Mathematics major Emily Vasquez ’24 started preparing for her presentation weeks ago. She didn’t know quite what to expect.
Mathematics major Emily Vasquez ’24 gives a presentation, “Finding the Relationship Between Triangles and the Pythagorean Theorem using Calculus,” as part of the Steinmetz Symposium Friday. Now in its 34th year, the symposium has grown from its debut in April 1991, when 130 students presented, to one that now features more than 400 students.
She had never given a public presentation related to math. Also, the topic, “Finding the Relationship Between Triangles and the Pythagorean Theorem using Calculus,” could be challenging for those who would rather forget the fundamental principle of geometry taught in high school: a² + b² = c².
With her mom and sister looking on in the audience, Vasquez aced her talk.
Making extensive use of a whiteboard scribbled with a diagram, Vasquez, of Norwell, Mass., confidently explained her concept.
“I hope for people to gain a deeper appreciation for the Pythagorean Theorem outside of its common use for finding a side length of a right triangle,” she said before making her case in front of a classroom in the Integrated Science and Engineering Complex.
Vasquez, who will work for Price Waterhouse Cooper after graduation, shared her expertise as part of the Steinmetz Symposium Friday morning.
Now in its 34th year, the symposium has grown from its debut in April 1991, when 130 students presented, to one that now features more than 400 students.
Overseen by Heather Watson, director of undergraduate research and associate professor of physics and astronomy, the symposium showcases the type of hands-on, faculty-mentored research that is a staple of the Union experience.
Following tradition, classes were canceled for the day to allow faculty, staff, students and families to sample projects in all fields – the arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences and engineering.
One could shuffle between various academic buildings to sample presentations with titles such as “How Fairy Tales Can Be Used to Analyze Culture and Society” (Stephen Wong ’24) to “Analyzing Street Tree Diversity Over Discriminatory Districts in Schenectady” (Allison Malatesta ’24) to “Crosslinking Outer Membrane Vesicles of Gram-negative Bacteria for Developing Lyme Disease Vaccine” (Chau Tran Minh ’24).
The Steinmetz Symposium featured dozens of student poster presentations covering a wide variety of topics.
“I love Steinmetz day because it is such a wonderful demonstration of the huge diversity of talent and skills our students have developed during their time at Union,” said Watson.
“It is a great day to celebrate our students, their hard work and their incredible achievements in research and artistry. I also really appreciate the opportunity to connect with faculty and students from all over campus as we come together to share ideas and learn from each other.”
Benjamin Tichner ’24, an economics major from Lebanon, N.H., sought to explain how the legalization of recreational marijuana has affected alcohol consumption. In microeconomic terms, Tichner wanted to learn whether consumers view these two substances as substitutes or as complementary goods.
“I am interested in the ways that economic modeling can shape discussions around effective governance policies,” he said. “I hope that people take away a similar mindset, as the legalization of recreational marijuana continues to be a widely debated policy at both the state and federal levels in the U.S. today.”
As part of this year’s event, the Templeton Institute hosted “The Great AI Debate,” an engaging discussion in a packed Olin Auditorium about the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education.
The campus was treated to a dazzling array of dance styles featuring 80 student performers at the Lothridge Festival of Dance in the Nott Memorial. Performances leaped fearlessly among Bhangra, the Dance Team, JAIVE Afrovibes, Hip Hop, K-Pop, the Latinx Dance Club, Natyashastra and Tap Club.
Panelists Eric Zhao ’24 and Aspen Morris ’25 were joined by Andrew Burkett, professor of English and co-director of the Templeton Institute; Marianna Ganapini, assistant professor of philosophy; Ashok Ramasubramanian, professor of mechanical engineering and co-director of the Templeton Institute; and Kristina Striegnitz, associate professor of computer science.
In the afternoon, the campus was treated to a dazzling array of dance styles featuring 80 student performers at the Lothridge Festival of Dance in the Nott Memorial. Performances leaped fearlessly among Bhangra, the Dance Team, JAIVE Afrovibes, Hip Hop, K-Pop, the Latinx Dance Club, Natyashastra and Tap Club.
At the end of the show, three students were awarded an Edward Villella Fellowship to expand their dance studies and artistic vision beyond campus this summer.
Melanie (Mel) De La Cruz ’26 will take part in the Accademia dell’Arte’s Physical Theatre Summer Intensive in Arezzo, Italy; Ava DuBoff ’26 will attend the Bates Dance Festival in Lewiston, Maine, and Earl Mosely's Institute of the Arts Summer Dance Intensive at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.; and Sofia Gray ’27 will take classes with the Albany Berkshire Ballet School.
Visitors could also check out the Steinmetz Symposium Student Art Exhibition, featuring works by 94 students, in the Crowell and West galleries in the Feigenbaum Center for Visual Arts. Mediums include digital art, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.
The day wrapped up with the spring concert, “Bon Voyage,” featuring the Union College Chamber Singers, Union College Choir; and Union College and Community Orchestra in Memorial Chapel.
On Saturday, a concert featuring the Union College Jazz Ensemble, led by Professor Tim Olsen, takes place at 11 a.m. in Emerson Auditorium in the Taylor Music Center.
For a complete schedule, including a list of presentations, visit the Steinmetz website.
The Steinmetz Symposium is named for Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865-1923), who taught electrical engineering and applied physics at Union. 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 1 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Chapel. Students are honored for achievement in academics and leadership.
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.