Members of the Public Affairs Committee at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) invite all area residents to attend their third annual Academic Symposium and Regional Conference May 2 at the West Plains Civic Center.

The theme of this year’s event is “Astronomy in Ozark Heritage,” organizers said, adding several academics and experts on the topic will make presentations.

The highlight will be a keynote address by Dr. Thomas Kersen entitled “Close Encounters of the Ozark Kind” at 5 p.m. in the civic center theater. Kersen is an associate professor of sociology and criminal justice at Jackson State University in Mississippi.

In addition, representatives from DarkSky Missouri; the Department of Language, Cultures and Religion at MSU in Springfield; the Department of Physics at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla; and Truman State University in Kirksville also will give presentations on the theme from 6 to 8 p.m. in the theater.

More about the symposium

The Academic Symposium is designed to celebrate the academic endeavors of students by shining a spotlight on their evidence-based research projects. Students from different degree programs and disciplines will display posters of their work, and several will give presentations outlining their discoveries. The symposium also gives the students an opportunity to network with the other established academics and experts who will be presenting that evening.

The event begins at 4 p.m. with a poster session in the center’s Redbud and Gohn Rooms. At 6 p.m., following the keynote address, students will give their presentations. Those featuring general education topics will take place in the civic center Walnut Room, while those featuring nursing and other health-related topics will be given in the Magnolia Room. Presentations will conclude at 8 p.m.

“Our goal is to grow this event as the biggest conference in the region where the general public has the opportunity to connect with students, academics and experts while learning more about the projects happening in this area,” said Public Affairs Committee Chair Ana Estrella. “We would like to invite the community to join us for this unique event.”

Refreshments will be served. Admission is free.

For more information, email WP_Symposium@MissouriState.edu.