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Focused Learn and Engage Day Celebrates Student and Faculty Research

By Clarke News  |  April 4, 2025
Steele Fredricks presents on "Exploring Effects of Vitamin D in Drosophila," which won "Best Research at the event.

On Tuesday, April 1, Clarke University held its Focused Learn and Engage Day (FLED). The annual event offers learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff, as well as connections to the greater community. 

The day-long festivities included three unique opportunities for participants. The Celebration of Scholarship included a series of poster presentations, lectures, and demonstrations representing research from many of Clarke’s academic programs. In a first for the event, several awards were also selected by a committee of judges.  

The inaugural winners included: 

The Steve Kapelke Award: The Future of Flute by Kaedynce Stevens’26  

This award goes to the presentation or poster that is most innovative in their respective field. The presentation or poster will be judged on originality, creativity, and discovery.   

Best Research: Exploring Effects of Vitamin D in Drosophila by Steele Fredricks ’26, Cody Leon ’26, Cassandra Scheper’26, and Sammie Miller ’26 

This award is given for research in any field and will be judged on originality, thoroughness, findings, and presentation skills.  

Best in Show: New Demonstrations for General Chemistry I by Tony Breitbach ’07 and Parker Ostrander ’23 

This award goes to the best presentation of the day and is judged on originality, visual aesthetic, and presentation skills. 

Additionally, students were able to take part in a Career Fair and meet with 23 companies and area organizations offering internship and employment opportunities.  

Finally, Clarke University seniors took the next step towards Commencement with Grad Finale. Hosted by Academic Affairs, this portion of the event was dedicated to helping those on their way to graduation ensure that any requisite paperwork had been completed.  

“This day shows what defines us, the true spirit of intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and collaboration,” said Dr. Aimee Taylor, Chair of First-Year Studies and member of the Faculty Development Committee. “The Celebration of Scholarship invites students, faculty, and staff to present their work side by side, and through that endeavor, we get to see how scholarship takes many forms but always enriches our understanding of the world.”