scholars symposium

Press release:

GCC students and faculty accomplish great things throughout the year. In an effort to recognize the great work and bright minds that the College has to offer, the Genesee Community College Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (CURCA) Committee invites the entire college community to the first Scholars' Symposium – a celebration of inquiry and scholarship – on Tuesday, March 29.

Students, faculty, staff, community leaders and friends, some from afar, will be sharing and demonstrating scholarly achievements in all disciplines through presentations, poster exhibits and performances.

"The Scholars Symposium is the opportunity to expand horizons, hone presentation skills and engage the collective brain power of Genesee Community College for all to enjoy and to appreciate," said JoNelle Toriseva, director of GCC's English, Communications and Media Arts, who is organizing the first-ever event.

All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit proposals to present their original work at the Scholars Symposium to the CURCA committee. The Scholar' Symposium Web site provides complete details along with an online submission opportunity. Go to: http://www.genesee.edu/home/events/scholars-symposium/.

Areas of presentation include the following 12 different options:

• Research - 15 minute oral presentation; 30 minute oral presentation

• Research Poster - Presenters prepare a 2-3 minute talk about their topic to share with interested parties. Presenters must stand/sit near poster for 60 minute session.

• Panel Discussion - 30 or 60 minutes

• Presentation of Experiential Education, Internships, Field Work, Travel - 15 minute descriptive oral presentation includes Q&A; or a poster/portfolio presentation

• Reading of Creative Work - 15 minute reading of poetry, prose, fiction or hybrid work

• Work in Progress Reading of Creative Work - 5 minute reading

• Studio/Visual Art - 15 minute oral presentation or poster

• Theatrical Performance

• Music Composition - 20 minute performance

• Dance Choreography - 20 minute performance

• Film Production/Theatrical Script - 20 minute performance

• PechaKucha - 7 minute oral presentation (20 PowerPoint slides for 20 seconds each)

All students must have a faculty or staff mentor, but sponsors are not required to co-present. All abstracts describing students' scholarly and/or creative projects must be submitted by Feb. 1. The Committee will review submissions Feb. 1 – March 7 and the schedule of presentations will be released on March 8.

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Columbia University professor, and historian Eric Foner, Ph.D, will deliver the event's keynote address. Regarded as the leading contemporary historian of the post-Civil War Reconstruction period, Foner is the recipient of many awards for history writing, and has written more than 20 books on the topic, including his newest "Gateway to Freedom, The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad."

This premiere Scholarship Symposium at GCC, which is to be held annually, is sponsored, in part, by a President's Innovation Award (PIA) which provides funding for innovative activities and projects that promote community involvement in the life of the College, stimulate student and community pride, or help establish pilot programs and initiatives with the potential for positive, long-term impact.

"We are excited that this initiative touches on all parts of the PIA program, and we believe the Scholar's Symposium will become a dynamic, sought-after and vibrant component to the College's annual academic activities," Toriseva said.

For specific information about the Scholars' Symposium contact Director of English, Communications and Media Arts JoNelle Toriseva. Her e-mail address is: jrtoriseva@genesee.edu, and her telephone: 585-343-0055, ext. 6627.