Research and creative activity conference held Monday

Almost 200 students participated in the first UA Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference on Monday, giving posters and oral presentations to faculty judges that demonstrated their research in a variety of areas.

The inaugural event aimed to give students experience in defending or performing their work before judges, and winners received cash prizes and other awards.

Jimmy Williams, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a member of the undergraduate research/creative activities committee, said the conference builds on a program his college has hosted for the past four years.

This year, the program was expanded to include all UA colleges, as proposed by the Office of Academic Affairs.

However, Williams said the concept was not new to students of other colleges, and students outside of A&S were already using the model of making posters and presentations prior to the conference.

"Even though they might not have it, that doesn't mean their students weren't presenting at other places," he said.

Judy Bonner, UA executive vice president and provost, cited the importance of participating in creative activities and research in a press release.

"Increasingly, participation in original research and creative activities is becoming a hallmark of the undergraduate experience at the University of Alabama," Bonner said. "Our faculty constantly seeks new opportunities to engage our undergraduate students in quality research, discovery and creative endeavors that will define their academic experience at the Capstone."

Williams and David Francko, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the graduate school, chaired the committee for the conference, which was made up of representatives of all UA colleges, as well as representatives from the Honors College, University Libraries, McNair Scholars, Capstone International, the Provost's office and the Office of Research.

Williams said the event went well and he looks forward to next year's conference.

"We think that it's going to become a part of the University," he said.

First, second and third-place prizes were given to the winners of each participating college, school and program. Each first-place winner received $250, second place received $100 and third place received $50.

The Global Certificate Program awarded a book scholarship to the winner of the best creative work, and the College of Engineering will provide travel funding for the winners to present at a meeting.