EHS Students Win Sports Medicine Jeopardy Game
Alma College recently became the first liberal arts college to win the Michigan Chapter of American Colleges of Sports Medicine’s annual Jeopardy! game.
A team of exercise and health science students secured the win by correctly answering a question about Type 2 diabetes.
While three students represented each college during the competition, institutions with graduate programs had the opportunity to include a graduate student on their teams. Brianna Harfmann, a Midland senior, says this hasn’t stopped Alma from proving to be a strong competitor, however.
Alma's winning Jeopardy team, from left: Instructor Marlene Wenta, Sophia Hrutkay, Brianna Harfmann and Miranda Hernandez.
“We’ve placed second in previous years, so finally placing first was amazing,” she says. “It’s great evidence of just how well the faculty at Alma does in teaching the material.”
An equally impressive showing was made during the conference’s research presentations. Marlene Wenta, exercise and health science instructor, says performance evaluations, which were filled out by all attendees, indicated an overwhelming positive response to Alma students.
“The information within the presentations and the ease at which our students presented was above and beyond,” she says. “We really enjoyed what they had to say, and we’re so excited about what they were able to do.”
In terms of presentations, Harfmann says she was impressed that she and her fellow classmates were able to match what larger institutions had to offer.
“It reflected well on us that all the studies we presented were completed with results,” she says. “I think it shows that Alma is able to provide strong research opportunities to students regardless of its size.”
Because students are the only presenters at the conference, Wenta says it’s the perfect environment for them to become comfortable with presenting their research.
“This makes it easy for students to interact and talk with others about their research,” she says. “They’ve worked so hard, so we’re glad they have this opportunity to share the fruits of their labor.”
Alma students presented on topics such as altitude physiology and sweat collection data. Many of their research projects, on which they collaborated with faculty sponsors, have been accepted to national conferences.
In addition to helping students gain confidence, these conferences provide them with many opportunities to network.
“The students see firsthand what kind of research other institutions are doing,” says Wenta. “As they look into graduate programs, having this information and making these contacts is helpful.”
For faculty members, however, these conferences have a special meaning, reminding them of just how talented Alma students are.
“Our students show their excellence in exercise and health science every single day,” she says. “We’re so proud to be the faculty members associated with them, but it’s not about us. It’s about their hard work, and we’re confident that they will continue to succeed.”
Posted: Tue, March 1st, 2011 at 8:27AM
