On Thursday, Apr. 16, students, faculty, and members of the Iona campus community celebrated academic achievement during the 17th Annual Scholars Day, one of Iona University’s most significant academic celebrations of the year.
Spread across campus and hosted in venues including the Hynes Athletics Center and LaPenta School of Business, Scholars Day consisted of panel presentations, poster sessions and other creative works displayed by students in a variety of fields of study. The day allowed students to show the months or often years of hard work and research in a professional and collaborative atmosphere.
For some students, it was the first time their work was seen by anyone outside of a classroom setting. Christopher Gambino ’27, a Media and Strategic Communication major, highlighted his research focused on the history and legacy of Negro League Baseball.
“My presentation focused on the Negro Leagues, a time in baseball that is so interesting, yet I feel rarely discussed,” Gambino said. “I wanted to not only give insight on this illustrious history but take a look at the ways in which MLB honors these legendary players.”
Gambino presented during the “History and Significance in the USA” panel, one of several sessions that covered topics ranging from media and culture to science and technology.
While the research itself is the focus, what stood out just as much was the environment surrounding it. Megan Basile ’27 a Media and Strategic Communications/ History dual major emphasized how meaningful the experience was after presenting her project on colonial taverns and their influence.
“Presenting at Scholar’s Day was a truly rewarding experience. After seven months researching the historical significance of colonial taverns, their role in the colonists’ victory over the British, and their modern parallel in social media, I was excited to share my work with students, faculty, and community members who value academia,” Basile said. “I received great feedback that reaffirmed my hard work was being appreciated. Events like this create a supportive, engaging environment at Iona that encourages students to pursue projects about which they are genuinely passionate.”
That idea came up throughout the day. Scholars Day isn’t just about providing research but demonstrating what students can achieve when they are completely invested in their work.
As Scholars Day continues to expand each year, it is one of the most concrete representations of what Iona is all about. The opportunities are there, but it’s what the students do with them that makes Iona truly special.
