Augustana is excited to once again host its annual Arthur Olsen Student Research Symposium, set to take place on Saturday, April 13, at the Froiland Science Complex, located on the university’s campus.
The Arthur Olsen Student Research Symposium is a gathering that fosters and celebrates student research at Augustana. The structure of the symposium follows that of a traditional academic conference, and AU students from all disciplines are invited to present their original research at this forum. The symposium provides the university campus and surrounding community an opportunity to see and appreciate the creativity, hard work and ingenuity of its students.
“The symposium serves to promote a sense of community, celebrate academic excellence and facilitate discussion of important topics across a variety of disciplines,” said Dr. Lindsay Howard, assistant professor of psychology and chair of the Arthur Olsen Student Research Symposium Committee.
The keynote address for this year’s symposium will be delivered by Dr. Esther Ngumbi, whose presentation is entitled "Thought Leadership for a Sustainable Future: Amplifying Science, Engaging the Public & Advocating for Food Security." Ngumbi is an author, researcher, educator, mentor, speaker and champion for change around the issues of hunger, gender, education, youth activism, agriculture, sustainability and public service. Ngumbi is an assistant professor of entomology and African American studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is the founder of organizations that empower farmers and youth in Kenya and has served as a mentor for the Clinton Global Initiative University Initiative and President Barack Obama's Young Leadership Program.
The symposium is supported by the Office of Academic Affairs, Civitas Honors Program, Mikkelsen Library, Augustana Department of Biology and Board of Trustees (BOT). In conjunction with these partners, the symposium offers research awards to students who present at the 2024 symposium.
To learn about Dr. Arthur Olsen or the 2024 Arthur Olsen Student Research Symposium, including its schedule of events, visit augie.edu/symposium.