In 2013 President Emeritus Leo Lambert suggested to Senior Lecturer LD Russell that he bring the experience of his classroom, long popular among students, into an online format.

The following year, Chaplain Jan Fuller worked to launch an eight-week series entitled “World Religions: A Whirlwind Tour” that was held in the Richard McBride Gathering Space of the Numen Lumen Pavilion and intended to teach participants about the origins, beliefs, and practices of various faith traditions. Russell offered installments on Hinduism, , , and . The lecture series was well attended, mainly by members of the local community, and soon made available on the.

As of Dec. 7, 2020, Russell’s lecture on Hinduism has been viewed more than one million times. Altogether the series has garnered more than 1,265,000 views and sparked conversations with thinkers and believers who have reached out in response from around the globe.

“The widespread impact of these lectures,” Russell said, “shows the importance of disseminating knowledge not only in the classroom but also beyond the walls of the university. People of every society are eager to learn more about our world and their particular place in it. Addressing that curiosity can help to build crucial bridges at a time when all too often the lack of a broader perspective serves to divide and bring strife.”

Oakley was named both a Powell Scholar and a Provost Scholar for this research project, and she presented her findings at the Spring 2018 National Conference of Undergraduate Research at the University of Central Oklahoma. Senior Lecturer L.D. Russell writes that “it has been a distinct pleasure working alongside Victoria in her role as president of Elon’s Alpha Tau chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa this year. My faculty colleagues and I see good and quite possibly great things in store for her future!” 

Prior to her graduation, Oakley shared these thoughts: “Having been inducted as a member of TAK during my junior year and transitioning to the position of president for my senior year, I’ve found this society to be an integral part of my connection to the field of Religious Studies as an undergraduate. Working with Professor Russell through my position as TAK president, my commitment to the study of religion has only grown as I’m about to graduate.” 

In announcing the award, Oswald John Nira, chair of the 2018 Theta Alpha Kappa Awards Committee, stated, “TAK’s Board was impressed by [Russell’s] vigorous support of undergraduate Religious Studies students at 51±¬ÁÏÍø, as well as [his] vibrant work as moderator for the Alpha Tau chapter. We recognized [his] strong support of TAK members at Elon and their consistent submission of academic work for consideration for TAK’s Clark Award.  

“In addition, 51±¬ÁÏÍø student presentations at the Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion, including one student paper selected as best undergraduate paper at SECSOR 2017, and an Elon student’s reception of one of the 2017 Graduate Fellowship Awards are just some of actions that demonstrate exemplary support for student scholarship in religious studies in the spirit of Kathleen Connolly-Weinert’s leadership.”  

Russell attributes this award in large part to the hard work of faculty colleagues who mentor students throughout the research, writing and presentation phases of academically rigorous undergraduate study, the leadership of past and present chapter presidents like 2017 Elon graduate Daniela Sostaita and senior religious studies major Victoria Oakley, as well as the practical help and unflagging support of departmental assistant, Ms. Annetta Womble.

The award will be presented at the Theta Alpha Kappa business meeting at the American Academy of Religion meetings in Denver, Colorado, in November.

Six of the students presented undergraduate research mentored by professors from the Department of Religious Studies, while the other seven observed in preparation for presenting in the future. 

In the past decade, student travel to SECSOR to observe and present research has become a valued tradition in the department, motivating students to engage in the academic study of religion and equipping them for further scholarship.

Four of the student presenters have been mentored by Amy Allocco, associate professor of religious studies. 

Kimberly Byrne presented research on hybridization and ritual practice dealing with spirits, possession, and the presence of ghosts among Thai and Chinese ethnic groups in Thailand. Daniela Ceron’s research paper explored the relationship between power and possession, in both the Hindu and Islamic traditions, as it is mediated through ritual specialists during the performance of ritual possession in the Western and Central Himalayas. 

Katira Dobbins’s research examined religious and cultural pluralism in South India, as demonstrated through the relationships and overlaps that can be seen in Hindu and Indian Catholic ritual practices. Anya Fredsell offered a research paper examining the intersections of religion and modern yoga in the United States and India. 

Having worked with research mentor Assistant Professor Ariela Marcus-Sells, Joel Green presented research on the evolution of the thought of Malcolm X regarding the social construction of race and possible solutions to the problems of racial injustice. 

Finally, Alexandra McCorkle’s work with research mentor Lynn Huber, professor of religious studies, delineated the religious and cultural parallels between CrossFit and Muscular Christianity.

During the conference, students were also able to learn about research conducted by professors and graduate students as well as undergraduate students at other colleges and universities throughout the Southeast. 

Engaging in conversation with their peers from other institutions, students gain a better sense of the breadth of the field of religious studies while building networks for future cross-fertilization and collaboration. Many of these same students will also be presenting their research at Elon during the Student Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) on April 24.

The event is planned for Thursday, Oct. 20, 4-6 p.m., in the Religious Studies Department suite on the second floor of Spence Pavilion in the Academic Village. Pizza and sodas will be served.

Please come, enjoy free food and drink, and learn more about this exciting field of study.

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