CONTINUITY OF INSTRUCTION | Preparations were underway for the Undergraduate Research Symposium, a signature event in Loyola Marymount University’s academic calendar. The 12th annual symposium was set to welcome hundreds of students, faculty, staff, parents and visitors to Murphy Recital Hall and University Hall for performances and presentations. But the event was jeopardized by the restrictions in response to COVID-19.
What could have been a disappointing cancellation turned into an online success, showcasing LMU students’ creative and academic prowess and demonstrating their adaptability and determination.
“Undergraduate research is a highlight – and an amazing part – of an LMU experience,” said Kathleen Weaver, associate provost for research, professional development, and online learning, “and I’m thankful to Liz Wimberly and all the students, faculty, and staff for their nimbleness and commitment to making the symposium a success.”
After some long nights and collaborations to make it happen, the Undergraduate Research Symposium, on April 18, 2020, brought together dozens of students, faculty and observers. “This year we faced unprecedented challenges,” said Elizabeth Wimberly, associate director for undergraduate research and senior lecturer in rhetorical arts, “The symposium was a testament not only to the commitment of faculty and students to learning and research, but also to their resilience and adaptability to new situations and requirements.”
The final tally had 470 people attending the first virtual symposium, with as many as 163 logged in and participating simultaneously. All undergraduate colleges and schools were represented in the presentations and 257 people participated in at least one Zoom Conversation Room, with participation going as high at 62 people simultaneously in one room.
Instead of traditional posters, oral sessions and panels, students displayed digital posters, recorded dances and presentations, PowerPoints and videos, Wimberly said. As catalogued in the program, presenters showed and discussed their work in crowded Zoom Conversation Rooms, many of them using technology they may have had little knowledge of, much less experience with, two months ago. “Although we couldn’t be together in person, Hubb and Zoom provided us the platform to be together virtually,” said Weaver. “The student presentations in Zoom sessions were outstanding, and we saw so many positive comments and evaluations from the event.”
Undergraduate research at LMU tackles important questions, large and small, and offers a rich academic experience where students interact with world-class faculty in many different fields of study, including the arts, sciences and humanities. Student research provides an opportunity for high-impact, active learning through one-on-one interaction with faculty mentors, and grows students as critical thinkers, problem solvers, and intellectual independents. “Each year, the Undergraduate Research Symposium provides an excellent opportunity for students, faculty, staff, parents, and members of the LMU community to actively engage with students who have been immersed in thought-provoking questions and global issues,” said Wimberly.
