Celebrating Asbury 2026 Commencement, May 2 – Learn More Now.
Showcasing Asbury student research, creativity, and collaboration across disciplines
Asbury University’s annual SEARCH Symposium, held April 9 in the Shaw Collaborative Learning Center (CLC) brought together students, faculty, and the public to celebrate student research, presentations, and creative work across disciplines.The event provided a dynamic forum for students to share their academic passions, engage in meaningful dialogue, and highlight innovative ideas within the liberal arts.
Asbury Student Award Winners
Marissa Yost ’26 received first place as the Student Scholar of Excellence (with a $1,000 award) for her research project with faculty-sponsor Dr. Marcus Kilian: “Attachment to God in Adoptees: Proposing Attachment Theory as a Bridge Framework.”
Attachment and identity are integral themes and struggles common to adoptees.”
“This paper offers an overview of attachment theory and provides its foundation as a bridge framework and then examines existing research on the separate literatures of attachment to God and adopted individuals.”
Sarah Bruns ’27 received second place (with a $500 award) for her research project with faculty-sponsor Dr. Jonathan Rutledge: “Loving Into Damnation: a Puzzle of Desire in the Thomistic Love Model.” Emma Brown ’26 received third place (with a $500 prize) for her research project with Dr. Bruce Branan: “Evaluation of pesticide residues using Magicada septendecim samples in Wilmore, KY.”
This year marked the 11th Asbury SEARCH Symposium to celebrate excellent ideas in art and research through conversation across the liberal arts.
SEARCH brings together Asbury students and faculty from all majors and experience levels to engage, collaborate, and share ideas.
2026 SEARCH GUEST SPEAKER
In addition to showcasing student work, SEARCH welcomes renowned guest speakers to share their knowledge and discoveries in various topics related to research, creativity and scientific innovation.
This year’s guest speaker included Dr. Sarah M. Estelle, professor of economics at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. With a current book project which applies the lessons of economics to the Christian virtue of love, Estelle also serves as the founding director of Hope College’s Markets & Morality student program, which explores economic issues through a Christian lens.
Watch Dr. Estelle’s Asbury Chapel Message Here
The annual SEARCH Symposium and competition celebrates great ideas in art and research through conversation across the liberal arts.