By Rebecca Wyatt, OU Web Writer

More than 180 presentations by students from Oakland University, the University of Michigan-Dearborn and University of Michigan-Flint were given or displayed during the 13^th annual Meeting of Minds Undergraduate Conference: A Celebration of Research and Creative Endeavors held at OU on May 13.

Undergraduate students from all majors participated in Meeting of Minds by presenting scholarly work or research using oral or poster presentations. The poster presentations were informal, where students spoke about their work in a one-on-one setting. Oral presentations were more formal and organized into concurrent sessions where students spoke about their work, answered questions and received feedback during a brief discussion period. 

Topics of all varieties including science, art and women’s studies were on display throughout the Oakland Center Gold Rooms as part of the poster presentations.

“I think if you’re going to do research its important to share your research with someone,” said recent OU graduate Katie Livingston, who presented her poster project, “Writing ‘Obscenely,’ Writing Academically: Women’s Studies and the Practice of Autobiographical Writing,” which was also her Honor’s College thesis.

Besides the poster presentations, students gave oral presentations in concurrent sessions throughout the day in the Oakland Center and O’Dowd Hall. 

Meeting of Minds participants also are eligible to have their work published in a Meeting of Minds journal of undergraduate research, an important venue for students looking to continue in research or graduate school.

“Meeting of minds is an effective platform to showcase the research, scholarship and creative works of our students. The partnership between the three public institutions of higher education for providing this unique experience to their undergraduates is commendable,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil. “In this setting, students are more relaxed and comfortable among their peers, but make professional-level presentations. The graduates with such experience are the future leaders and economic backbone of our society. This is a win-win situation for all.”

Kathleen Moore, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the coordinator for Meeting of Minds, said the students produced high-quality, professional projects and presentations, exceeding many expectations.

She also said there were many people to thank for making the 2005 Meeting of Minds a success.

“The event would not have been as successful without the concerted effort from people in so many departments at the university,” Moore said.

The 2006 Meeting of Minds will take place at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Students interested in participating should look for registration material on the Meeting of Minds Web site in February and the event will be held in late spring.