NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Students selected from each of Stephen F. Austin State University's six colleges and one regional college will showcase their research during the 2019 Undergraduate Research Conference from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center.

Individual students or a student group from each college was selected as top scholar. Additional students were chosen as finalists. Top scholars will present their research during the conference in the student center theater. Finalists will showcase their poster presentations in the student center's Twilight Ballroom.

Dr. Michael Tkacik, director of the School of Honors and professor of government, said the students were chosen based on their rigor, creativity and research processes regarding their projects.

"Ultimately, research seeks to add new knowledge to the world," Tkacik said. "These students have demonstrated excellence in every sense. They have shown initiative, perseverance and creativity. They are to be commended for their hard work."

Top scholars include: Kia Fisker from the Nelson Rusche College of Business; James Hutson, Casey Pederson and Courtney Elliott from the James I. Perkins College of Education; Michael Dean, Travis Wattigney, Wyatt Gay and Logan Starks from the College of Fine Arts; Carly Wright from the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture; Aaron Kelley from the College of Liberal and Applied Arts; Hailey and Holly Jarzynka from the College of Sciences and Mathematics; and Hannah Horton, who is representing Tyler Junior College.

The conference is open to the public. For a list of participants and research topics, visit http://www.sfasu.edu/honors/urc/winners2019.asp.