Belhaven University Hosts 2026 Mississippi Honors Conference
JACKSON, Miss. (February 25, 2026) - Belhaven University recently hosted the Mississippi Honors Conference, welcoming undergraduate honors students from colleges and universities across the state. This marked the first time Belhaven has served as host for the statewide gathering.
The conference provides a platform for honors students to present research in STEM and humanities disciplines, receive feedback from judges, and connect with fellow scholars and academic leaders from Mississippi institutions.
Dr. Jonathan Koefoed, professor of history and director of the Honors Program at Belhaven University said, “I am thrilled that Belhaven as a community, its people, its facilities, and its general spirit, could provide a place where these talented students could present their hard work. My hope is that the students will come away from the conference with greater confidence in their abilities, a greater vision for their future, and a sense of the way in which their specific callings are linked with the common good.”
In addition to hosting the conference, five Belhaven students presented research in the STEM and humanities categories: Anna Jablonski, Reagan Nichols, Tyler Jackson, Ashley Davidson, and William Devenish.
Jablonski placed first in the Four-Year STEM poster category for her project, “The Effect of Polymers in Dry Eye Drops on Optical Absorbance and Refraction.” Nichols placed second in the STEM poster category for “An Environmentally Conscious Approach to the Synthesis of Nitrosodiphenylamine.” Devenish earned first place in the Four-Year Humanities Oral Presentation category for “John Knox’s Resistance Theory as an Innovation in Reformed Political Thought.”
As part of the conference experience, Belhaven hosted a Thursday trivia-night social, an historical walking tour of the Belhaven neighborhood and the Eudora Welty House, and multiple sessions designed to challenge and encourage students in their academic and vocational pursuits.Students also participated in a panel discussion with Belhaven deans focused on questions of career and calling.
Belhaven President Dr. Roger Parrott opened the conference with a keynote address that challenged students to consider a vision for their lives and vocations, as well as the virtues necessary for success beyond the classroom. An interactive lunchtime session featured Mr. Lee J. Webb, chief strategy officer at C Spire, who explored themes of courage and leadership in work and life.
Koefoed also expressed appreciation for the collaboration among honors leaders statewide.“I have also been personally blessed and encouraged by the various deans and directors from the honors programs in Mississippi,” he said. “Their care for their students and collegiality with one another is exceptional, so I am grateful that Belhaven could support them and their programs in this small but important way.”