The Honors Symposium at Sinclair Community College gives students an opportunity to showcase examples of their honors and service learning projects.
According to Derek Petry, director of the Honors Program, symposium is a Greek word that has its origin in symposion, which means drinking party, while syn means together.
“It’s about Greeks who come together with great ideas while drinking,” Petry said. “That’s why we always have beverages at the symposium, because it means to come together and drink and share ideas.”
The Honors Symposium has been an annual event at Sinclair since 2009, where students have the opportunity to present PowerPoints and posters. The presentations displayed at the event will be judged, while those who choose to attend will be entered in a raffle.
In addition to presentations, various college representatives will be attending.
“It’s also a meet and greet with different colleges around the area,” Petry said. “This is the first year Ohio State is coming.”
Representatives from Ohio State University, Miami University, Wright State, Central State and Antioch University will be there to answer any questions a student may have with transferring.
Although the college has various clubs and organizations around campus, Petry feels the symposium is a great place for students to come together and showcase their work.
“This is a group of outstanding students doing outstanding things,” he said. “It’s outstanding work that people could stop by and take a look at, and know they won’t be disappointed.”
Various community organizations will also be in attendance, including Good Neighbor House, Dayton Habitat for Humanity, City of Kettering, Humane Society of Greater Dayton, We Care Arts, Project Read, The Dayton Foodbank, SunWatch Indian Village/Archeological Park, Dayton Garden Station Center, Life Essentials, Boys and Girls Club of Dayton and Five Rivers MetroParks, David Bodary, Communication Professor and Service Learning coordinator, said in an email.
“This opportunity is a great chance for faculty and students to learn more about the needs of these community agencies and begin planning for service and service learning in the summer and fall months,” he said.
Students can present in the morning from 10 a.m. to noon, or in the afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. During the lunch hour of noon to 1, the Communication department will host its annual speech meet competition.
“There are students who think they cannot come to the symposium because they don’t think they are honors material,” Petry said. “But you only have to have a 2.8 GPA to be in the honors program.”
Petry said the best part about the symposium is seeing all of the exceptional work.
“Its good for students to find their motivation at the symposium,” he said. “Every student always has a smile on their face even if they are nervous about presenting — it’s a great opportunity.”