College of Arts & Letters Students Earn First-Place Awards at Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum

Eight students whose primary majors are in the College of Art & Letters received first-place awards for their research and creative scholarship presented at Michigan State University’s 28th annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF). Several other MSU students who received first-place awards were mentored by faculty within the College of Arts & Letters.

A bustling science fair with diverse participants discussing poster presentations. The venue is filled with detailed posters and engaged attendees. — The 28th annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) was held in person at the Breslin Student Events Center on April 17 and asynchronously online April 16-17 with 1,332 undergraduate students participating.

The following are the eight MSU students with primary majors in the College of Art & Letters who received first-place awards at the 2026 UURAF:

Emerson Bogacki
Roberto “Marcos” Garcia
Connor Mason
William McLaren
Nicole Rockett
Mia Wertheimer
Rileigh Belle Wine
Evan Yalowitz

Held each spring, UURAF provides MSU undergraduate students with an opportunity to share their work with the MSU community. Student participants gain experience presenting their research and answering questions about their work while receiving constructive feedback from judges.

The 2026 UURAF, held both in person at the Breslin Student Events Center on April 17 and asynchronously online on April 16-17, included 1,332 undergraduate students who were mentored by 744 scholars across more than 30 categories.

Two people smiling, sitting on a woven bench. One wears a pink shirt and glasses, and the other a patterned blouse. The background is a dark curtain. — The 28th annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) at the Breslin Student Events Center. Pictured here are some of the College of Arts & Letters students who received first-place awards for their work including Evan Yalowitz (top left), Rileigh Belle Wine (top right), Mia Wertheimer (bottom left), and Connor Mason (bottom right).

A woman is being filmed holding a microphone in front of a poster presentation. Another person captures the scene on a smartphone. The mood is focused and professional. — The 28th annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) at the Breslin Student Events Center. Pictured here are some of the College of Arts & Letters students who received first-place awards for their work including Evan Yalowitz (top left), Rileigh Belle Wine (top right), Mia Wertheimer (bottom left), and Connor Mason (bottom right).

The UURAF Awards Ceremony took place April 24 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, when the first-place awards of $100 each were presented.

First-place award recipients are now eligible to submit their work for consideration for a $500 UURAF Grand Prize award. One grand prize will be awarded in the arts, humanities, and social sciences categories and another in the science, engineering, and mathematics categories. Grand prize recipients will be notified by mid-June.

Emerson Bogacki

A person wearing a green striped shirt and glasses stands smiling beside a colorful academic poster titled "Margins of the Equation: Transgender Mathematicians Navigating Socio-Economic Inequality," featuring charts, text blocks, and flags. The atmosphere is scholarly and supportive. — Emerson Bogacki at UURAF

Emerson Bogacki, Art Education major, received first place in the Education category for their “Margins Of The Equation: Transgender Mathematicians Navigating Socio-Economic Inequality” poster presentation. Bogacki was mentored by Justin Gutzwa, Assistant Professor in the College of Education, and Reagin McNeill, Assistant Professor in Lyman Briggs College.

Roberto “Marcos” Garcia

A person wearing glasses and a suit with a red tie stands in an indoor setting, possibly at a conference or event. Another person is blurred in the background. — Roberto “Marcos” Garcia at UURAF

Roberto “Marcos” Garcia, an Honors College student double majoring in English and Sociology, along with co-presenters Emily Porco, Rithi Aree, and Sumaiya Imad, received first place in the Digital Humanities category for their poster presentation, “Using an AI Chatbot to Address Housing Insecurity.” They were mentored by John Waller, Associate Professor in the Department of History in the College of Social Science.

Connor Mason

A young man discusses research at a poster session. He's wearing a green shirt and glasses, passionately explaining charts on a board. Attendees listen attentively. — Connor Mason at UURAF

Connor Mason, an Honors College student majoring in Linguistics, received first place in the Linguistics, Languages, and Speech category for his poster presentation, “A Lowkey Examination of Lowkey in the Mi Diaries Corpus.” He was mentored by Assistant Professor Betsy Sneller and Associate Professor Suzanne Wagner, both faculty members in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures in the College of Arts & Letters.

William McLaren

Two people in light blue shirts discuss a research poster on "Mutual Exclusivity in Child Language Acquisition" at a conference. The setting is professional and studious. — William McLaren at UURAF

William McLaren, a French major, received first place in the Linguistics, Languages, and Speech category for his poster presentation, “Mutual Exclusivity In Child Language Acquisition.” He was mentored by faculty in the College of Arts & Letters‘ Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures, including Associate Professor Alan Munn, Associate Professor Cristina Schmitt; and doctorial student John Ryan.

Nicole Rockett

A woman stands beside a detailed academic poster on patient communication at a conference. She wears glasses and a dark blazer, smiling confidently. — Nicole Rockett at UURAF

Nicole Rockett, Honors College student majoring in Art Education, received first place in the Education category for her poster presentation, “How Do Premed Undergrads and Medical Professionals Think About Patient Communication: Implications For Instruction Focused On Non-Expert Communication.” She was mentored by Jennifer Doherty, Assistant Professor in Lyman Briggs College, and Keenan Noyes, Post Doctoral Research Fellow.

Mia Wertheimer

A woman presents a colorful research poster to an engaged group at a conference. The setting is vibrant with discussions and diverse attendees. — Mia Wertheimer at UURAF

Mia Wertheimer, who is double majoring in English and Professional and Public Writing, received first place in the Humanities category for her poster presentation, “Challenging Remedial History(ies) Through Creative Expression: Introducing In Between the Lines, an MSU Writing Center Literary Journal.” She was mentored by Grace Pregent, Director of The Writing Center.

Rileigh Belle Wine

A woman energetically presents a research poster titled "All The World's a Classroom" to a man in a suit. The setting resembles an academic conference, with other posters and attendees in the background. The atmosphere is engaging and informative. — Rileigh Belle Wine at UURAF

Rileigh Belle Wine, Honors College student with a BFA in Acting major, received first place in the Visual and Performing Arts category for her poster presentation, “All The Worlds a Classroom.” She was mentored by Dionne O’Dell, Academic Specialist in the Department of Theatre in the College of Arts & Letters.

Evan Yalowitz

Two smiling women at an indoor event. One balances playfully on a metal sculpture, wearing a vibrant pink shirt. The atmosphere is lively and joyful. — Evan Yalowitz at UURAF

Evan Yalowitz, a BFA in Studio Art major, received first place in the Visual Art Showcase for her project, “Fabrication And Casting.” She was mentored by Jacquelynn Sullivan Gould, Teaching Specialist, and Jamie Weinfurter, Assistant Professor, both faculty members in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design in the College of Arts & Letters.

By Kim Popiolek