About Scholars Week

Scholars Week, an annual celebration of student research and creative activities at Western, was created by unanimous resolution of the Faculty Senate in November 1999. What was originally envisioned as “Scholars Day” quickly became “Scholars Week” to accommodate a diverse series of events highlighting the scholarship and creativity of Western students.  

From art to engineering, students and faculty work closely together to explore the boundaries of knowledge. Scholars Week, which occurs annually each May, has become a highlight of the academic year, celebrating the contributions of students as they enrich the intellectual environment of Western and society in general.

From “Scholars Day” To “Scholars Week”

Scholars Week has evolved from an inaugural “Scholars Day” celebration in May 2000 with 100 student participants, to more than 400 undergraduate and graduate students from 50 different disciplines participating in one of four Scholars Showcase events. These events, held throughout the week, feature research and creative work from students from across the university. Events include: The Poster Session, Three-minute Thesis Talks, Faculty/Student Group Collaborations, and MFA/MA Creative Writing Presentations. Scholars Showcase events are planned and produced by the Scholars Week Planning Committee in coordination with the Office of the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. In addition, many of Western’s departments, programs and colleges host special events that are either open to campus or restricted to students and faculty of a particular program or department.  

Scholars Showcase Events

The University Scholars Poster Session and Reception, held in Carver Gym, was first held in 2005. It presently serves as the centerpiece of Scholars Week, drawing the most participants and attendees. In 2019, graduate students were invited to present posters concurrently with undergraduates, adding the “Graduate Student Symposium.” In 2020, Three-Minute Thesis presentations were added as another presentation opportunity for graduate students. This presentation format challenges participants to explain their research to a general audience in three minutes or less, using a single PowerPoint slide.  

Scholars Week Today

Due to Coronavirus restrictions on social gatherings, Scholars Week 2020 and 2021 were held virtually. Scholars Week 2022 was offered as a hybrid event, with both a virtual gallery and in-person events, including the Faculty/Student Group Collaborations, a new Scholars Week category for 2022. This presentation category featured a series of 30-minute presentations, each including a professor and a group of students who had engaged in a collaborative form of research, creative project, or similar endeavor. Scholars Week returned to entirely in-person events in 2023, adding when another presentation category, the MFA/MA Creative Writing Presentations, featuring graduate students reading original poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and/or hybrid works.

Financial support for Scholars Week is provided by the WWU President, Office of the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Offices of Research and Sponsored Programs and the Graduate School, the Foundation, and academic colleges.