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Eastern to host 25th annual CREATE conference April 25

Conference showcases the best undergraduate research and creativity

Willimantic, CT (04/23/2025) — Eastern Connecticut State University will hold its 25th annual CREATE Conference on April 25 throughout the day in the Student Center. Standing for "Celebrating Research Excellence and Artistic Talent at Eastern," the one-day conference features hundreds of undergraduate students showcasing their research and creative activities.

  • For the full CREATE program, visit the website and see attachments below.
  • www.easternct.edu/create

Featuring disciplines from across the University, students will lead oral presentations, poster sessions, live music performances, artwork displays, documentary screenings, and panel discussions.

"From research and visual art to performances, photography, video, dance, theater, and music, CREATE stands as a testament to the creativity (and scholarship) of Eastern students," said sociology Professor Nicolas Simon, chair of the CREATE committee.

Dean of Arts and Sciences Emily Todd agreed: "Students from all disciplines - the arts, humanities, social sciences, STEM, education, business - present their work at CREATE, a real testament to the breadth of the liberal arts education offered at Eastern."

With 270 student submissions and more than 80 faculty mentors, CREATE is an opportunity for students to refine their communication skills, demonstrate their creativity, and receive feedback from the wider university community.

"CREATE's 25-year commitment to prioritize faculty mentoring of student research and creative activity has been a defining moment of the undergraduate experience for thousands of students," said CREATE co-founder Amy Coffey, associate dean of arts and sciences.

Concurrent sessions with thought-provoking themes such as biracial representation in portraiture and the ethics of artificial intelligence in creative writing will run first from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and later from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Student Center Mezzanine and meeting rooms.

Poster presentations with research on topics such as childhood temperament and parental depression and socioemotional health in college students will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Betty R. Tipton Room. Art exhibits, including mixed media, digital, and wearable art pieces, will run from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Alvin B. Wood Support Services Center.

In addition to the presentations, awards will be presented to students and faculty mentors in recognition of their outstanding contributions. The President's Award for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity will be given to two students who have demonstrated excellence in their scholarly or artistic work.

The Mentor Award will be presented to faculty members who have made significant contributions to advancing undergraduate research and creative skills at Eastern through their guidance, support, and dedication.

Conference co-founder and environmental earth science Professor Drew Hyatt spoke of the impact of the conference over the years. "CREATE reflects many years of celebrating the research experience for students at Eastern that has benefitted from many people's contributions over the years, including many faculty, numerous committees, and most importantly the students who gained confidence through their exposure to CREATE," he said.

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

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