print | close window | Campus Buzz Creativity and Research Straight from the SOURCE At universities worldwide, research is expected of both graduate and doctoral students. But what about the outstanding work of undergraduate students? More than 200 students flocked to the Manhattan campus on April 22 for the second annual Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). This multicampus, interdisciplinary event featured more than 50 student presentations ranging from computer graphics to architecture and design to poetry. With peers, faculty members and parents in attendance, students expressed their creativity through a variety of media, including film, PowerPoint presentations, physical models and animation. President Edward Guiliano, Ph.D., was on hand to congratulate the students on their achievements, and present them with special certificates and monetary awards. Students themselves were pleased with the opportunities to present their own research and creative projects, and learn about other subjects. “We came here because we wanted to show our work and, in the process, lead by example,” says Dan Nardone, a communication arts student and May 2005 graduate. “It’s also good to see what other students are up to.” A team of undergraduates presents How Does the Use of Visual Aids Affect Reading Comprehension? at this year’s SOURCE. Nardone and fellow May 2005 graduate Dennis Lisberger presented, “Letting Go: The Making of a Film Through the Eyes of a Student Director and Producer,” which examined how a college education can help students reach their goals in the entertainment industry. The keynote speaker at this year’s SOURCE was astronaut Tom Henricks, the first person to log more than 1,000 hours as a NASA space shuttle pilot/commander. He presented video clips of memorable moments from his flights, discussing both real-world concerns of space travel as well as the natural beauty of the Earth from the window of the space shuttle. Henricks emphasized the importance of higher education and the tremendous professional freedom that goes along with a college degree. By combining science as well as artistic expression, “Henricks was able to reach the entire audience,” says Dr. Roger Yu, dean of the School of Arts, Sciences and Communication and chair of the SOURCE Committee. “This event is not for specific subjects. It’s about all the students. It’s about NYIT.”   Send feedback and story ideas to alumni@nyit.edu.   top | print | close window | ©2006 New York Institute of Technology. All rights reserved.