The research and creativity of Midwestern State University students and professors will be in the spotlight this week during MSU’s Celebration of Scholarship in the Clark Student Center.
The Celebration of Scholarship gives undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty an outlet to showcase their research and is a reflection of the research environment that MSU, one of 29 members of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, cultivates in its students. Most of the projects are pursued in collaboration with faculty researchers and creative artists, and build on what students learn in the classroom.
“We celebrate all forms of scholarship,” said Jesse Carlucci, assistant professor of geoscience. “Scholarship just means pursuit of scholarship in terms of data, research or creative expression and art.”
Events began Tuesday in the Clark Student Center with faculty and graduate presentations. An open panel discussion will be held at noon today in the CSC Atrium.
Carlucci said artistic expression is just as much scholarship as his presentation on the paleontological findings of the extinct trilobites, despite not being conveyed the same way.
“When you think about it, what is an art professor’s research?” Carlucci asked. “It’s making art and being active in their field, just like any other professor.”
Carlucci said the event is a great opportunity for students to see work and research in majors besides their own, and that there is something there for everyone.
“Someone in history or science might never get to see the work of the geoscience department otherwise,” Carlucci, who represented the college of science and mathematics during Tuesday’s graduate and faculty presentations, said. “It’s like cross-pollination. If you’re interested, there is all kinds of stuff to see.”
Magaly Rincon-Zachary, professor of biology and director of undergraduate research, helped organize the Undergraduate Research Forum that will take place Thursday.
“It impacts the students so much,” Rincon-Zachary said. “It is a tremendous learning experience. Some students have told me that they learn more from this than from their classes.”
Rincon-Zachary said the forum will leave a lasting impact on any students who attend.
“What is an experience that you would remember?” Rincon-Zachary asked. “Sitting in class for eight hours a day? Probably not. But one of these presentations, or a conference, maybe you will remember an experience like that.”
The Celebration of Scholarship event happens every semester, and has been continuously growing in numbers each time it’s hosted. In the past, the undergraduate portion of the event had around 40 presentations and 90 student participants, but has grown this semester to about 70 presentations and around 180 participating students.
“More and more students are getting involved with their majors, and they have more research to show off.”
The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum begins 9 a.m. Thursday with oral presentations through 12:55 p.m. in CSC Comanche and Shawnee Theater. Poster presentations run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the CSC Atrium.
Events conclude with an awards ceremony and wind ensemble concert 7:30 p.m. in Akin Auditorium.
