Students, faculty encouraged to submit, nominate scholarly work for revamped Celebration of Scholars

Northwest Missouri State University is encouraging students to submit their best work for its annual Celebration of Scholars, an interdisciplinary academic symposium that spotlights exceptional student work throughout campus – and this year includes new presentation formats and competition categories.

­Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and organized by faculty, the symposium is open to all Northwest students. Submissions may include work completed during the spring semester or any time during the previous year.

­Since its inception during the late 1990s, the Celebration of Scholars has become a signature event at Northwest that showcases the outstanding research, creativity and academic achievements of students. The event brings together students, faculty and the campus community to celebrate interdisciplinary scholarship and innovation while reflecting the University’s ongoing commitment to student success.

“The Celebration of Scholars reflects the incredible range of talent and creativity across our campus,” said Dr. Laura Kauzlarich, an associate professor of accounting and the chair of the Celebration of Scholars Planning and Selection Committee. “We want students from every area of study to see their work represented. This event allows them to connect their academic passions with their personal goals and share that journey with the campus community. It’s both a celebration of who they are now and a bridge to where they’re going next.”

How to submit work

Students have until 5 p.m. Friday, March 13, to submit work for this year’s Celebration of Scholars. For more information and to apply for participation, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/academics/celebration/.

The Celebration of Scholars is open to all Northwest undergraduate and graduate students, and submissions may include work completed at any time during the 2025-2026 academic year or before. Faculty and staff also are encouraged to recommend the showcase to students and to sponsor their work. Students may apply directly, or faculty, staff, community partners and peer students may nominate students to participate.

In past years, students have presented creative writing, original research 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. They have also presented dramatic readings and played or analyzed music.

Original work or projects completed through coursework or during internships have been presented.

New competition categories

In conjunction with the Celebration of Scholars, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences is sponsoring a Three-Minute Thesis competition at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, in the J.W. Jones Student Union Boardroom.

Three winners will be chosen to present their three-minute thesis at the Celebration of Scholars on April 1. The competition is limited to students studying majors housed in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

“The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience,” Dr. Jesse Lane, an assistant professor of geography, said. “Participants will be judged on comprehension, ease of understanding, engagement, expressiveness, communication and clarity.”

Similarly, the School of Fine and Performing Arts is sponsoring a recital at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, in the Charles Johnson Theater at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building, where a panel of judges will select music students to perform at the Celebration of Scholars.

Music faculty nominated students in voice, woodwinds, brass, percussion and piano to audition for the Celebration of Scholars, based on performance-based exams at the conclusion of the fall semester.

When is the Celebration of Scholars?

The symposium is from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, at the J.W. Jones Student Union. Sessions take place throughout the event in conjunction with displays featuring posters, artwork and other projects.

Awards are presented to outstanding submissions. In recent years, the Celebration of Scholars has recognized outstanding students in categories such as poster and display presentation, oral presentation, and arts.

For more information about the Celebration of Scholars, contact Kauzlarich at lkauzlarich@nwmissouri.edu.

Kauzlarich is joined on the 2025-2026 Celebration of Scholars Planning and Selection Committee by Dr. Mahesh Bashyal, assistant professor of agricultural sciences; Dr. Sammy Holloman, assistant professor of music; Dr. Ratan Lal, assistant professor of computer science and information systems; Dr. Jacob Tengelsen, assistant professor of psychology; and Dr. Shay Malone, assistant vice president of institutional excellence and global engagement.