Seton Hall will be holding its annual Petersheim Academic Exposition from Monday, April 20 to Saturday, April 25 in the Main Lounge of the University Center. Additional presentations will also be held in the Chancellor’s Suite, Walsh Library, and Beck Rooms. The expo “is a university-wide event that celebrates the scholarly achievement of undergraduate and graduate students through the sights and sounds of academic knowledge and its application,” according to shu.edu. It was founded by the late Dr. Matthew Petersheim, associate professor of chemistry at Seton Hall, who passed away in 1998. “The Petersheim Exhibition is an annual celebration of scholarly and academic achievement done by undergraduate and graduate students” of all majors, said Brian Wreckler, vice president of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Association at SHU and participant in the King-Mandela Symposium on Social Justice at the exposition. Like many Seton Hall students, freshman Mohammad Badwan mistakenly believed that the event is open solely to science majors. “I had no idea that anyone could participate,” he said. “I thought it was only for bio and chem majors.” Raul Ausa Velazco, who has also presented in the King-Mandela Symposium on Global Justice, and will be involved with the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Association at this year’s exposition, makes it clear that all students will have a chance to share their work: “While science and STEM students do make up a good portion of the presenters, and have much to contribute, the exposition is open to all students who might have ideas to share with the community,” Velazco said. Rev. Forrest Pritchett, a freshman studies mentor, program director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Program, and committee member for the Petersheim Exposition, emphasized that it is an opportunity for Seton Hall to proudly “display the academic accomplishments of its students,” in much the same way that athletic achievements are highlighted. Though it may seem intimidating to exhibit academic work to the SHU community at large, past and present participants have positive words about the experience. “Last year I was privileged to help represent MLKSA in the expo by presenting an essay eulogy for the late Nelson Mandela, in whose honor we announced we would be establishing an annual symposium on social justice,” said Ausa Velazco. He encouraged students to “take the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and interests and that of their peers on campus. There are so many great programs at SHU with bright students doing great things that we might not otherwise hear about.” Wreckler also believes that students should take a chance at presenting about subjects that interest them and that they find important. Not only that, but at the exposition, “students have the power to steer the discussion, as opposed to being lectured in a classroom,” giving them more of a voice. The application for presentations can be accessed at https:// setonhall.formstack.com/forms/ development_petersheim_application and is due by Friday, April 10. Any questions about the Petersheim Exposition can be sent to Dr. Jose Lopez at jose.lopez1@ shu.edu. Noora Badwan can be reached at noora.badwan@student.shu.edu.
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