More than 100 students will take part in ACU’s fourth-annual Undergraduate Research Festival on Monday in the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center.
“I am excited that we have a record number of students involved this year,” said Dr. Greg Powell, Director of Undergraduate Research and professor of chemistry.
The festival will highlight the research of many students across various disciplines and prizes will also be awarded for superior presentations in several categories.
“It is a really good experience; a lot of people don’t get that experience until they get to grad school,” said Mark Cullum, associate professor of history and Honors.
The festival expanded to invite students from local colleges and universities to present their projects.
“I think it’s just a great opportunity for the presenters to develop some communication and leadership skills,” Powell said.
Students’ presentations are two-fold. They will include an oral and visual portion.
“We’re looking for evidence that the student has carried out some investigation or created some new piece of art or literature that is a new distribution to their discipline,” Powell said.
Faculty members have mentored students while on their quest for information in preparation for the festival.
“While it’s a serious experience, it also prepares you to move on from ACU, onto other venues, such as outside the state or even the country”, said Joseph Austin, junior accounting and pre-law major from Houston.
Austin entered the festival with his research concerning the Internal Revenue Service’s relationship with religious freedom.
“It’s been a great experience learning about how the I.R.S. creates laws to govern all non-profits, specifically religious organizations and houses of worship.” Austin said.
This is Austin’s second year to enter the annual festival and has also participated in research festivals out side of the state.
“Research is never finished,” Austin said, “there is always more to learn.”
For more information about the festival and undergraduate research visit the Office of Undergraduate Research’s website at acu.edu/academics/undergraduateresearch, or contact Dr. Greg Powell.
