From crop rows to rites-of-passage, five students in West Virginia University’s Native American Studies Program will share the results of their research in an undergraduate research colloquium Thursday, Jan. 26.

The colloquium will be from 5-6:30 p.m. in the first-floor reception room of Elizabeth Moore Hall on WVU ’s downtown campus. The colloquium is free and open to the public.

The students and their topics:

• Joanna Adkins, a biology major from Pineville,My Blind Gemini Eyes,which considers the conflicting effects of environmental degradation

• Jana Melpolder, a sociology and anthropology major from Erie, Pa.,A World Away Just Across the Street,a contrast between the Grave Creek Archaeological Site and the Moundsville Penitentiary, both in Marshall County, W.Va.

• Meghan Burns, a psychology major from Gerrardstown,Kinaald: To Sleep on Changing Woman’s Bed of Flowers,an examination of coming-of-age ceremonies in Navajo and Sioux literatures

• Michael Costello, a double major in political science and journalism from Elkview,Confronted by Humor: Contemporary Issues and Perspectives by Native American Artists,a look at the works of Native American artists in a wide range of topics

• Jessica Harley, an agricultural and environmental education major from Rivesville,De-oha-ko: The Science and Traditional Stories Behind theThree Sisters,’an overview of biological processes and Native American traditional stories about corn, bean and squash plants in an intercrop

All five completed their research while enrolled in English courses focused on Native American literature. Adkins, Melpolder and Burns studied Native American women writers under the direction of Cari Carpenter; Costello and Harley studied the literature of Native America with Ellesa High.

WVU students may minor in Native American Studies or select Native American Studies as one of three fields to complete the bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies. The Native American Studies Program is housed in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at WVU .

For more information, contact Bonnie Brown, coordinator, WVU Native American Studies Program, at BonnieM.Brown@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-4626.