This article is from the archives of the UB Reporter.
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UB to celebrate academic excellence

Students light candles—one for each of the 50 victims of the crash of Flight 3407—at Tuesday’s remembrance service. Photo: NANCY J. PARISI

Student research posters will be on display in the Center for the Arts atrium as part of the Celebration of Academic Excellence. Photo: NANCY J. PARISI

By SUE WUETCHER
Published: March 25, 2009

UB will celebrate its achievements in scholarship, research and creative activity during the fifth annual Celebration of Academic Excellence, to be held April 7 in the Center for the Arts, North Campus.

The event recognizes the university’s outstanding faculty and staff, while placing special emphasis on undergraduate excellence.

“The Celebration of Academic Excellence provides students with additional experience in presenting and showcasing the results of their research,” says Michael Ryan, vice provost and dean for undergraduate education, noting that the experience will be particularly valuable for those students who will be pursuing graduate studies.

Ryan says 163 faculty-mentored student projects—108 undergraduate projects and 55 Sigma Xi graduate student projects—will be on display in the CFA atrium as part of the celebration. The undergraduate projects showcase student work from all disciplines and majors, he says, adding that 25 of those projects were funded, in part, through the Undergraduate Research Grant Program administered by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities.

“Students gain tangible experience in grant writing in addition to the research experience associated with their projects,” Ryan points out.

The student posters will be on display in the CFA atrium beginning at 1 p.m. The formal celebration ceremony will begin at 3:30 p.m. with an academic procession, followed by SUNY and UB award presentations and recognition, and student performances.

The event will recognize UB’s newly named SUNY Distinguished Professors, the recipients of the Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence, the new UB Distinguished professors and recipients of various student research awards and national fellowships and scholarships.

Ryan notes that a new award will be presented this year to honor a student organization that has made “a positive impact on the campus with regard to academic excellence and civic engagement.”

A reception will follow the ceremony.

Members of the university community wishing to attend the Celebration of Academic Excellence should register by April 1.