SURF Research Frenzy Held on July 10

By Emma Steadman, C'26

SEWANEE, Tenn. (July 14, 2025)—On Thursday, July 10, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS) hosted the annual Sewanee Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Research Frenzy, highlighting the work of summer researchers across a variety of academic fields.

The SURF program is a summer fellowship allowing undergraduate students to pursue research projects under faculty mentorship, with most receiving funding from OURS and Career Readiness + Student Success. Fellows spend several weeks designing and conducting studies in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. This year, a record number of 65 Sewanee students and 35 mentors participated in SURF. 

A total of 36 students presented their findings at the event. From 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., 13 oral presentations were held in the Torian Room of duPont Library where students shared their research questions, methods and conclusions. In the afternoon from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., 21 student presenters shared and discussed their findings with attendees at the poster session in Spencer Hall. 

Research topics reflected a wide range of fields, including environmental science, computational chemistry, psychology, religion, and classical studies. Among the projects were: a survey of tree species to track forest composition; an exploration of the metamorphoses motif in The Testament of Abraham; and the development of a streamlined method for synthesizing metal-amino acid complexes. 

Louise Ferguson, C’26, is one of the students working with Visiting Instructor of Psychology Luis Mendez on a research project titled Self-esteem and Depressive Symptoms in Marital and Housing Status, where they are analyzing the ways that gender and marital status correspond to socioeconomic status, and how this may affect self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Reflecting on the experience, Ferguson says, “I’m grateful that Sewanee gives students the chance to work on research over the summer and to share what we’ve learned with the community.”

Career Readiness at Sewanee

Outcomes
First Destinations after Graduation

Sewanee graduates get the job. Over 95% of each year’s graduating class is employed, continuing education, in the military, or participating in a fellowship or service commitment within six months of graduation. Top career fields include: business, finance, and consulting; education; law; medicine; and environment and sustainability. Review the first destinations data to see where Sewanee alumni launched their careers.

See Sewanee Alumni's First Destinations
Career Readiness
Support at Every Stage of the Journey

From day one, we’ll work with you to design a four-year experience that connects to your values, meets your goals, and prepares you for a meaningful and purposeful career. You’ll be matched with a career readiness and student success coach, enjoy regular campus events, have access to internships—and funding—just for Sewanee students, and get connected to Sewanee’s 20,000 strong network of alumni who are ready to help you on your way.

Explore Career Readiness Resources
Undergraduate Research
Hands-On Learning, On and Off the Domain

Big questions are out there. At Sewanee, we'll work together to find the answers. Faculty from all disciplines—sciences, humanities, fine arts, and more—bring their scholarship into the classroom and create opportunities for students to pursue original research. And thanks to the Sewanee Pledge, students are guaranteed funding for a summer research fellowship or internship with a Sewanee professor or another approved program.

Check Out Research Opportunities