[359] MTSU Wraps Up 'Great' Scholars Week 2012

For release: March30, 2012

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu


MTSU wraps up ‘great’ Scholars Week 2012

MURFREESBORO — MTSU celebrated research and scholarly efforts March 30 during the Scholars Day to conclude the sixth annual Scholars Week on campus.

A record 331 students presented posters during the Universitywide conclusion to Scholars Week, which was held on the Murphy Center track level. Also, 26 MTSU faculty and 15 centers from across campus participated.

“This gets bigger, more sophisticated and better organized every year,” said Dr. Mike Allen, dean of the College of Graduate Studies and vice provost for research.

“I’ve only seen two (Scholars Weeks) and both were great,” Provost Brad Bartel said. “The poster sessions were high-caliber. So many disciplines were represented. All in all, it was a great, great week.”

Monetary awards were presented to the first-, second- and third-place winners as selected by judges who are part of the University faculty and staff.

Dr. Amy Sayward, chair of the history department, has served four years as one of the many volunteer judges.

“This is wonderful because of the variety of projects,” she said. “(As a judge) it’s hard to compare and contrast those. They are different projects with different thought processes behind them.

“I love the idea that we come together as a university community. To know that we have this kind of research going on is why I volunteer.”

Former provost and now Department of Speech and Theatre faculty member Dr. Kaylene Gebert said Scholars Week “gets better every year. You see more students participating this year. I believe some of the labs were asking their students to come and take notes. There were a lot of students talking and taking notes, and saying, ‘This is cool.’ They were really engaged.”

“There is a lot of great work going on at MTSU in many different fields,” said Dr. Andrienne Friedli, chair and technical chair of the Scholars Week committee, chemistry faculty member and director for the Center for Advancement of Research Scholarship. “It’s and opportunity for students to showcase their accomplishments and see what others are doing. ”

During the week, all of the colleges within the University conducted their own Scholars Days. On March 26, Dr. Eugenie C. Scott, executive director of the National Science Education Center in Oakland, Calif., delivered a keynote address to a capacity crowd in the Business and Aerospace Building’s State Farm Lecture Hall.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS

Jordan Dodson photo

Sophomore Jordan Dodson, a sophomore chemistry major from Murfreesboro, explains his Scholars Week poster to sophomore physics major Jonathan Herlan of Limestone, Tenn., during the 2012 Scholars Day finale in Murphy Center. Dodson’s research poster is titled “A Computational Investigation of the Generalized Anomeric Effort.”
(MTSU News and Media Relations)

SAE Mini Baja photo

Cody Elliott, an MTSU sophomore aerospace maintenance management major from Lexington, Tenn., explains the SAE Mini Baja car to Dr. Norman Weatherby of the Department of Health and Human Performance during the 2012 Scholars Day finale March 30 at Murphy Center. Elliott is co-captain of this year's SAE Mini Baja team with David O'Brien and has been a team member two years.
(MTSU News and Media Relations)

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU celebrates its 100th anniversary, Pride, Tradition and Excellence are the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"!
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