The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Tony Astran

A few years ago, when a student told Jill Singer she didn’t realize how talented her fellow students were until she attended the Student Research and Creativity Celebration, Singer knew the event had become an important academic tradition. Now in its 11th consecutive year, the 2009 celebration takes place on campus tomorrow and Saturday, May 1 and 2.

President Muriel Howard and Provost Dennis Ponton will host the opening reception from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Friday in E. H. Butler Library. Research papers and poster sessions will be presented Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Butler Library, while demonstrations, performances, and artistic events will take place across campus.

Paper presentations will be divided by academic groupings into six time slots throughout the day; each will last 15 to 20 minutes with an opportunity for questions at the end. Eight hour-long poster sessions, each with a diverse representation of disciplines, will take place concurrently with the oral presentations.

Singer, professor of earth sciences and science education and director of the Undergraduate Research Office, said 259 abstracts are included in this year’s celebration—the largest number ever and up more than 15 percent from last year. Nearly 450 students will participate.

Posters compose the majority of research on display during the celebration, which Singer said is indicative of the format’s growing popularity and credibility.

“The poster format provides a great exchange between presenters and audience members,” she said. “We continue to offer a variety of presentation formats to be inclusive and as welcoming as possible for all disciplines.”

She said the celebration acts as an “umbrella” for many events, including art displays and dance recitals. The diversity of activities helps boost intellectual conversation. “Students who might not have the chance to work side by side often end up sharing ideas and experiencing different ways of thinking,” she said.

Singer considers the celebration an opportunity for students to make serious presentations. “Students will experience what it is to be a professional in their disciplines,” she said. “They will gain confidence and also have the opportunity to compare their work with others.”

She said students shouldn’t wait until their projects are fully completed to present, as the celebration can be a “testing ground” for ongoing research. “Students can present work in progress and identify places where further study is needed,” Singer said. “They also get valuable feedback from people who attend their presentation. For work that is then completed, we encourage the students to present finished work the following year.”

More than 100 faculty members are mentors to this year’s student presenters. Singer encourages all members of the Buffalo State community to attend the celebration. Some faculty encourage student attendance by offering students extra credit for writing summaries of presentations they saw.

“Everyone likes a good audience,” she said. “The celebration is a fun time for all and shows the ‘beat’ of the campus. People who come don’t ever seem to leave disappointed. There’s a lot to discover about all the great things our students are doing.”

A sample of events follows. A complete program is available on the Undergraduate Research Office Web site. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.

Friday, May 1
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Upton Gallery
Artwork exhibition by art education students

6:00 to 6:15 p.m.
E. H. Butler Library
Student marimba ensemble performance

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Upton Hall, Gallery 234
“Body-casting” by Teri Drennan, senior design and art education student

7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall
Zombie Loves Vampire, student-produced short film by Jason Klinger, senior theater student

8:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Upton Hall, Warren Enters Theatre
The World Within, dance concert featuring a collaboration between theater and design (note: ticketed event)

Saturday, May 2
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
E. H. Butler Library
Oral paper presentations and poster sessions

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Campbell Student Union Quad
Demonstrations by mechanical engineering technology students (mini baja vehicle) and design students (ceramics)

1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
E. H. Butler Library 134
Book signing by Hank Nuwer, ’68, distinguished alumnus, and Fraser Drew, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor emeritus of English