Wayne State College’s Pi Gamma Mu honors students are preparing to send in their papers for a chance to present them in Philadelphia, PA in November 1-3.
Pi Gamma Mu is holding its National Convention where students can send in research papers about the social sciences for the chance to present them in front of fellow PGM members from other colleges.
Papers are reviewed by a committee who decide which papers will be presented at the convention. Students whose papers are chosen convert their papers into 10-minute speeches that will be presented at the event, though they do not read their speeches word for word.
As of Sept. 4, there are about six WSC students preparing papers for submission, which is the average number by WSC submissions per convention year.
Students who are presenting papers are competing not only for recognition, but money. The top ten presenters at the national convention receive cash prizes.
“Students who live in Nebraska do not usually travel to large metropolitan areas, but when they compete with students from prestigious universities, they learn just how smart they are,” Jean Karlen, an advisor for PGM, said. “Without that experience, they have nothing to compare themselves to.”
There is also an opportunity for those without a paper to present. Students can create posters that detail any aspect of the social sciences and present them in a more casual setting.
Students with posters are placed in one room where spectators can walk between presenting groups and ask questions. There will be two posters detailing the history of WSC showcased in Philadelphia.
The convention occurs every three years, but the one happening in November is particularly special. Not only is this the first in-person meeting since 2017, but it is also the 100th convention held. Because of the added significance of the 100th anniversary, there will be additional events aside from student speeches and poster presentations.
Student trustees will be voted onto the board for a three-year term, and a current WSC graduate will be taking her leave from the board. Nobel peace prize winners will be presenting, and a leadership development program will be offered to students attending the convention.
Above all, students have the opportunity to network with other members of the honor society.
“Networking is working across the distance and having cross disciplinary interaction,” Randy Bertolas, faculty advisor for Pi Gamma Mu, said. “You get to meet people who think the same way as you, and yet so differently.”
