Welcome, Baker Students

Are you working on a research project, creative endeavor, capstone, independent study, or scholarly collaboration you’re proud of? We invite you to showcase your work at this year’s Baker University Undergraduate Scholars Symposium, taking place on April 22.

The Scholars Symposium is an opportunity to share your research and creative work while engaging with faculty, peers, and the broader university community. Whether your work is in the sciences, arts, humanities, business, education, health, or spans multiple disciplines, we want to see it.

This event celebrates undergraduate scholarship in all its forms—and your work deserves to be seen.

Ways to Participate

Students may apply to present their work in one of the following formats:

10‑minute research or academic presentation
Poster presentation highlighting your research and findings
Creative display of art or media
Performance

Lightning Talk Competition

Can you explain your research clearly and compellingly in just 3 minutes using only 1 slide?

This year’s Scholars Symposium introduces the Lightning Talk Competition, a fast‑paced and engaging showcase featuring:

A panel of judges
Monetary prizes for top presentations
A chance to demonstrate your research and communication skills to a broad audience

If you’re passionate about your work and ready to make an impact quickly, this is your moment to shine.

Schedule of Events Wednesday, April 22

8:15 a.m.

Welcome

Opening remarks and welcome to the Undergraduate Scholars Symposium.
Location: Mabee 100

8:30–9:40 a.m.

Panel Session 1: Working Through the Written Word: Examinations of Historical & Literary Texts

Location: Mabee 100

Panel Session 2: Building Better Behaviors One Person at a Time

Location: Mabee 101

Panel Session 3: An Unexpected Party: Finding Connection through J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit

Location: Mabee 102

9:50–11:00 a.m.

Panel Session 4: Institutional Investigations & Reflections on Contemporary Issues

Location: Mabee 100

Panel Session 5: Honing Our Craft: Lessons in Professionalism & Performance

Location: Mabee 101

Business Blueprint Poster Session

Location: Mabee 406

11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Lightning Talk Competition

Fast‑paced research presentations judged by a panel.
Location: Rice Auditorium

Choir Performance

Featured musical performance.
Location: Rice Auditorium

Poster Session

Undergraduate research posters on display for open viewing.
Location: Collins Library

12:30–1:15 p.m.

All‑Campus Lunch

Join us for an all-campus lunch! No swipes needed.
Please note that lunch will be served in Collins Gym, and the cafeteria will be closed during normal lunch hours. Regular cafeteria service will resume at 3:00 PM.
Location: Collins Gym

1:15–2:00 p.m.

Awards Ceremony

Recognition of outstanding presentations and competition winners.
Location: Collins Gym

2:00–4:00 p.m.

Shaping Tomorrow: First Year Experience Prioritization

Interactive session focused on shaping and strengthening the First‑Year Experience.
Location: Collins Gym