Graduate Professional Council sponsors research and creative activities forum

There were more participants this year than in the past three years.

By Emily Roman

Published March 11, 2008

MU graduate students were given a chance to present their individual research to contest judges at the 25th annual Research and Creative Activities Forum sponsored by the Graduate Professional Council at the Life Sciences Center on Saturday.

GPC Publicity and Programming Coordinator Angela AuBuchon said the main goal of the event was “to bring in impartial critics so that graduate students can get feedback like they would for a conference or a professional job talk.”

The event began at 9 a.m. and contestants were judged until 4 p.m.

There was then a break until the banquet and awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. where GPC announced this year’s winners.

“It is one of the longest running events GPC has sponsored,” GPC President Jennifer Holland said. “It is a good opportunity to share experience and findings with others.”

Holland is a graduate student in biology.

Seventeen judges from around the Midwest evaluated 77 MU graduate students’ work.

Some of the judges have participated in the event in the past and others are new, AuBuchon said.

The contestants were judged on specific criteria including a clear and logical goal, material and data, theory and methodology, conclusion, knowledge, and presentation.

The judging methods are vague because the presentations and research of each graduate student is so diverse, AuBuchon said.

There were six categories in which the students could present their research and data: behavioral science, biological science, social science and law, humanities and creative activities, physical science and veterinary, and medical and health science.

Graduate student Katharine Zimolzak presented the 1944 film version of “Jane Eyre” as a film adaptation.

She discussed body theory and how the adaptation does or does not deal with the body theory.

“I loved it,” Zimolzak said. “I got some really fantastic input.”

Zimolzak said that the judges asked some great questions that would help her with her thesis.

AuBuchon said it was a great opportunity “for students to get world feedback.”

Each person presented in a room with two judges. Presentations were limited to ten to fifteen minutes and five minutes for questions from the judges.

In the past, only the graduate student and the judges were allowed to view the presentation, but this year GPC opened it up to the public, allowing anyone to see any of the presentations, AuBuchon said.

The top three finishers received cash prizes. First place winners received $250, second place winners received $100, and third place winners received $75, AuBuchon said.

In addition to these prizes, the European Union Center also offers two $250 scholarships. To be eligible for a scholarship, students had to sign up to give their presentations to judges within the organization.

The judges picked the person who showed the greatest “possibility for trans-Atlantic appeal,” AuBuchon said.

Holland said there were more participants this year than in the past three years and possibly in the history of the event.