Levi Hansen ’26 presents his work at Symposium Day.At Symposium, I checked out some of the newest student research at Beloit College. Symposium day is an opportunity for students from all disciplines to present their research and experiences to their peers while getting important presentation experience. Levi Hansen ’26, a psychology major, presented his thesis research on the stigma toward individuals with borderline personality disorder and incarceration and how they interact. His research was based on a survey of four groups presented with an individual with a history of incarceration, borderline personality disorder, neither, or both.

Levi spoke to me about what he values about Symposium day. “It’s both a way to celebrate achievements and a way to practice presenting to non-class audiences.” Levi put hundreds of hours of work into his research, and now, looking past his time in college, his Symposium presentation prepares him for careers and graduate work in psychology. But Symposium day is also an expression of community: “It’s a way to look back and let everyone’s achievements really sink in.”

Levi shouted out his advisor, Dr. Suzanne Cox: “Without her and the rest of the psychology department I would have never been able to complete my senior thesis.”

Indrayudh Sinha ’28 presented his second Symposium this semester. His presentation focused on Milton’s poem Paradise Lost and its various reinterpretations, especially in a colonial context, by authors like William Blake, Daniel Defoe, and Rabindranath Tagore. He explored how reinterpretations of Paradise Lost cast Satan as a rebellious anti-colonialist figure, and how this view evolved and was challenged in the centuries after its publication.

Indrayudh reflected on how his continued involvement in Symposium has shaped both his academic interests and his sense of belonging on campus. “I’ve always been very interested in research and public speaking, and so right from my freshman year, I’ve participated in the Symposium,” he said. What began as an opportunity tied to a single class quickly became a defining part of his academic experience. “I’ve always greatly enjoyed Symposium day, hopping from one building to another to look at different research topics.”

As an international student, he sees the event as something larger: “the symposium stands for the importance of student research and academic rigour in American higher education, the equal of which you’d scarcely find elsewhere.” And alongside his academic interest, he likes to enjoy the various events on campus. “The day itself is great fun, especially the noon lunch parties that different schools on campus organise.”

Indrayudh’s first Symposium was written for his introductory history class with Professor Daniel Brueckenhaus. “I wanted to write something unconventional for the final paper of my first History class in Beloit,” he explained, describing his project on séance culture among the colonial bourgeoisie in Asia. “I worked on extending and adding more to it, when I was back in India during the summer, gathering archival sources, which was great fun given the unconventional topic.”

Support from faculty played a key role in shaping his work. “Other than Professor Brueckenhaus, my advisor Daniel Youd and my English professor Tamara Ketabgian were present at my first symposium. Both of them had helped me in improving the paper as well.”

Symposium is an incredible opportunity for students to showcase their work and explore and discover the work of their peers. It fosters a vibrant academic community at Beloit College and would not be possible without the dedication of faculty and the support of donors committed to preserving what makes Beloit College a place that changes lives.