SDC Version 09

Scholars Day Celebration (SDC) planning process (version 1.0)

Introduction

Each spring, Monmouth College celebrates the academic achievements of the students. The campus community comes together to celebrate, along aside the Founder’s Day activities, these student scholars. This celebration is known as the "Scholars Day Celebration".

"A great majority of Monmouth College students engage in academic scholarship above and beyond standard academic expectations put before them in the classroom. It is too often the case that this scholarship stays confined to the boundaries of the classroom or academic building. It is time to free these activities and to come together as a campus to share the excitement that happens each day at Monmouth College." (March 31, 2011 announcement of the 1st Annual SDC)

Scholarship is broadly defined as an inquiry or investigation conducted by a student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline (as defined by the Council on Undergraduate Research). This scholarship can be a result of student-faculty collaboration, an independent study, or project that highlights exemplary works done as a part of coursework. Presentations can take the form of a poster, an exhibit, a reading, an oral presentation (not as common), a theatrical or musical performance, or a summary of a larger performance. All presentations will have a faculty or staff sponsor who is ultimately responsible for insuring the intellectual merit. All students are welcome to present; all students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.

Planning Committee

Student Affairs and Support Committee (SASC) is responsible for the planning of SDC.

General Event Structure

SDC has previously been held in on the upper concourse of the Huff Center, on the lower level ("field house") of the Huff Center, or in the Center for Science and Business. Each has it benefits, but the upper concourse of the Huff Center offers a more engaging community feel.

SDC is only one part of the Founder's Day Celebration. Other events include:

- Honors Convocation in the Dahl Chapel (~11 am - 12 pm).

- Scholarship luncheon organized by the Development Office (~12-1 pm).

- SDC 2-4 pm.

- Sometimes evening events are arranged.

During the SDC there are usually multiple sessions so that students can present in one and visit in the other. It was noted that 1-hour sessions was a bit too long for a student to present their work, so in 2024 we had 3 sessions:

- 2-2:30, Session 1

- 2:30 - 3:00 Session 2

- Interlude: President/Dean Welcome, with Wind Ensemble (set up on field house floor) playing 1-2 songs before and after (2:50-3:00 and 3:10-3:20).

- 3:10 - 3:40 Session 3

- 3:30 - 4:00 Band

Timing

Early Fall (once committee assignments are made)

- The majority of the planning efforts are in the spring semester, but it is important to remind faculty in the fall that they can use SDC as a forum to present final projects/research. If reminder early, they can include such requirements in their syllabus.

- As a part of SASC assigning committee roles, someone needs to be assigned the primary coordinator for the event, the SDC coordinator.

- SACS/SDC coordinator needs to confirm with the Dean that they are still interested in the SDC and discuss funding. Historically, there is no budget (4/2024) set aside for SDC but we just spend $ and the Dean's office pays for it.

- While in discussion with the Dean, Ask to have the event added to both the Dean and Presidents calendars.

- New committee members should be briefed on the event.

- 2022 Work order

- Work order basics

Oct/Nov

- email faculty reminding them about SDC.

Example

- SDC coordinator should ask the Dean to attend the Program/Dept Chair's Meeting to promote widespread involvement in the event and answer any questions.

January (late)

Send official announcement/Save-the-Date of the SDC to students (ask the Student representative to send this email), faculty, and staff indicating online registering will start in late March for the event, date, time, and location. Share last year's highlights https://www.monmouthcollege.edu/scholars-day/

Feb-March

- the fun begins...

- Decide if there will be a "pin" given to all presenters. This has been paid (~$400) for in the past by the College President. We order 200 pins since this is the smallest amount. Nancy St. Ledger has ordering info.

- Work with Tim Bridge/Communication Office on the online registration page

https://www.monmouthcollege.edu/live/forms/74-scholars-day-celebration-registration-form