April 04, 2019
Student creative, research forum to feature undergrad and graduate projects
The campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale is brimming with research and creative activities conducted by its students, both graduate and undergraduate.
The university will recognize and celebrate those many efforts during the Student Creative Activities and Research Forum, set for Monday, April 8, at the Student Center ballrooms.
Undergrad, graduate forums combined this year
James Garvey, vice chancellor for research, said the university is combining the undergraduate and graduate forums this year into one event because undergraduate and graduate education are synergistic, with students learning much from each other,
“Combining the two events into a single celebration allows students at all levels – as well as faculty – to experience the full depth of diverse research and creative activities occurring at the university,” Garvey said. “This also reduces logistic challenges because we can lean on both our graduate and undergraduate students to participate in research communication and support each other during the forum and then more importantly when they return to the lab, studio, or wherever they are creating new scholarship.”
A day of celebrations
All students engaged in any type of scholarly activities, research or creative activities were invited to present a poster sharing their work at the forum, with more than 120 projects now entered.
Following the forum, Chancellor John M. Dunn and Garvey will give remarks and present awards for the first, second and third place in the undergraduate and graduate divisions.
The event, which is free and open to the public, kicks off at 8 a.m. with students checking in, setting up and displaying their posters. Judging begins a 9 a.m.
The poster presentation sessions begin at 11 a.m. with two students performing a song from a student creative activities production titled “BARE” on the stage in Ballroom B.
This is SIU
The campus community and public is encouraged to attend the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when students will be available to answer questions about their efforts.
SIU has long been a strong supporter of students being directly involved in creative activities and research, Garvey said.
“Student research, discovery and creation are at the heart of what SIU does as a research intensive institution,” he said. “This event provides a cross section of the many exciting activities occurring on campus.”
Dunn and Garvey will begin the awards ceremonies at 3 p.m.
Forum is critical part of learning
The forum gives students a chance to apply what they learn in the classroom while learning new things and creating novel works, which in turn demonstrates how they can critically and creatively approach the world, Garvey said.
“Research is what makes us a unique institution for our size and location,” he said. “This is an opportunity to celebrate our special qualities and fantastic discoveries.”