” The project was advised by Professor Carrie Graham.

Senior Andrew McCollister, of Rockwell, read, “Bathroom,” an excerpt from his memoir “A Fish Flew out of the Water.”

McCollister is an English writing major who was advised by Dr. Forrest Anderson.

Senior Darby Reedy, of Reading, Pennsylvania, presented her project, “We Win and Lose Together: NASCAR Fan Identification and Its Implication for Sponsorship.” Reedy is an English writing major, and her project advisor is Dr. Margy Stahr.

The Catawba College chapter of Alpha Chi is advised by Stahr, associate professor of English and Writing Center director. The chapter has earned the Star Award for being particularly active among chapters for 18 out of the last 19 years.