The capstone project is an important part of every Covenant College student’s senior year. From an outside perspective, it’s a sizable research project, often demonstrated with a body of scholarly work or a presentation. However, from a student's perspective, there’s much more to it than the end product. Senior biology major Lydia Moore ’25 talks about her experience throughout the process of writing a capstone and what it has meant to her. 

Introducing the Capstone 

While the capstone looks different for many students, the most important aspect to Lydia is that it integrates faith and learning across disciplines. She says, “The capstone, in general, ties up our time at Covenant by bringing together the content we’ve been learning while also integrating what we've learned about faith and the Lord.” For biology students like Lydia, the capstone is research-focused, helping students to dive into a narrow subject while putting into practice what they’ve been learning for four years. Lydia’s capstone hones in on amenorrhea, or the loss of a menstrual period and its implications regarding health, specifically in female distance runners.

The Early Stages 

Though Lydia has become passionate about her subject, the capstone process began before she decided on a focused topic. Professors are involved from the beginning, helping students throughout the project. “Dr. Morris [biology professor] breaks it down into pretty helpful steps for us,” says Lydia. “He had us come up with a couple of ideas starting in the summer and look at some research to know that we could find something on it. He then had us submit a final idea with just an outline of what we’re interested in.” There are many steps between coming up with the idea and writing the draft, which, to Lydia, made the project less intimidating. “Our first assignment was just to say we had started writing because the hardest part about a capstone, such a big project, is just starting. That first page is hard and definitely daunting at first.” 

Supported Along the Way 

Professors play a big role in a student's capstone, but as Lydia found out, the process is different than sitting in a class or lecture. In class, professors prepared her for her capstone and career by teaching and lecturing, but now, by editing and proofing her own research, professors play a supportive role. Reflecting on their impact Lydia says, “Professors have been so helpful with my capstone, just affirming that it’s a difficult and big task, but also affirming that everything you’ve done has prepared you to handle this. Dr. Morris is really intentional about reminding us that we’re the expert, which is this role reversal where I’m not asking professors about my topic.” However, professors are not just helping students learn how to do robust research for their capstone, they’re also paying attention to what life looks like post-graduation. “There’s a lot that feels pretty daunting about senior year, so having professors that are in the loop with you in your capstone, but also your future plan is really reassuring. As you meet with them while working on your capstone, you’re also looking forward to what life after Covenant looks like.” 

Looking Back on Community 

The role that professors have played in Lydia’s capstone is just one example of a college experience filled with meaningful relationships. She says, “I’ve had a couple of professors for five semesters in a row. Those professors really know me, and they know exactly where I am in my career trajectory; there is just this holistic care. It helps you hold up your end of the deal and be diligent in a really positive way that pushes you.” Her experience of being known extends beyond just professors but also to her hallmates and friends, another important factor that has brought her through all four years. “The fact that my hallmates know me really well means they know my weaknesses, and they can pray for me in that and challenge me.” As Lydia looks towards med school and a career beyond her undergrad, she takes with her the formative years at Covenant, learning in and outside of the classroom.

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