ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ

Though most news coverage of the Catholic Church focuses on its scandals, the positive impacts of the world’s largest organization can often be understated, which ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ senior Stephen Ferguson argues based on his research into the emerging public perception of the institution. His work is the latest to be featured in a series of E-net profiles on undergraduate research to be presented during CELEBRATE! 2011.

Shaw University in Raleigh has requested ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ's assistance for helping to clean up from the damage caused by the tornadoes earlier this month. The Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement has a tornado relief service trip planned for Saturday, April 30.

Work by ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students and professors took center stage Wednesday in the opening hours of SURF 2011 with a new morning format for the annual event that recognizes faculty and undergraduate research. Twenty-two professors took part in third annual "Celebration of Faculty Scholarship" in McKinnon Hall, where they shared work in a poster presentation side-by-side with students who had been accepted to display findings of their own endeavors.

What can dance instructors do differently to help novice students avoid injury? And how do advanced students help in that regard? For ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ senior Bridget Kelly, answering those questions has earned her acclaim at a major international conference, and her work is the latest to be featured in a series of E-net profiles on undergraduate research to be presented during CELEBRATE! 2011.

Author and environmentalist Anna Lappé spoke to a crowd of more than 200 people in McKinnon Hall on April 20 about industrial factory farming practices and the link to climate change.

CELEBRATE! Week 2011 got underway Tuesday with a series of events that included a dance concert on the patio of the Center for the Arts. Watch some of the performance and view a gallery of images captured by Brian Meyer and Kim Walker in the Office of University Relations.

Historically, North Carolina has voted Republican in presidential elections, but many political observers were surprised two years ago when President Barack Obama won the Tar Heel State. ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ senior McKenzie Young investigated the factors behind the state’s recent voting behavior, and her work is the latest to be featured in a series of E-net profiles on Lumen Scholars in the Class of 2011.

Since the arrival of the Spanish to Ecuador, indigenous peoples have struggled against political and economic elites trying to introduce Western norms that undermine cultural identities. ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ senior Chris Jarrett is examining how groups interact with Ecuadorian society through political activity and development projects, and his research on the Amazonian Kichwa people is the latest work to be featured in a series of E-net profiles on Lumen Scholars in the Class of 2011.

More than 5.3 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia that impairs memory and behavior. ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ senior Caroline Peckels is analyzing compounds found in walnuts that may one day lead to new treatment for patients with the degenerative condition, and her work is the latest to be featured in a series of E-net profiles on Lumen Scholars in the Class of 2011.