Annual Academic Symposium showcases the liberal arts in action

McDaniel's Academic Symposium on Monday, May 5, highlights the original research, scholarship, and creative achievements of McDaniel students, faculty, and staff. Plus, two special events take place including a Community Networking Breakfast & Presentation of the Phi Beta Kappa Lifelong Learner Award and a Keynote Lunch with McDaniel College Budapest Professor Gábor Molnár (advance registration is required for both the breakfast and lunch events).

McDaniel hosts the college's annual Academic Symposium on Monday, May 5. The daylong event from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. showcases the liberal arts in action with presentations highlighting the original research, scholarship, and creative achievements of McDaniel students, faculty, and staff.

Various academic departments are represented throughout the day, including Art, Biology, Chemistry, Economics and Business Administration, Education, English, Environmental Studies, History, Kinesiology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Theatre Arts, and World Languages, Literatures & Cultures, along with Graduate and Professional Studies, among others.

View the Academic Sessions Schedule

Special events in conjunction with the day:

Bernie Vogel of JeannieBird Baking Company with students under a sign saying "Welcome Students"

Community Networking Breakfast & Presentation of the Phi Beta Kappa Lifelong Learner Award Advance registration is required.

Community leaders and partners join McDaniel, staff, faculty, and students for a networking breakfast to recognize the college’s involvement in the region. Additionally, the 2025 Delta of Maryland Lifelong Learner Award from the Phi Beta Kappa national honor society at McDaniel College will be awarded to Bernie Vogel of JeannieBird Baking Company.

View full details and register to attend

Keynote Lunch with McDaniel College Budapest Professor Gábor Molnár, Ph.D. Advance registration is required.

Keynote Lunch with Gábor Molnár, who teaches World Literature at McDaniel’s European campus in Budapest, Hungary. Titled “Like a Moth into a Flame: Reading Nature from East to West,” Molnár explores how cultural conventions shape our reading of nature and how old Middle Eastern literary traditions can deepen our understanding of modern Western texts by examining the most significant moment of a moth’s life.

View full details and register to attend

View full details and the complete Academic Symposium schedule