Four CSB and SJU students to display scholarly research Feb. 19 at State Capitol

Go to the Minnesota State Capitol on any given day, and you'll see a flurry of activity - legislators meeting, information being passed about, issues of the day being discussed.

But on Tuesday, Feb. 19, four students from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University will join that hustle and bustle and present the results of their scholarly research at the Private College Scholars at the Capitol event.

A total of 37 students from 15 Minnesota private colleges will be presenting their research from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Capitol Rotunda. The event celebrates the research and creative scholarship from Minnesota private colleges.

Each college selects and sends its own students and posters. The Minnesota Private College Council is a primary sponsor of the event.

The CSB and SJU students presenting their research at the event include:

• Feiran Chen, a CSB senior psychology major from Chengdu Sichuan, China, presenting "The Personality Profile of 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney."  Her project adviser is Aubrey Immelman, associate professor of psychology at CSB and SJU.

Chen's project collected information from biographical sources and media reports to determine Romney's personality profile. It found that Romney's personality profile is characteristically prudent, proper, dignified, dependable and more principled than most personality types.

• Stephanie Pinkalla, a CSB junior political science major from Eagan, Minn., presenting "The Production of Knowledge in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change." Her project adviser is Jessica O'Reilly, assistant professor of sociology at CSB and SJU.

Pinkalla's research examines the archived draft review comments for the Fourth Assessment Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which produces reports through a group of scientists and reviewers around the world. This project explores the conflict and consensus within the scientific community relating to climate studies.

• Drew Stommes, an SJU senior political science major from Eden Valley, Minn., presenting "The Evolution and Expansion of India's Nuclear Forces." His project adviser is Gary Prevost, professor of political science at CSB and SJU.

Stommes' project examines issues pertaining to India's nuclear arsenal. His research makes a comprehensive assessment of the maturation of India's quantitative (overall size of its nuclear arsenal) and qualitative (missile capabilities, sea-based deterrents) capabilities.

• Ryan Wold, an SJU senior philosophy and political science double-major from Brooklyn Park, Minn., presenting "Campaign Finance Ethics: It's Not an Oxymoron." His project adviser is Claire Haeg, associate professor of political science at CSB and SJU.

Wold's research offers a combination of perspectives from corporate America, philosophers and political scientists who provide a comprehensive picture of the ethical dilemmas in campaign finance. He concludes that money in politics is not necessarily a bad thing and that democracy is not being bought.