Celebration of Scholars

Celebration of Scholars 2026
An Interdisciplinary Academic SHOWCASE

1-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 1
J.W. Jones Student Union, Third Floor

Submissions are open until 5 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2026

Showcasing Student Research, Creativity, Innovation, and Service

The Celebration of Scholars is Northwest’s annual showcase of student and faculty achievement and is the largest showcase of student learning and engagement on the campus. Rooted in the University’s mission of focusing on “student success — every student, every day,” this signature event brings together the campus community to highlight research, creativity, innovation and service across all disciplines.

Through posters, performances, activities, exhibits and presentations, students and faculty share ideas, discoveries and passions — demonstrating the curiosity, collaboration and excellence that define Northwest. The Celebration fosters career readiness, mentorship and pride, while building meaningful connections with alumni, employers and community partners.

All are welcome. Attend any session you like.

Explore sessions that:

Connect with your major, minor, career goals or personal interests
Introduce you to new fields, programs and opportunities
Allow you to support your classmates and celebrate their work
Encourage you to talk with presenters — ask questions, share ideas and make connections
Inspire you to think about what’s next

• Research or creative projects
• Internships or experiential learning
• Entrepreneurship or innovation
• Adding a major or minor
• Preparing for graduate school

History of the event

The Celebration of Scholars is a signature tradition at Northwest that showcases the outstanding research, creativity and academic achievements of our students. Building on a legacy that began in the late 1990s, the event brings together students, faculty and the campus community to celebrate interdisciplinary scholarship and innovation. The Celebration of Scholars annually highlights the energy, talent and excellence that define the Northwest academic experience and reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to student success.

Sponsorship

The Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs

Celebration of Scholars Call for Submissions

The annual Celebration of Scholars exists at Northwest to showcase, inspire and connect scholarly, creative and innovative achievements of students and faculty. Rooted in the University’s mission of focusing on “student success — every student, every day,” this campus-wide event highlights the diverse ways Bearcats learn, create and lead through research, applied knowledge, artistic expression, service and innovation. By fostering curiosity, collaboration and community engagement, the Celebration of Scholars empowers students and faculty to share their work, build professional readiness and contribute to a culture of excellence that defines Northwest.

Submission Application Form

The Celebration of Scholars is open to all Northwest undergraduate and graduate students and may include work completed during the 2025-2026 academic year or before. Students are encouraged to submit their work; faculty and staff are encouraged to recommend the showcase to students and sponsor their work.

Students working on a project they believe will be completed or mostly completed for presentation by April 1 may be submitted for nomination. Graduating students who are working on final projects are especially encouraged to consider submitting work.

The submissions deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2026

Students may apply directly, or faculty, staff, community partners and peer students may nominate students to participate.

The annual showcase gives the University community a chance to see the interesting work students are completing across disciplines, and it gives participating students an audience beyond the classroom. In past years, students have presented creative writing, original research and analytical papers. They have given speeches, conducted panel discussions and displayed original works of art and visual summaries of their projects. They have presented dramatic readings and played or analyzed music, and some have presented other original work or projects completed in class or during internships.

The selection committee is open to new and innovative approaches in what students want to present and how they want to present it.

2025-2026 Celebration of Scholars Planning and Selection Committee

Chair: Dr. Laura Kauzlarich, associate professor of accounting
Dr. Mahesh Bashyal, assistant professor of agricultural sciences
Dr. Sammy Holloman, assistant professor of music
Dr. Ratan Lal, assistant professor of computer science and information systems
Dr. Jacob Tengelsen, assistant professor of psychology
Dr. Shay Malone, assistant vice president of institutional excellence and global engagement

Showcase Your Work

The Celebration of Scholars has added new categories and presentation formats so more students, programs and disciplines may participate. If you have a project, performance, innovation, or creative work — there’s now a place for it.

How Participating in the Celebration of Scholars Benefits You

Build Your Resume and Portfolio

Showcase research, creative work, performances, service projects or entrepreneurial ideas.
Add a “Conference Presentation / Exhibit” section to your resume or LinkedIn profile.
Create portfolio material for internships, jobs or graduate school applications.

Strengthen Key Skills

Gain confidence in public speaking and presenting to diverse audiences.
Practice teamwork by highlighting collaborative projects.
Demonstrate innovation and creativity to future employers.

Prepare for Graduate School

Presenting at the Celebration of Scholars mirrors a professional academic conference.
Abstracts and project descriptions can often be included in applications as evidence of scholarly activity.
Faculty mentors can later serve as recommenders.

Network and Connect

Share your work with peers, faculty, alumni and community members.
Begin building a reputation as a leader and innovator at Northwest.

Earn Recognition and Awards

Being part of the Celebration of Scholars highlights your initiative and commitment to excellence and outstanding submissions will be recognized.

SUBMISSION EXAMPLES

Academic and Applied Research

Class research projects, independent studies, proposals or capstones
Research posters or posters combined with a presentation
Papers or manuscripts (published or in progress)
Business analysis, video presentations, entrepreneurship and innovation pitches

Creative and Performing Arts

Visual and gallery works (2D and 3D)
Digital and media arts (graphic design, visual media, audio/video)
Music, theatre, dance and performance recitals
Creative writing, literary readings or storytelling

Professional, Experiential and Community-Based Work

Internship and fieldwork reports
Service-learning and community engagement projects
Technology prototypes, software, coding, digital portfolios

Showcases, Demonstrations and Media

Demonstrations or interactive exhibits
Film, audio and multimedia work (radio, video, documentaries, sound design)

Here’s what you need to do to participate

After you find a faculty member to be your sponsor, complete the application form. (Faculty are quite happy to do this, and it doesn’t have to be the faculty for whom you completed your work.)
If you are presenting with other students who worked on the same project, place all of your names on a single form. If you and a friend want to present different projects but at the same session, submit separate forms and indicate your preference to present at the same time.
Submit the form. Available online until 5 p.m. March 13. Late submissions will not be considered. Please enter your submissions as soon as possible.
Poster Printing: Email your poster file to Mail & Printing Services (MAILCPY@nwmissouri.edu)

Celebration of Scholars 2026 An Interdisciplinary Academic SHOWCASE

1-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 1J.W. Jones Student Union, Third Floor