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Students Shine at Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF)
Virginia Wesleyan celebrates innovation, insight, and impact
University News | May 2, 2025
Kaza Dayton ’25 discovered that many of the federal government’s online emergency preparedness resources were no longer multilingual following the dissolution of DEI initiatives. That left a large number of people, particularly among the nation’s large Hispanic population, with nowhere to turn when facing a natural disaster. So, she created an online pamphlet in Spanish now being used by one of the region’s service organizations with others soon to follow.
Waylo Wilson ’25 experimented with AI upscaling and found that users can extend the life of older computers running gaming software—offering a more sustainable approach to technology. Stone Sterling ’25 created a growing student-sourced database of the best study spots on and off campus, offering peers a new tool for academic success.
Kaza, Waylo, and Stone were among the dozens of students who showcased their capstone academic endeavors during Virginia Wesleyan’s Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) Poster Fair, held in the Cunningham Multi-Activity Center (CMAC) in the Jane P. Batten Student Center.
The event—part of the University’s broader Academic Symposium—highlighted student presentations in research, global engagement, internships, and creative performance. In addition to the popular poster session, SURF featured premier student speaker panels held across campus, where students shared in-depth work on a wide range of subjects. 
Among the featured topics: the cognitive impact of anxiety and mind wandering on student learning, strategies to combat coral bleaching, virtual reality tools for students with learning differences, and the use of MicroPADs as emerging diagnostic devices. These presentations reflected the University’s strong emphasis on undergraduate research and real-world application.
The Academic Symposium, held near the end of each semester, is a signature Virginia Wesleyan event coordinated by The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery. The day celebrates students who have completed a variety of academic experiences and fosters a community of scholarly exchange. Through public presentation and peer dialogue, the event encourages critical thinking, cross-disciplinary engagement, and reflection—hallmarks of a Virginia Wesleyan education.