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Spring 2023 Academic Symposium Captivates Campus
Students shared capstone academic experiences with the campus community during the day-long event
University News | April 27, 2023
Held near the end of each semester, Academic Symposium is a signature VWU event coordinated by VWU’s Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery. The day brings the campus community together to celebrate the achievement of students completing a variety of academic experiences, including research, internships, performance, and global engagement.
The spirit of the liberal arts was on display throughout the day. The comprehensive event promotes advanced level thinking and intellectual discourse among various academic disciplines, as well as the exchange of ideas and inspiration that results from the public presentation of exceptional student endeavors.
This year’s spring symposium began with premier student speakers who presented their research and projects in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Premier speakers included: Ethan Labelle, Jack Palmer, Ariana Fletter, Breana Mahoney, and Abby Peterson.
A deliberative dialogue session on “Climate Choices: How Should We Meet the Challenges of a Warming Planet” followed in Hofheimer Library. The student-moderated discussion was hosted by the Robert Nusbaum Center.
Sessions throughout the day in the Lighthouse Commons included “Communication Internship Presentations,” Experiences Studying Abroad,” and “GWSS Senior Capstone Presentations on Feminism and Technology.”
Greer Environmental Sciences Center was the setting for “Brock School Presentations” and student presentations on “Field Studies in Puerto Rico,” “Globalization and Its Discontents: Human Trafficking and Globalization,” and “Field Experiences in Education.”
“Music Area Recitals” and “Theatre Senior Capstone Presentations” were held in Hofheimer Theatre, while art majors hosted visitors to the Neil Britton Gallery to share their displayed works as part of the Senior Art Exhibition.
An Honors Convocation was held at 2:30 p.m. in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Special awards were presented to outstanding students by the VWU faculty.
The 2023 Spring Academic Symposium concluded with an Academic Fair and Poster Session, where students shared their research and internship experiences, in the Cunningham Multi-Activity Center of the Jane P. Batten Student Center.
Learn more about the Academic Symposium and The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery.