Every spring students from various departments step away from the fray of pre-final exam chaos and put on their dress suits and high heels to present at the Scholarship Symposium.
The symposium is an opportunity for students to gain experience in the realm of public speaking, to add a coveted bullet point to the post-college resume and to showcase the research they have diligently done in the classroom setting.
“The symposium is a space for undergraduate students to begin developing their professional presentation skills,” said Phillip Ryan, professor of language. “Regardless of a student’s long-range plans, presentations—and especially of one’s own research—are often an integral part of a professional life-cycle.”
Sponsored by the Union University Research Program, the symposium is a university-wide event with the purpose of disseminating scholarship.
All undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to participate by presenting collaborative, innovative scholarly projects.
“Our hope is that through these experiences our students will develop a greater love for learning and research as well as enjoy the opportunity for engagement and dialogue with the greater campus community on issues of mutual interest,” said James Patterson, associate dean of the School of Theology & Missions.
This year, students will be presenting from the departments of Nursing, Engineering, Language, Art, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Psychology, Digital Media Studies, Biology, Business, Computer Science, Intercultural Studies, English, Music, Math and Theology and Missions.
This year’s symposium will be held Tuesday, April 26 from 12:30 to 5 p.m.
The majority of presentations will be held in Grants Event Center, but students will also present in Jennings Hall, White Hall, Penick Academic Complex, Blasingame Academic Complex and the Language Lab.
All students, faculty, friends and family are encouraged to attend in support of the effort the presenting students have invested in the research they are sharing.
“Research presented at the symposium involves a depth and rigor that is beyond what is covered in a traditional classroom setting,” said Andrew Tiger, professor of management. “These research experiences are often the catalyst for students to find what they really want to do. As faculty, I get the opportunity to share my excitement for my discipline with students.”