May 17, 2011
For Immediate Release

By Phil Carlisle, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Whitney Deitz, a senior at Campbellsville University, presented a study on the perceptions of marriage by undergraduates at the Alpha Chi National Convention in San Diego, Calif.

“I have been developing this research endeavor for the past two years and was ecstatic to present it at a national convention,” Deitz said. “I was inspired to do this study by personal observations I have made on campus.

Engagement and marriage seem to be the norm on our campus and my study investigated what some of the mitigating factors may be.”

Deitz says that the experience was one of the best she's had during her undergraduate studies, though she admits to being somewhat nervous.

“Presenting at a national convention was incredible,” Deitz said. “I was nervous before I stood up to begin presenting, but when I began the butterflies left me and I just had fun.”

Deitz says Dr. Craig Rogers, associate professor of psychology and Honors Program director at CU, provided great encouragement and advice as she conducted her research, though Rogers himself takes none of the credit.

“I was very encouraged by watching her go through this process of scientific discovery with such passion,” Rogers said. “I am humbled by her perception of my contribution to her project, but she was the one that was so determined to see this project through.”

Rogers said that in class, Deitz always “demonstrates a thirst for knowledge.”
“Whitney doesn't go through the motions of attending class, rather she actively seeks to learn what is being taught.”

Deitz graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in psychology. She plans to attend dentistry school this fall at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. She was awarded the Dean's Scholarship.

“Hopefully in six years I will have finished both my DMD and as well as my residency in pediatric dentistry.”

Deitz, a 2007 graduate of Madisonville North Hopkins High School, is the daughter of Troy and Susan Davis of Madisonville, Ky. Her husband is Willis Deitz, also a 2011 graduate of Campbellsville University.

At CU's recent Honors and Awards Day, she won the Alumni Association Leadership award, health professions academic award, as well as the Honors Program award.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.