EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Students, faculty, staff, and the general public will convene for the 42nd Undergraduate Symposium from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday, March 25. This historic event celebrating undergraduate research and creative projects will occur in-person at the EMU Student Center, located at 900 Oakwood St. in Ypsilanti.

Novelist Bethany Ball, an alumna of EMU, will kick off the Undergraduate Symposium at 8:30 a.m. serving as this year’s Dennis M. Beagen Keynote Speaker.

Student research and creative projects are the central focus of this event, covering topics ranging from increasing safety in self-driving cars, reducing the risk of stroke in specific populations, exploring the effects of teaching the German language in early education, and creating quality animation with low-cost software.

Attendees have the opportunity to participate in poster sessions and oral presentations. In addition, the event features the Crossing Lines Design Expo, which serves as a gallery space for students to display visually creative projects such as interior design, 2D and 3D art, simulation animation gaming, and furniture design, among others.

The Symposium was one of the first in the nation, beginning in 1981. The first annual event was held on April 3, 1981, featuring 17 students and 19 faculty members from nine College of Arts and Sciences departments.  Since its inception, the Symposium has hosted over 8,500 undergraduates.

During the Undergraduate Symposium, the EMU Student Center Lot will offer free parking to the public. Masks and university COVID-19 guidelines will remain in place. 

See the video to get a sneak peek of what to expect at this year’s Symposium.  For more information on the 42nd Undergraduate Symposium, visit emich.edu/symposium or contact event coordinator Amy Bearinger at emu_ugs@emich.edu. 
 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral, and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences, and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors, and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.