By Natasha Muhametzyanova, Contributing Writer
If you ever wrote a research paper thinking the sole purpose of it was to get a passing grade, think again because now that research can win you money. West Liberty University recently announced a call for submissions for the RECAP (Research, Creative Activity, Performance) symposium and competition.
Both undergraduate and graduate WLU students can submit their scholarly and, in some instances, creative work in eight disciplines including business, communications, creative performance, education, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, natural sciences and visual communication.
Students can submit qualified work in any of the eight disciplines and are not limited to submissions in their primary field of study. Groups of up to three students can submit a collaborative work.
“West Liberty had research competitions for a long time, and this year we decided to revamp it and added some new components,” said Interim Dean for the College of Arts and Communication Dr. Matthew Harder. “In the past, the competition was limited to research papers, so, for the most part, only science students participated. Last year, the competition had lower participation, so deans and faculty from different departments got together and decided to make some changes.”
Harder is one of the organizers of RECAP along with Department of Music and Theater Chair Dr. Linda Cowan, College of Sciences Dean Dr. Robert Kreisberg, English Professor Dr. Angela Rehbein and Highlands Campus Manager Sara Sweeney.
Students presenting the best paper, poster and performance will win $400. Additionally, there will be a $100 prize for the best submission in each discipline. WLU faculty members will serve as judges and will evaluate each submission.
Though prizes are an exciting part of the competition, Harder emphasized that the benefits of the symposium for students do not end there. “Cash is great, but it’s also good for your resume. To become a winner of a research competition in a university is a pretty big thing,” Harder said.
To encourage creativity, students are allowed to submit not one but two entries in any category or a combination of categories. Students are also allowed to submit the work they have already presented at other conferences.
RECAP will take place from 1-4:30 p.m. on March 21 at various locations on campus. If you would like to participate, you need to enter the competition by 5 p.m. on Feb. 21. To submit, go to its website.
