VSU Hosts Inaugural Graduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

VALDOSTA - Graduate students at Valdosta State University will offer the public a glimpse into their world of research during the first ever Inaugural Graduate Research and Scholarship Symposium from 4-6 p.m. Friday, May 1, in the UC Magnolia Room.

Through a poster session format, the event will highlight the best graduate scholarship efforts, allowing students and faculty mentors to display their work and answer any related questions.

Projects featured span all areas of graduate study and focus on topics such as music as an alternative to traditional medical and psychodynamic therapy; the effects of smoking cessation on the voice; barriers to rural health care access; loss and bereavement issues in the cycle of addiction; the night lives of nine-banded armadillos, and many other intriguing concepts.

According to Dr. Karla Hull, interim dean of the Graduate School, 45 students were nominated by faculty to represent the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, Fine Arts and Nursing as well as the divisions of social work and Library and Information Science by presenting their research and scholarship efforts to the community.

"Graduate programs at VSU provide a solid foundation for continuous learning as our students grow as scholars and professionals," Hull said. "This is an honor for the selected students and it provides them with an opportunity to showcase their ability use their research and scholarship knowledge and skills to address the needs of their communities and their professional disciplines."

Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Call the VSU Graduate School at (229) 333-5694 or e-mail gradschool@valdosta.edu for more information.