Tower Day 2025

Columbus State University's Tower Day Undergraduate Research Conference is an annual celebration and showcasing of student academic and creative endeavors. Participants from all majors present, discuss, and network about research and artistic productions.

Tower Day will be held at the Cunningham Conference Center, located at 3100 Gentian Blvd, Columbus, Georgia, on Friday, April 25, 2025.

Any current undergraduate student or Fall 2024 graduate of CSU may submit an abstract to present at Tower Day. Faculty mentors may also submit to Tower Day to present alongside their students. The main criteria for submitting is that the academic or creative work took place while the individual was a CSU student.

You will need to submit the following information during the online process, much of which may be cut and pasted from text documents:

Required Information:

• Abstract Title
• Abstract (150-word limit)
• Mode of Presentation (e.g., Poster, 15-minute presentation, short film, performance, visual art display)
• Equipment needs (e.g., DVD, PowerPoint)
• Full names, email addresses and academic level of all student collaborators
• Full names and email addresses of all co-presenters (2 maximum)
• Full names of all faculty mentors

Other Information (the following responses will not impact whether or not your project is selected for Tower Day):

• If the project originated as a class assignment, you will need the course name and number (e.g., PSYC 4125)
• If the project has been previously presented, published, or received an award, you will need names, dates, and/or journal citations
• If the project was funded by a grant, you will need source, type, and amount

Presenters can use this Tower Day Application Guide (PDF) to prepare.

The Abstract submission portal opens on November 11, 2024 and will close on February 24, 2025. Students must be logged into their OneCSU account to complete the online application.

If a student is presenting work that they did for your class or as independent research with your guidance, you are considered the faculty mentor and should be listed as such on the student's abstract submission. You will then be responsible for reviewing and signing off on the student's submission before it goes forward for committee review.

The primary faculty mentor will be copied on all correspondence and will be the first mentor listed. If several faculty mentors have assisted you, discuss this issue with them. In general, you should select a faculty mentor in the department the project is predominantly based, and one who devoted the greatest amount of time to the project. All faculty mentors will be recognized and formally thanked.

Student abstracts must be submitted no later than Friday, February 17, 2025. The faculty mentor must complete their review and submit the application on or before February 24, 2025.

Important Dates

November 11 - Abstract Submission Opens
February 17 - Abstract Submission Closes
February 24 - Faculty Mentor Signoff Due
March 5 - Review of Applications
March 12 - Notification of Acceptance
April 14-18 - Presentation Materials
April 25 - Due* Tower Day

Student presentation options include poster presentations, oral presentations, demonstrations, film, performances, and visual art displays.

Poster sessions consist of a collection of student projects presented concurrently in a room (in person) with projects from various disciplines. Students present their work on triboards or scientific poster and spend an hour talking to small groups who circulate throughout the room. This is a great way for students to interact personally with their audience and ideal for those who are hesitant to talk in front of a larger group.

Presentations may take the form of 15-minute lectures or performances, often utilizing PowerPoint technology. Student topic are arranged in sessions of 7 presentations and the presentation set is facilitated by a moderator.

If you are not sure whether a poster or a presentation is right for you, follow up with your faculty mentor.

Be sure to consider submitting a Travel SRACE. Application deadline is early Spring 2025 semester. To purchase a poster (~$60 and at cost of presenter), you can go through the Cougar Copy Center located on the ground floor of Davidson Student Center. You can also purchase a poster at a local office supply store.

Presenters are encouraged to be dressed in business casual attire. For more information about professional attire, please refer to the Center for Career Design's website.

Applications will be reviewed as soon as March 5, 2025. Notifications will be sent out as soon as March 12, 2025.

Students accepted to present at Tower Day will receive a letter of acceptance that includes the scheduled time commitment. Students are encouraged to share this letter with their faculty members as an excuse from class. Students wishing to attend the Tower Day event to support their peers should discuss this directly with the professor of the class where the conflict(s) occurs.

We would love your help as a faculty judge or reviewer! A form will be made available through the Kuali platform. Feel free to contact Dr. Kerri Taylor.

The event is open to the university and general public.