Research Week

May 29, 2019 • Abby B.

Here at Liberty University, we know how to conquer on the courts AND in the classrooms.

Research Week is a five-day celebration of academic projects, posters, and presentations completed by undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. students. The library transformed into a scholarly carnival on a Monday morning as over sixty massive posters appeared around the first and second floors. Scholars in business professional attire milled around, reviewing their notes and preparing for the judges.

After tasty hors d’oeuvres and a keynote address on imagination and creativity in research, the poster session began. As judges and students visited each poster, presenters summarized their research and answered questions. My team and I were visited by a judge, friends who came to support us, and random students who were interested in learning more about our research. Even though the session finished on the first day, the posters are displayed all whole week long.

On Thursday afternoon two students presented their artistic pieces in the Concert Hall, and at 2:30pm the 3 Minute Thesis Competition began! Awards were given to top projects, and for many students, this week signifies the end of the academic year.

I’ve always admired Research Week, and I was honored to be part of it this year! My friends and I had completed a group project last fall, and our professor encouraged us to expand the assignment and submit it to Research Week. With a little extra work and a whole lot of Chick-fil-A, we created our poster and got it accepted! Presenting at Research Week was the cherry on top of a great spring semester, and it was such a blessing to be honored for our diligence in the classroom! If you ever get the chance to participate in Research Week, take it. I’m already looking forward to next year!