ABERDEEN, S.D.?– Northern State University students recently attended the Upper Midwest Honors Conference, where several students presented research,?and one earned recognition in a regional competition.
In the Three Minute Thesis Competition, Abiah George earned second place for their presentation, “The Denial of 'Homegrown Terrorism': Bias, Rhetoric, and the Framing of Domestic Extremism.”
Three students presented their Honors Thesis research during the poster sessions:
- Stella Meier –?“Rhetorical Shields: The Shaping of Qualified Immunity by the United States Supreme Court”
- Triston Leidholdt – “Underage Gambling Exposure: Changing Societal Outlook on Sports Betting”
- Morgan Sheldon – “Testing Moccasin Creek Using ICP-OES Water Analysis for Heavy Metal Contamination”
In addition, Evelynn Carlson and Avery Kautz attended the conference and represented Northern State University.
“I’m so proud of our students—not just for the outstanding research they presented, but for the way they fully engaged with the conference experience,” said Dr. Hannah Walters, director of the NSU Honors Program. “Opportunities like this are about more than presenting—it’s about discovering who you are as a scholar and a leader.”
The Upper Midwest Honors Conference brings together honors students and faculty from colleges and universities across the region to share research, connect with peers and faculty, and engage in academic conversation.
Morgan Sheldon, a Biology major from Mandan, North Dakota, competes on the Northern Women’s Track and Field team. She plans to graduate in three years and then pursue a degree in Nursing.
Sheldon reflected on her recent experience at the conference:
“Presenting my thesis project on ‘Testing Moccasin Creek Using ICP-OES Water Analysis for Heavy Metal Contamination’ was a rewarding opportunity to showcase the hard work I’ve poured into this research over the past year. Being a part of Honors has given me the chance to share why this topic is interesting to me, especially in terms of conservation and encouraging people to care about the biodiversity of the creek beyond its aesthetics.
This experience has opened doors to learning more about the history of the creek, the organisms that inhabit it, and the wildlife and aquatic plants that depend on it. The feedback I received sparked even more questions that I want to continue exploring. I’m incredibly grateful to my Northern professors and Honors advisors who supported me throughout this challenging process. Writing a thesis was intimidating at times, but their guidance helped me push through even when I felt like giving up.”
For more information about Northern’s Honors Program, visit northern.edu/honors.