UL System to Celebrate Research and Service
BATON ROUGE – University of Louisiana System faculty, staff and students will converge on North Louisiana for two days in March to celebrate undergraduate student research and service-learning. On March 17, the UL System’s sixth annual service-learning conference will be held on the campus of Grambling State University. The following day, March 18, Northwestern State University will host the first annual UL System Undergraduate Research Day.
“These are two important opportunities to showcase exceptional student learning experiences outside of the classroom,” said UL System President Randy Moffett. “Strong undergraduate research and service-learning programs are hallmarks of healthy regional universities. Not only do they provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge, they also instill important civic ideals while connecting to the community.”
WHAT: Sixth Annual UL System Service-Learning Conference
WHEN: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2011
WHERE: Favrot Student Union, Grambling State University, Grambling, Louisiana
MORE INFO: www.ulsystem.edu/conference
WHAT: First Annual UL System Undergraduate Research Day
WHEN: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, March 18, 2011
WHERE: Friedman Student Union, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana
MORE INFO: http://researchday.nsula.edu
Keynote speaker for the service-learning conference is Kenneth M. Reardon, a professor and Director of the Graduate Program in City and Regional Planning in the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Memphis. A nationally-renowned service-learning practitioner, Reardon serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Planning Literature and the Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning.
In addition to the keynote, there will be 18 breakout presentations showcasing diverse programs at the eight UL System universities. Persons interested in attending the service-learning conference must register online at www.ulsystem.edu/conference and pay a nominal fee of $30 ($15 for students) that will cover lunch and materials.
The UL System Undergraduate Research Day is free and open to the public. Attendees will have an opportunity to view over 30 different undergraduate student research projects ranging from basic and applied scientific research to artistic and literary expression. In addition to the student presentations, a special guest will be William Campbell, President-Elect of the Council on Undergraduate Research, a national organization representing over 900 colleges and universities. Campbell will share best practices in undergraduate research including creating and managing campus programs, mentoring students and supporting faculty.
A juried art exhibit will be held in conjunction with Research Day at the Orville Hanchey Gallery in the AA Fredricks Fine Arts Addition from February 28 to March 18. The Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Thirty-two graphic arts pieces were selected for display from 112 student submissions.
“These events further evidence the collaborative spirit amongst the eight universities in our system and demonstrate the value of our students’ educational experiences,” said Moffett.
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EIGHT UNIVERSITIES STRONG: The University of Louisiana System is the largest higher education system in the state enrolling over 83,000 students at Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
