ZW
Zachary Widel
  • physics
  • Romeoville, IL

Zachary Widel of Romeoville Presents Work at Lewis University Celebration of Scholarship

2013 May 8

More than 280 Lewis University undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni showcased their scholarly and artistic work April 18 during the 2nd Annual Celebration of Scholarship.

This year's event included the first-ever competition for research and scholarly poster presentations. Celebration of Scholarship posters that were accepted were selected from submitted abstracts through a blind-review process. Expert and lay judges evaluated the nearly 50 poster presentations that reflected the best of undergraduate and graduate scholarship for 2012-2013.

Zachary Widel of Romeoville presented "Application of Quantum Dot Nanocomposites for Photo-induced Production of Hydrogen". Dr. Jason Keleher mentored Widel.

Dr. Herb Childress, dean of Research and Assessment at the Boston Architectural College, offered the keynote address "Wicked Problems: Why All of You Are Architecture Majors."

During his keynote address, Childress discussed various wicked problems, climate change, waste management, sustainable design and others to properly define wicked problems. The nationally-recognized scholar, researcher and academic leader further explained that wicked problems require judgment beyond expertise. Speaking to the audience of students, faculty and staff, Childress reminded everyone that "The world is more wicked than our disciplines."

He encouraged everyone to collaborate to solve the world's wicked problems. He concluded, "None of us alone can do the work that wicked problems demand, but as one among the many."

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit http://www.lewisu.edu for further information.