EOU’s Spring Symposium Showcases Student Excellence Across Diverse Disciplines

EOU’s Spring Symposium Showcases Student Excellence Across Diverse Disciplines

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University’s Spring Symposium took place on the Eastern Oregon University (EOU) campus Wednesday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The annual Spring Symposium is a gathering where students present their scholarship. The event represents an opportunity for students to share their unique contributions to the disciplines they have been studying and to get an approximation of professional conference experience.  

This year’s presentations included anthropology, biology, chemistry, computer science, theatre, creative writing, education, health and human performance, mathematics, psychology, and rhetoric.

Approximately 140 students participated in 109 presentations. 

“I think we had a very successful event this year.  We had well over 100 EOU students present the fruits of their studies.  In addition, 34 high school students from the OTP (Oregon Teacher Pathway) program were on campus and gave presentations as part of the Symposium.  We had a wide array of academic disciplines represented,” Steve Tanner, Associate Professor of mathematics, said. “We even had a computer science student show off a Rubik’s cube-solving robot that he built himself using 3D printing technology.  There was something for everyone and there was an active buzz of discussion throughout the day.  It is encouraging and inspiring to see the products of our students’ hard work.”

The event featured EOU Poster Sessions in Loso Lobby following a presentation from Keynote speaker Ellie Justice titled, “Drowning Cats and Blind Puppies: Comparing the Lack of Equity in Shakespeare’s Othello to Cap and Trade Environmental Systems.” Justice unraveled the relationship between the humanities and natural resources/agricultural studies. Justice delved into the complexities of cap-and-trade systems, offering fresh insights and perspectives by using agriculture and natural resource sciences as a lens to examine literature.

The musical ensemble, 45th Parallel performed in McKenzie Theatre and student choir conductors led the EOU Chamber Choir.  Art Open Studios opened at 11 a.m. in the studios on the east side of the Gilbert Center where artists could connect with guests.