Elliot Fylstra|Marlin Chronicle
To showcase the accomplishments of students, Virginia Wesleyan hosted its annual “Spring Undergraduate Research Forum” (SURF) for 2025, renamed from “Academic Symposium.” The conference-style event provides an opportunity for undergraduates to present their research, internships, creative projects and study abroad experiences through oral presentations, poster sessions and panel discussions.
At SURF, senior Katie Baker shared her bat conservation endeavors that she achieved this semester. As part of her senior capstone project, Baker led a bat conservation project on campus aiming to monitor local bat species and raise awareness about their importance at Virginia Wesleyan. Motivated by an old-growth beech forest on campus, Baker had a trail designated as “bat-friendly.” This trail is in the Wesleyan Woods between Brock Village and the Honors Village. The space is designated with a certification by Bat Conservation Rescue Virginia, which Baker said is “pretty cool.”
Katie Baker poses next to the bat-friendly trail designation.
Katie Baker|Courtesy
Baker had to meet criteria for the designation, including a high percentage of English ivy, native plants, a water source and little/no artificial lighting. According to Baker, the trail met requirements. “There are no lamps or lights. Lights are known to interact with bat migration… the only thing we need to worry about is native species and whether lights or lamp posts are added along that trail,” Baker said.
The project involved collaboration with students and faculty members. “I partnered with Tri Beta Biology Honor Society in the process of getting the certification and then installing the sign: Dr. Schaus is in charge of that,” Baker said. The sign was donated by Advision Sign Company and is located on the bat friendly certified green space.
To support ongoing research, Baker developed a syllabus for future student involvement with the role bats play in pest control. “A lot of people don’t know that bats account for $3.7 billion worth of pest control in the U.S. alone,” Baker said. The syllabus addresses common misconceptions about bats and encourages the continuation of community engagement and habitat preservation at Virginia Wesleyan beyond Baker’s graduation.
Brianny Ocampo, a senior criminal justice major, shared her experience in completing a hands-on internship with the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) through the VBPD Youth Services internship website. Over 12 weeks, Ocampo rode along in 30 10-hour ride-alongs, rotating through the first, second and third precincts.
Brianny Ocampo presents her poster at SURF.
Abee Cassidy|Marlin Chronicle
“I was mostly a calm, mature and respectful ride along,” Ocampo said. Her experience remained observational, witnessing key law enforcement operations. “I visited jails, signed muster, visited dispatch and a real time crime center. I gained a lot of knowledge in understanding criminal justice and their procedures,” Ocampo said.
Ocampo connected her academic studies to real-world procedures, learning from courses like CJ 250 and CJ 387. She was particularly inspired by Officer Reyes, who described his job as “rewarding” because of his impact on people’s lives. “This internship has given me a new perspective on the work officers do and the relationship they build,” Ocampo said. Motivated to become a police officer by her experience, she plans to apply to the VBPD and continue her journey towards a career in law enforcement.
By Abee Cassidy
