UNCW Library Names 2026 Anne Pemberton Student Research and Creativity Award Winner

James Covial, a UNCW senior expecting to graduate in May 2026, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Anne Pemberton Student Research and Creativity Award.

Covial's project, "Dream Lounge: A Virtual Listening Experience," is a virtual reality program that allows users to experience music in immersive environments designed to reflect the nature of each song.

His work embodies the mission of the Anne Pemberton Award through a student-centered, practice-based exploration of mindfulness using immersive technology and library-supported research spaces. Covial combined self-directed learning and hands-on experimentation throughout the research process, leveraging the library not only as a source of information but as an active research environment — recruiting participants, gathering feedback and conducting demonstrations in library spaces.

His use of the Visualization and Analysis Lab (DH1072) and Event Space (DH1070) positioned the library as a collaborative research partner and creative laboratory. His project bridges artistic intuition and technical execution while remaining grounded in a concern for mental wellness and student experience.

"I am so humbled and grateful for this scholarship," Covial said. "This started off as an idea with no clue if it was even possible. Through the resources at the library, I was able to turn that dream into a reality. None of my research would have been possible without the incredible support from the UNCW Library. I plan to continue building Dream Lounge until it is ready to be released to the public and on the Steam Marketplace. The long-term dream is continuing to blend the beautiful experience of music with the infinite possibilities of virtual worlds."