Hands-on, faculty-mentored undergraduate research is a staple of the Union experience. Each spring since 1991, students have showcased their academic interests and talents during the Steinmetz Symposium.
More than 400 students will take part in the 28th annual symposium Friday, May 11.
The all-day event begins at 9 a.m. and includes a diverse lineup of oral presentations, poster sessions and exhibits highlighting student research as well as a dance performance, musical concerts, an art exhibit and other activities.
“Steinmetz is one of the most important landmarks of the academic year, when we get the chance to show off what we do best here at Union,” said Chad Orzel, the R. Gordon Gould Associate Professor of Physics and director of undergraduate research.
“It's a great opportunity for faculty, friends, and family to see our students at their very best - engaging with subjects they're passionate about, and showing off what they've learned, discovered and created. For some senior student presenters, this is the culmination of four years of work, while many younger students are just getting started. Whatever stage they're at, I'm always impressed with how well our students present themselves and their work, and that makes Steinmetz a lot of fun.”
At 4 p.m., 70 performers will bring their peripatetic moves to the stage at the Nott Memorial for the annual Lothridge Festival of Dance.
The hour-long show will highlight original works by faculty and student choreographers in an array of dance styles. Included are pieces from the Winter Dance Concert, “Breaking Boundaries,” by dance minors Brendan Coleman ’18, Sydney Conner ’18, Bianca Mielke ’18 and Shannon West’ 19, as well as new work from Ayanah Dowdye ’18 and Megan Wells ’18.
Students from Bhangra Union, the Hip Hop Club, the In-Unison Step Team, the African Queens, Terra Dance Company and the Dance Team also will perform.
Also, the annual Steinmetz Student Art Exhibition, featuring 175 works by students from a wide variety of majors and all class years, fills the Crowell and West Galleries in the Feigenbaum Center for Visual Arts.
Curated by Visual Arts faculty, it is the largest Steinmetz exhibit to date, with drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and digital art and video works.
A closing reception will be held at 5:30 p.m.
The day concludes with a concert featuring the Union College Choir and the Union College and Community Orchestra, under the direction of Shou-Ping Liu, lecturer in choral and orchestra music and director of performance. The concert is set for 8 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.
The Steinmetz Symposium is named for Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865-1923), who taught electrical engineering and applied physics at Union. Also chief consulting engineer for the General Electric Company, he was widely regarded as America’s leading electrical engineer.
The symposium coincides with Prize Day, which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday in Memorial Chapel, followed immediately by a reception on the Reamer Campus Center patio. Students are honored for achievement in academics, research, service and governance.
Among the top awards given are the Josephine Daggett Prize to the senior for conduct and character and the Frank Bailey (1885) Prize to the senior who has rendered the greatest service to the College in any field.
Check back later for a list of winners.
Also, the Union College Jazz Ensemble, led by Professor Tim Olsen, will perform at 2 p.m. in Emerson Auditorium.