The sixth annual Austin College Student Scholarship Conference will be held March 23-24, in conjunction with the College inauguration of President Steven P. O’Day, J.D. All events are free and open to the public.
The Student Scholarship Conference showcases student-faculty collaborative projects and independent student projects that feature outstanding academic endeavors. Sponsored by the Robert and Joyce Johnson Center for Faculty Development and Excellence in Teaching and CREATE, the event showcases students’ work in a manner that’s consistent with their discipline and suited to their form of scholarship. CREATE is Austin College’s Center for Research, Experiential, Artistic, and Transformative Education.
One-hundred sixty students are participating throughout the conference that includes poster presentations, dramatic and musical performances, honors theses presentations, and panel discussions. The conference has been organized by coordinator Renee Countryman, associate professor of psychology and psychology department chair, and associate coordinator Andrea Overbay, assistant professor of mathematics.
Conference Schedule and Inauguration Events:
Thursday, March 22
6:30 p.m. – Inauguration Dessert Reception, open to the community
Wright Campus Center, Living Room
7 p.m. – Elevator Speech Competition
Wright Campus Center, Living Room
Friday, March 23
11:30 a.m. – Inauguration Campus Picnic
Wright Campus Center, North Lawn
1:15 p.m.– Student Poster Session
Wright Campus Center, Mabee Hall
3:30 – Oral Presentations Session I
Wright Campus Center, Various Rooms: Honors Theses
5 p.m. – Inauguration Ceremony
Wynne Chapel
6:30 p.m. – Inauguration Reception
Wright Campus Center, 2nd Floor and Mabee Hall
7:30 p.m. – Student Art Exhibit with Dessert Reception
Ida Green Communication Center, Ida Green Art Gallery
9 p.m. – Improv Performance
Ida Green Communication Center, Ida Green Theatre
9 p.m. – Star Party
IDEA Center, Adams Observatory
Saturday, March 24
8 a.m. – Oral Presentations Session II
Wright Campus Center, Various Rooms; Panels
9 a.m. – Oral Presentations Session III
Wright Campus Center, Various Rooms
10:30 a.m. – Brunch in Dining Hall11 a.m. – Student Honors Panel with President Steven P. O’Day
Wright Campus Center, Living Room
Noon – Student Poster Session
Wright Campus Center, Mabee Hall
2 p.m. – Oral Presentations Session IV
Wright Campus Center, Various Rooms
3:30 p.m. – Student/Faculty Collaborative Music Recital
Craig Recital Hall
4:30 p.m. – Bilingual A.C.T. Performance
Wright Campus Center, Room 231
Representatives from each academic division are members of the planning committee and have been instrumental in the selection of work and preparation of students. Representatives involved are Humanities: Tom Blake, assistant professor of English; Kirk Everist, associate professor of theatre; Ricky Duhaime, professor of music; and Mark Monroe, associate professor of art; Sciences: John Richardson, associate professor of biochemistry, and David Whalen, assistant professor of physics; and Social Sciences: Audrey Flemming, assistant professor of political science; and Ashley Tharayil, assistant professor of economics.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 40 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of approximately 1,275 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.