Achievements Take Center Stage at FOSA

On Monday, April 14, accomplishments from every discipline at Rockhurst University will be on display during the annual Festival of Student Achievement.

The event is designed to showcase the talents of University students in all areas of academics and leadership with a full day of demonstrations, displays and performances.

From math and science to fine arts, 91 different entries will be featured during this year’s FOSA, each an outstanding work done by a University student. Zdenka Guadarrama, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics, co-organizer of the FOSA and chairwoman of the Undergraduate Research Scholarship and Creative Activities Committee, said the event is an academic one, but is also meant to be a festive occasion.

“We want it to be a party, a celebration of leadership and achievement,” she said. “We hope it will be inspiring to everyone.”

FOSA begins at 2:30 p.m. in the Massman Gallery with musical performances. An opening ceremony featuring comments from Chris Trani, ’03, maker of the documentary film “An American House,” follows at 3 p.m.

Interactive stoas, such as the presentation of numerous student-produced zines, and oral and poster presentations are scheduled to take place throughout the St. Ignatius Science Center, along with an art exhibition on the building’s first floor east hall. Students whose research projects have been nominated by a faculty member for inclusion in the Rockhurst Outstanding Research Seminar will begin their presentations at 4:30 p.m. inside Ignatius Science Center room 315.

Between 4:30 and 5:15 p.m. outside room 206 in the Ignatius Science Center, alumni are scheduled to build a 6-foot-diameter sculpture with the theme “learning, leadership and service.”

The ceremony honoring the student, faculty, staff and organizational recipients of academic, leadership and service awards will take place between 3:30 and 4 p.m. in the Massman Gallery.

Following a closing ceremony at 7:15 p.m. in the first floor of Sedgwick Hall, FOSA will conclude with a Rockhurst University Theatre performance of “Rent” at 7:30 p.m. in Mabee Theater.

Find more information on FOSA, including a complete schedule and list of awards, here.