Nearly 500 students will showcase their intellectual and artistic prowess Friday, May 12, as part of the 27th annual Steinmetz Symposium.
The all-day event begins at 9 a.m. and includes an impressive lineup of oral presentations, poster sessions and exhibits highlighting student research as well as a dance performance, musical concerts, an art exhibit and other activities.
Hands-on, faculty-mentored undergraduate research is a staple of the Union experience. Classes are canceled to allow parents, faculty, staff and students to view projects from every discipline.
Visitors can shuffle between numerous academic buildings to sample presentations.
“Students and faculty look forward to this day every year,” said Rebecca Cortez, associate professor of mechanical engineering and director of undergraduate research. “It’s a chance to show off the academic and artistic talents in our community with family, friends and peers.”
At 4 p.m., more than 80 performers will take to the stage in the Nott Memorial for the Lothridge Festival of Dance, presented each year at the Steinmetz Symposium.
Faculty and student choreographers as well as dance club leaders will showcase their skills in this hour-long show.
Featured are works from the Winter Dance Concert, “Beyond Steps,” by dance minors Emily Alston ’19, Ayanah Dowdye ’18, Lily Herout ’17, Grace Kernohan ’17, J’Kela Smith ’17 and Maddison Stemple-Piatt ’17.
In addition, students from the Bhangra, Hip-Hop, Step and African Dance clubs, Terra Dance, the Dance Team and Just Queenin will dazzle with their unique moves.
Also, the annual Visual Arts Student Art Exhibit, on view in the Feigenbaum Center for Visual Arts, features the most accomplished student works completed during the 2016-17 academic year.
Curated by Visual Arts faculty members, the exhibit includes works from classes in photography, sculpture/3D design, digital art, painting, drawing and printmaking.
Back again this year is a reception for student presenters and their families, faculty mentors, alumni and guests. This will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Lally Reading Room in Schaffer Library. There will be a cash bar and light refreshments.
One addition to the reception: a poster display featuring the work of students who presented their research at professional society meetings. During the course of the academic year, the undergraduate research program supports more than 70 students in presenting their research at regional, national and international conferences and competitions.
The day wraps up with a concert featuring the Union College Choir, under the direction of Dianne McMullen, professor of music, and the Union College and Community Orchestra, conducted by Hilary Tann, the John Howard Payne Professor of Music. The concert is set for 8 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.
The Steinmetz Symposium is named for Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865-1923), who taught electrical engineering and applied physics at Union. Also chief consulting engineer for the General Electric Company, he was widely regarded as America’s leading electrical engineer.
For a complete schedule, including a list of presentations, visit the Steinmetz website.
The symposium coincides with Prize Day, which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday in Memorial Chapel, followed immediately by a reception on the Reamer Campus Center patio. Students are honored for achievement in academics, research, service and governance.
Among the top awards given are the Josephine Daggett Prize to the senior for conduct and character and the Frank Bailey (1885) Prize to the senior who has rendered the greatest service to the College in any field.
Check back later for a list of winners.
Also, the Union College Jazz Ensemble, led by Professor Tim Olsen, will perform at 2 p.m. in Emerson Auditorium.