Thursday, April 21, 2011

Tower Day puts student research, creativity in spotlight

Tower Day at Columbus State University on April 12 was truly an extraordinary event.

The annual showcase of undergraduate research and creative endeavors is the cornerstone of our Academic Week of Excellence. Students from across the disciplines present their scholarly activities and, in doing so, inspire others.  Tower Day is sponsored by the CSU Honors Program.

I attended the opening colloquium kicked off by Provost Tom Hackett and Dr. Cindy Henning, Honors Program director. I had the pleasure of hearing presentations by Dr. Stephanie DaSilva in psychology, on engaging undergraduates in research, and by 2003 biology graduate Mary Hill Johnson, now the assistant director of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, who provided an alumni perspective on undergraduate research.

Our Schuster Student Success Center and Davidson Student Center were filled with research presentations and exhibits. Every student project enjoyed the support of a faculty sponsor, and this truly reflects the power of undergraduate research in engaging faculty and students. Later in the week, student exhibits celebrating writing were presented in the multipurpose room of the new Student Recreation Center. These projects focused on intensive writing, also supported by faculty, and were equally impressive. What a great experience it is for students to commit to a semester or, in some cases, a year of research that results in truly exceptional presentations.

No comments:

Post a Comment

2011 Columbus State University