March 11-15 ‘Scholars Week’ to showcase student research, creativity expos

Middle Tennessee State University’s Scholars Week, its annual research and creative activity exposition, will take place from March 11-15 this year in multiple presentation and performance awards across campus, culminating in an awards ceremony in the Student Union Ballroom on Friday, March 15. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

The Blue Raider community will be welcomed back from Spring Break with the 18th annual Office of Research and Sponsored Program’s “Scholars Week” research and creative activity exposition full of presentations, performances, awards and more.

March 11-14 will feature events hosted by multiple departments and colleges — such as the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, the College of Education and others — with all details available at https://mtsu.edu/scholarsweek/index.php under the “College Events” tab.

Katie Medrano

The celebration of university scholarship will culminate March 15 with the universitywide exposition in the Student Union Ballroom, kicking off at 10 a.m. with poster presentations followed by a catered Italian lunch, musical performances, more presentations and a 2:30 p.m. closing ceremony.

“I am absolutely thrilled … that we have over 175 poster presentations lined up for the Scholars Week universitywide exposition,” said Katie Medrano, coordinator of the ORSP and lead event organizer. “It encourages me greatly to see the excitement and desire of the students to share their research with the campus community, and we are so glad to be able to host this event as an opportunity to do so…. We hope that the community can attend the main event and lead-up events as well.”

Eden Anderson, a biochemistry student who is the Scholars Week ambassador for MTSU’s student research group and the Scholars Week Committee Chair, said everyone should attend the event.

“It gives everyone a chance to glimpse into what other students have been working on,” Anderson said. “In college, we get so wrapped up in what we are doing (that) we forget there is a whole campus filled with researchers, performers and artists.

“Everyone should come to Scholar’s Week, even for a minute, to let these hard-working students know that we support them.”

Maverick Houston, a commercial songwriting student also on the committee, emphasized the benefit for students in attending the events.

“The events at Scholars Week are truly beneficial for students,” Houston said. “They learn what it means to take hold of their education in their own hands and make the most of their efforts toward academics.”

Learn more about all events and opportunities at the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at https://mtsu.edu/research/.

— Stephanie Wagner (Stephanie.Wagner@mtsu.edu)