Gagne takes top honors at 3-Minute Thesis competition

Tessa Gagne, a master’s student in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences’ packaging science program, took home the top prize of $1,000 in Friday’s Three-Minute Thesis competition and will represent Clemson at the regional competition in February. Her presentation on research involving building better face masks to prevent concussion and other injuries in athletes was chosen by a panel of guest judges as the most engaging and informative of the 20 presentations in the final round of the competition.

A virtual segment of the competition was held for students who could not attend in person because they are online students located too far away, or were doing remote field work, or for other reasons. The competitors recorded their presentations, which were then viewed and voted on by other students. In that contest, Kaitlin Mueller from the Ph.D. program in parks, recreation and tourism management in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences.

Starting off the day was keynote speaker Talithia Williams. TV host, author, mathematician and more talked about the power of stories in her own professional and personal growth and how others can hone the same skills to get the same benefits. Her talk will be posted on the Graduate School YouTube Channel shortly.

Later in the day, Graduate Student Government President Robert O’Hara read aloud a proclamation recognizing GSG’s Research Initiatives Committee, headed this year by Director Nicholas Gregorich and Deputy Director Claire Textor, and the Graduate School for their parts in 3MT and the significant impact it makes on graduate student life at Clemson.