The Research & Creative Works Symposium is a celebration of the work of SU students, faculty, and staff.  It provides opportunities for students to work closely with faculty conducting research, developing major projects, and showcasing their creative expression. The symposium highlights academic accomplishments across many different disciplines, encouraging the entire SU community as well as the general public to attend. Regular classes were even cancelled for the day so that all students and faculty could participate.

This year, Red McCombs kicked off the event with an inspirational speech to students. University President Edward Burger also welcomed the crowd, closing with a fitting quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”

“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”

This year’s symposium included 244 presenters mentored by 50 faculty and staff from different academic disciplines. Presentations were spread out over several locations across the campus with projects including poster presentations, faculty, student, and staff art exhibits and performances, faculty panel discussions, and presentations of faculty and student research. The diversity of offerings provides an opportunity for all attendees to engage in conversations on thought-provoking topics, to question our own perspectives, and to see the world with a multi-faceted view.

Dr. Julie Sievers, Director of Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship at SU directs the Research & Creative Works Symposium. She explains that the event supports the University’s goal to “empower students to think, create, and make meaning through intentional connections, innovative academic pursuits, and a vibrant residential community.” In addition to working on the projects, “the presenters also develop their communication skills and learn to engage with broader publics to whom their work matters.”

Congratulations to all the students, faculty, and staff who worked so hard to make this year’s Research & Creative Works Symposium a success!

For a complete list of projects presented at the Symposium you can view the abstracts here.