Sophomore researchers present work at annual Pannell Honors Scholars Fair

Paige Chamblin ’18


What do archery, South Korea, engineering and wild horses have in common? They can all be studied at length — for an entire academic year, to be exact — with the help of Sweet Briar College’s Anne Gary Pannell Honors Scholarship for sophomores. This year, four students from the Class of 2018 were awarded the honor.

Paige Chamblin, Lauren “Velocity” Haigh, Daniela Ramirez and Melissa Wert will present their projects at the College’s fifth annual Pannell Honors Scholars Fair at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, in the Reahard Gallery in Mary Helen Cochran Library.

Chamblin is an engineering major from Peoria, Ill., who’s on the pre-med track with minors in biology, chemistry and mathematics. She spent her sophomore year designing and developing an inexpensive LED-based otoscope, an instrument used for visual examination of the eardrum and the outer ear.

Haigh’s project included a trip to Seoul, South Korea, where she investigated the country’s role in global affairs and its historical role in the development of the West.

Ramirez, a double-major in history and international affairs from Montgomery County, Va., undertook a comparative, historical study of archery styles in England, Hungary, Mongolia and Japan. She also collected reproductions of period bows and arrows and used them at a local archery range to support her research.


Melissa Wert ’18


Wert’s project is a combination of her interests in animal rescue and rehabilitation, and managing a nonprofit organization. As part of her research, the English and business double-major from New Jersey spent a week during winter break living and working at a wild horse rescue center in Florida.

The Pannell Honors Scholars program recognizes and rewards students of exceptional initiative and ability, and provides them with a unique opportunity to explore an area of interest more fully during their sophomore year. The selected scholars receive a merit award applied to their Sweet Briar College tuition for sophomore year, which is typically in the range of $1000 to $3000. In addition, the award includes funds of up to $3000 to support the student’s proposed project.

Projects can be broadly imagined — either in a specific academic discipline or interdisciplinary, or they may be service-oriented. They can be related to a course, to future career interests, or to explore a new or ongoing intellectual interest.

For more information about this event and the Honors Program, please visit the program’s website or email Julie Hemstreet at jhemstreet@sbc.edu.