Spring Symposium brings campus together

Spring Symposium inspires, showcases undergraduate work at EOU

May 16, 2018 LA GRANDE, Ore. –  Is race car driving a sport? How have hops reclaimed their place in modern brewing? Does the Chameleon Effect influence likeability? What was the role of gender in WWII propaganda?

Undergraduate students at Eastern Oregon University have posed these, along with many other scholarly questions, and offer their findings at the 20th annual Spring Symposium on May 23 in Loso Hall.

Physical Activity and Health Assistant Professor Kyle Pfaffenbach chaired the event’s planning committee for the second consecutive year, and said he looks forward to showcasing an expanding variety of work.

“This event continues to grow, and has become a defining tradition at EOU,” he said. “It’s a special honor that students look forward to.”

Nearly 75 student projects will be on display in Loso Hall throughout the day, through panel presentations, a theatre performance, scholarly talks, research posters and open studios. The event will also include live musical performances at 12 p.m. in Mckenzie Theatre.

“The Spring Symposium is an opportunity for upperclassmen in all departments to showcase their work,” Pfaffenbach said. “We’re working to get every program on campus involved with the event.”

Lori Baird, event coordinator for the committee, and co-chair Alysia Cohen joined Pfaffenbach in working to boost campus-wide participation in Spring Symposium.

“It’s this coming together of individuals across the university to share their work and experience,” said Cohen, who also teaches in the Physical Activity and Health department.

An excerpt from the theatre department’s spring drama, “Bus Stop,” highlights student actors and stage technicians. Poster presentations will detail student research, while panel discussions range from coaching to visual literacy.

This celebration of creative, scholarly work by upperclassmen draws freshmen and sophomores to support their peers and explore the potential of their time at EOU.

“Our hope is that underclassmen come with a sense of curiosity and that they get inspired about what they can achieve,” Pfaffenbach said.

High school students in EOU’s Oregon Teacher Pathway Program also discover their potential and passions at the event. Almost 40 of them will present their own work at Spring Symposium, from 10:20 a.m. to 12:05 p.m., in Badgely Hall.

A bevy of EOU presentations will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Loso Hall’s auditoriums and classrooms. Doors open at 8 a.m., and opening ceremonies begin at 9:15 a.m.