Apr 24, 2026 | Education
Baker University Celebrates Student Research & Creativity at Annual Scholars Symposium
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. (April 23, 2026) – Each spring, the Scholars Symposium brings the Baker University campus together for one of its most meaningful academic traditions: a full-day celebration of undergraduate research, creativity, and scholarly achievements.
Held on the Baldwin City campus, the symposium highlights the depth and diversity of student work across disciplines, from the sciences and business to the arts, humanities, and education. Throughout the day, Baker students shared original research, creative projects, and performances with peers, faculty, and guests in a dynamic, interactive setting.
Photo by: Connor Olson
The event reflects Baker’s commitment to hands-on learning and close faculty mentorship. At Baker, students aren’t just studying their fields, they are actively contributing to them, working alongside professors to develop research and explore new ideas.
The Scholars Symposium featured a range of events: panel sessions, research presentations, posters and displays, lightning talks, and awards. From scientific research and data analysis to creative writing, visual arts, and applied projects, the symposium captures the breadth of the undergraduate experience at Baker. The day also included a campuswide poster and display fair, where attendees can engage directly with students, ask questions, and learn more about the inspiration and process behind each project.
Baker students were recognized for their efforts with awards following the symposium:
- Best Poster: Meredith Brown, “Think Twice before Clicking “BUY”: Testing the Hypocrisy Paradigm”
- Lightning Talk 1st Place: Michael Houser, “Stewards of Sacred Land”
- Lightning Talk 2nd Place: Meg Qualls, Isaac Hudson, Skyler Holmes, Rene Lyons, “How We Grew our Campus Newspaper into Something Students Actually Read”
- Lightning Talk 3rd Place: Iwan Roberts, “How Close is too Close? Wind Turbines and Housing Prices in the Midwest”
This year’s symposium touched on a multitude of panel topics, including examinations of historical and literary texts, building better behaviors, finding connection through J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, and lessons in professionalism and performance, to name a few. Posters also displayed a range of unique and interesting topics, from community health, emoji use, emotional regulation of athletic performance, impacts of AI chatbots, religious differences and favorability, effects of pesticides on worms, and photography displays, to name a few.
Photo by: Logan Reynolds
The Scholars Symposium extends further than showcasing schoolwork. It serves as a moment of recognition with departments announcing awards and scholarships throughout the day, celebrating academic excellence, leadership, and delivering contributions within each program.
These honors underscore the impact of student achievement and the support of faculty who help guide and mentor students along their journeys. Together through research, creativity, and collaboration, the event celebrated students’ accomplishments and prepared them for what comes next. Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the 2026 Baker University Scholars Symposium!
