威尼斯人娱乐城的核心是我们的校园社区。 With lots of research opportunities, it’s easy to develop mentorship teams. And these rich relationships—our 动态的重奏曲—are some of our best success stories.
威尼斯人娱乐城大四学生维多利亚·多明格斯（维多利亚Dominguez）还有大约三个月就要大学毕业了。 But instead of coasting to the finish line, she’s knee deep in a research project that will have lasting impact at 威尼斯人娱乐城.
“The murals in Haag Hall are really fascinating and not a lot of students I’ve talked to are aware that they’re here on campus,” Dominguez explained.
这幅壁画位于哈格大厅的二楼，是西班牙艺术家路易斯·昆塔尼拉于1941年绘制的。 1940年，应堪萨斯城大学校长克拉伦斯·德克尔的邀请，金塔尼拉来到堪萨斯城大学的前身堪萨斯城大学（UKC）担任第一位驻校艺术家。
“Part of my research focuses on how Dr. Decker broadened the academic scope of the university by bringing in displaced scholars like Quintanilla,” said Dominguez.
There’s much more historical significance to these paintings than a casual glance reveals. Viviana Grieco博士。他曾与多明格斯合作过一个独立的研究项目，并向她提供了一个与壁画有关的独立研究项目的机会。 多明格斯立刻产生了兴趣，两人的关系也加深了。
“To me as a historian, the most interesting part is that President Decker was able to position this young and unknown university at the level of more prominent universities that were applying for aid through the Rockefeller Foundation, to bring in displaced scholars and scientists. 这是在大萧条时期，这所大学当时才成立5年，所以能在这里找到这样一位才华横溢的艺术家真是令人印象深刻。 It was a huge win that deserves recognition,” said Grieco.
The mural was painted to reflect the theme, “Don Quixote in the Modern World.” 它描绘了许多人和动物，但直到现在，壁画中所描绘的人的身份仍然未知。
Victoria says she’s spent hours combing through various sources, with the help of Grieco, in hopes of identifying the people in the mural. She’s used university archives, old yearbooks, viewed a number of special collections, consulted the Rockefeller Foundation archives and the New York Public library to get information.
“The mural includes illustrations of Dr. Decker and his wife, Luis Quintanilla and his whole family, Alexander Cappon who was part of the UKC English Department. 它包括工作人员、教授和学生。 They’re all depicted in different images across the murals,” Dominguez explained.
Dominguez says she loves the spark that comes with each new identification and deeply appreciates the guidance and mentorship she’s received from Grieco throughout this process.
“Not only is Dr. Grieco inspiring, but she pushes me to my full potential. I don’t think I would have done any of this research work if it wasn’t for her. 她帮助我走出自己的舒适区，挑战我更深入地思考问题。 This research opportunity has really enhanced my university experience,” said Dominguez.
Grieco同样受到这个迷人项目的启发。
“We’re having fun. 当我们发现一些新的东西或新的细节符合我们研究的大局时，我们会感到兴奋。 I enjoy getting immersed into her project and helping guide her.”
The pair has built a strong bond through working together on this project and they’ve noticed a few similarities between their work and the work of the muralist they’re studying.
“Our mentor/mentee experience parallels that of Quintanilla and UKC’s students. 尽管英语说得不流利，但Quintanilla还是能够与校园里的学生建立联系，并与他们一起作为他壁画的主题。 Still today it remains true that these unique mentorship and student engagement opportunities can help students take the most out of their university experience,” said Grieco.
多明格斯敦促任何考虑做研究的人抓住机会，联系一位可以作为你指导的导师。
“It’s one of the best experiences and opportunities I’ve had during my time here at 威尼斯人娱乐城. If you are offered a research opportunity, just take it because it’s vastly different from other coursework and research is a unique opportunity that could help you find passion and figure out what you want to do after college.”
她计划今年春天在杰斐逊城国会大厦的本科生研究日上展示她的研究成果。 多明格斯希望这个项目能重新引起人们对这个校园瑰宝的关注和尊重。
“The interest in these murals and the artist has faded and I really hope my research helps shed more light on both, because the artist’s work is a huge part of our university and I think a lot of students should know more about it.”
