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30th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship

NMU CSS 2023

30th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship

NMU CSS 2023

30th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship

Overhead view of the Celebration of Student Scholarship 2024

30th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship

NMU CSS 2023

30th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship

Please join us at the 30th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship!

The 30th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026 all day in the Jamrich and Harden Halls.

The Celebration of Student Scholarship is an annual event held on the Northern Michigan University campus to recognize the scholarly activity of undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines. Students share their scholarly and creative work with the NMU and Marquette communities. The event is free and open to the public. Students interested in participating should speak with their faculty advisors for assistance in planning their submission.

In the past, this event was limited to research posters and 10-minute oral presentations. Last year, the event expanded to include student art work. For the 30th anniversary, we are looking to include as many different students from across campus as possible and are opening Celebration to other formats, including film and video, readings, round tables, performances, publications, artistic displays, and more.

This event is an important opportunity for student scholars to share their work in a way that is accessible to the general public. Our mission is to improve how we communicate about academic topics and ideas while recognizing the hard work done by NMU students under the guidance of faculty. Join us to discover and celebrate student scholarship. Unregistered vehicles affiliated with those attending Celebration are free to park on campus during the event.

Follow along with us in the 2026 PROGRAM or connect via 2026 LIVE STREAM.

General Timeline

DatesActivity
Fall 2025 semester and early Winter 2026Plan, seek guidance, ask questions
March 2026Workshops (abstracts, posters, presentations)
End MarchRegister for Celebration and submit abstract or statements of work (e.g., artist statement) - Deadline: Friday, March 27, by noon.
Early AprilPrint posters (see How to Submit for deadlines); prepare any items for display; practice performance / presentation.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026

1:00-4:00 p.m.-Posters are to be delivered to the Jamrich 1100 lobby

1:00-4:00 p.m.-Displays are to be delivered to Harden Hall 

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Celebration!!  General schedule below. For a more detailed schedule, please reference the digital program linked above. 

Opening Ceremony - 9 a.m.
Jamrich 1100

  • Welcome Address
    Dr. Susy Ziegler, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies and Research

  • Land Acknowledgement
    Mr. Dale Kapla, Associate Provost

  • History and Details
    Ms Tesse Sayen, Director - Research Development and Sponsored Programs 

  • Recognitions
    Dr. Susy Ziegler, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies and Research

  • Introduction
    Dr. Chris Olsen, President of Northern Michigan University

Oral Presentations 10:00-11:50 a.m.
Harden Atrium 221 10:00-11:50 a.m.
Jamrich Hall 1320 10:00-11:50 a.m.

Lunch Break 12:00-1:00 p.m. 
Art and Design Lobby 

Oral Presentations 1:00-2:50 p.m.
Harden Atrium 221 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Jamrich Hall 1320 1:00-2:50 p.m. 

Closing Reception - 3:00 p.m. 
Jamrich 1100

Three-Minute Presentations
Ms. Dana Jackson-Hardwick, Director - Office of Undergraduate Research
Ms. Sarah Amidon, Assistant Director - Graduate Student Affairs

Thank you
Ms. Tesse Sayen, Director - Research Development and Sponsored Programs

Closing Remarks
Dr. Susy Ziegler, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies and Research

Student Presentations

  • 3MT Winner – Heteroglossia, Momfluencers, and Social Media Pedagogy
    Sarah O’Neill, Graduate Studies – English
    Thesis Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Wetherbee

  • 3MT People’s Choice Presentation – Does it Take Two to Tango: Manipulation of A FRET-Based Biosensor for Glioma
    Zoe Moreno, Graduate Student – Integrated Biosciences
    Thesis Advisor: Dr. Matthew Jennings

  • Title of 3MP Winner – The habitat selection and movement of juvenile burbot
    Lars Anderson, Biology – Fisheries & Wildlife Management
    Faculty Mentor (s): Dr. Jill Leonard

  • Performance by NMU Chamber Ensemble – Canzone No. 4 for Sextet by Giovanni Gabrielli; Menuetto from Quintetto No. 2 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Larghetto from Quintetto No. 9 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Bittersweet Symphony by Richard Ashcroft
    Logan Standish, Sophomore – Biology, Pre-Dental Concentration
    Samantha Hewitt*, Freshman – Music Education
    Gavin McFadden, Senior – Music Education
    Elena Henry, Sophomore – Biology
    Maya Pierce, Sophomore – Biology, Zoology Concentration
    Nathanial Long, Sophomore – Music
    Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Barbara Rhyneer

More detailed information about the application process and sponsorship will be provided later in fall semester. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact studentcelebrate@nmu.edu.

Scholarly activity or scholarship is considered any intentional and/or systematic creative inquiry required to create published work, which includes performances, artwork, creative writing, and so much more.

The Council for Undergraduate Research defines undergraduate research as “a mentored investigation or creative inquiry conducted by undergraduates that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge.” 

Artwork

Oral Presentation

Creative Written Work

Posters

  • Abstract Writing Workshop - February 5, 2026, 11a, Zoom Learn to write a strong abstract/statement of work ahead of Winter Research Day, the Celebration of Student Scholarship, or any other conference. Conferences normally require an abstract to participate, so learn to make yours the best it can be!
  • Conference 101 - February 11, 11a, Jamrich 2309 Join us for a hands-on workshop that demystifies the conference experience. We'll cover essential terminology across disciplines (like how "abstract" translates to "artist statement" for those in the arts), presentation formats, professional etiquette, tailoring your message to different audiences, and navigating gatherings with confidence.
  • Using Adobe Express for Poster Preparation - Date, location, and time TBD Join Sarah O'Neill, NMU's Senior Director of Marketing, on how to utilize the tools that are free to NMU students to create a visually engaging poster.
  • Abstract/Artist Statement/Statement of Work Preparation Workshop - March 12, 2p, Jamrich Hall 3100 Learn how to best write the short statements that are required to submit your work to a conference.
  • Conference 101 - March 10, 10a, Harden Hall 302 All about Celebration and everything you wanted to know about conferences: