A student takes in a series of paintings during last year's Celebration of Quality academic symposium. Students are invited to submit their academic work for presentation at the 2020 Celebration of Quality, which takes place April 17. (Photo by Brandon Bland/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University students and faculty are invited to submit their best work for presentation at the annual Celebration of Quality, an interdisciplinary academic symposium spotlighting exceptional student work throughout campus.

Submissions for this year’s Celebration of Quality are due Sunday, March 22. The symposium is open to all Northwest students, and the application form is available at www.nwmissouri.edu/academics/celebration/.  

"It is so important for students to have an opportunity like this to present their work in a formal, professional setting," Dr. Elyssa Ford, an associate professor of history and the director of Northwest’s Honors Program, said. "This experience can help students grow as academics, prepare for graduate school, and gain experience to help with presentations at conferences in their field. It allows students to celebrate their accomplishments and share it with the broader campus community."

Students may submit any successfully completed work from the current semester or the previous year. The selection committee also will consider submissions of work to be completed after the March 22 deadline so long as it has a faculty sponsor and the work will be ready for presentation at the symposium. Graduating seniors who are working on final senior projects are encouraged to participate.

Sponsored jointly by the Society of President’s Scholars and the Office of the Provost, the symposium gives the University community a chance to view student work across disciplines and gives participating students an audience beyond the classroom.

Past submissions have included creative writing, original research papers and analytical papers. Participants have given speeches, conducted panel discussions and displayed original works of art or visual summaries of their projects in science, education and business. Participants also have presented dramatic readings and performed or analyzed music.

The symposium is 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 17, on the third floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union. The event includes sessions throughout the afternoon and evening as well as a banquet where submissions will be displayed for students and their faculty sponsors. Tickets may also be purchased for guests.

For more information regarding the Celebration of Quality, contact Ford at ebford@nwmissouri.edu.