Annual celebration of the outstanding academic achievements of EMU undergraduate students
Symposium History
1981 First annual event held on April 3, 1981. Envisioned by Dr. Ronald W. Collins, former Provost. Ira M. Wheatley, History and Philosophy, provided leadership. Featured 17 students and 19 faculty members from nine College of Arts and Sciences departments.
1982 Luncheon and keynote speaker added to event. A complete listing on keynote speakers over the years can be downloaded here (pdf file).
1990 Posters displays added.
1992 Participation expanded with students from College of Education and the College of Technology included.
1993 College of Business and the College of Health and Human Services nominated students for participation.
1995 Student emcees added to the luncheon program.
1996 Student designers involved in design process.
2000 Office of Financial Aid and the Graduate School began providing up to 20 University Fellowship Awards for Symposium Participants to graduating participants to encourage them to continue their graduate studies EMU. Dedicated website launched.
2001 The Barry A. Fish Scholarship and the Ronald W Collins Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Undergraduate Symposium Participants endowed to provide financial awards for continued undergraduate studies.
2002 Webcasting of select presentations began with Symposium XXII.
2005 The Symposium proudly celebrated its 25th event. In honor of the event’s longevity, a new scholarship series was announced and the event also provided the opportunity for 25 select Symposium and University alumni to return to campus for the festivities.
2007 The annual event moved to the new EMU Student Center. Genesis, a bronze sculpture by artist and Symposium XXVII keynote speaker Brent Collins, was dedicated and placed on permanent display at the center.
2008 Nominations were was changed to allow only online submissions, thereby streamlining the approval process and making both web and print publication easier.
A complete history of the event can be downloaded here.