Students at Grand Valley State University will get the opportunity to show off their scholarly research and creative projects at the sixth annual Student Scholarship Day, a daylong event held on Wednesday, April 11 to spotlight student achievements.
Growing numbers are taking advantage of the opportunity. About 500 students will give 280 presentations during this year's Student Scholarship Day ¿ a 20 percent increase in participation from last year's event. Similarly, last year's participation was up 18 percent over 1999 numbers.
It's very much a student-focused day, said Neal Rogness, event coordinator. It provides an opportunity for students to share their accomplishments and for the university to take pause and appreciate various research and other creative endeavors that students have been involved in over the year. The quality and breadth of their presentations are amazing.
Presentations run the gamut from studies on the need for technology in Michigan schools and on the prevalence of diabetes in overweight adults to analyses of Ottawa County's wild turkey habitat and beach sand from around the world. All academic disciplines are represented, including two music performances. They will be featured throughout the day as follows:
¿ Oral presentations: 9-11:15 a.m. and 1:20-7 p.m. in classrooms on
the first and second floors of Padnos Hall;
¿ Poster presentations:
9-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. in the Henry Hall Atrium;
¿
Music-related performances: two presentations, at 1:20 and 1:40 p.m.
in the Cook-DeWitt Center.
Synopses of presentations and a detailed schedule can be viewed at www.gvsu.edu/ssd. Following are a few examples of student presentations:
The Status of Uninsured Children in Kent County
¿ A poster project presented by five senior nursing students with the aim to increase public awareness about the problem and provide resources for families with uninsured children. Participating students are:Karen Schueneman, from New Baltimore; Tammy Obreiter, from Hastings; Tracy Texter, from Middleville; Shelly Taylor, from Holland; and Kim Marvin, from Lowell.
It's More than a Clock
¿ Chemistry major Jason Buckley will provide historical perspective and demonstrate playing techniques on the carillon. Buckley, from St. Clair Shores, Mich., is in his third year of studying the carillon and performs regularly on GVSU's Cook and Beckering instruments, located in bell towers on the Allendale and Grand Rapids campuses. He will give his presentation at 1:40 p.m. in the Cook-DeWitt Center.Perceptions of Grand Haven, Mich., as a Tourist Destination among Detroit Metropolitan Area Residents
¿ Marketing students' objective was to develop strategies for the Grand Haven Spring Lake Area Visitors Bureau to promote the area to affluent metropolitan Detroit residents. Sixty lengthy telephone interviews were conducted and analyzed using statistical analysis software. Participating students are:Mario Savone, from Lincoln Park; Kirsten Lawson, Auburn Hills; Nicole Neeb, Boyne City; Ariane Watkins, Detroit; Michael Maitrott, Clarkston; and Dave Radel, from Muskegon.
