SpearsFest 2024

April 16, 2024 All Day

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SpearsFest 2024 FAQs

When is SpearsFest this year?

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

What is SpearsFest?

SpearsFest is a day when members of the Columbia College community are invited to share with one another the wide variety of academic excellence and experiential learning occurring across campus. Students, faculty, and staff are all invited to present and attend individual and group presentations. The program runs conference style with presentations and events throughout the day in classrooms and event spaces across campus. Annual evening programs will follow in Spears Concert Hall and Cottingham Theater. Classes before 5pm are canceled for the day to allow the community to participate in this celebration recognizing community, leadership, and service learning. 

What time is SpearsFest? Is there a schedule of events? 

9am - Opening Ceremony & Reception

Morning/Afternoon* - Concurrent Presentations

Evening* - Annual Programs & Events 

*A complete schedule for the day with detailed information on all presentations and their times & locations will be released AFTER the deadline for presentation proposals (April 2). Watch for the schedule to be sent by email the week prior to SpearsFest. 

What's this year's theme?

This year's theme is Transformation.

Please note, presentations do NOT have to be related to the annual theme. 

How can I participate? 
  • Present 
    • Classroom style presentation 
      • As an individual (typically 25 minutes)
      • As part of a group (typically 50 minutes)
    • Poster style presentation
      • As an individual or group, create and display an academic poster on a table at a walkabout reception. (You should be available to answer questions and share about your research or experience while referencing the images, text, tables, and/or graphs that you've used on your poster to summarize your research or experience. Typically 90 minutes)  
  • Attend 
    • The week before SpearsFest a schedule of events will be posted on the website, and shared via email. The schedule will be created AFTER presentation registration closes. 
How do I sign-up to present? 

To register to present, please submit a Presentation Proposal form. 

What is the deadline to register by submitting a Presentation Proposal? 

Please register before April 2, 2024 (firm deadline)

What are the awards given out every year at SpearsFest? 
  • The Caroline Whitson "Leadership Makes a Difference" Student Award 
    • This award goes to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to community service and/or service learning throughout their undergraduate career. Recipients of this award demonstrate social awareness or willingness to affect social change through service.
    • Nomination Form
  • The Caroline Whitson "Leadership Makes a Difference" Corporate & Community Professional Award
    • This award goes to an agency or organization that demonstrates a commitment to human rights within the communities in which they work or do business. Recipients of this award demonstrate social responsibility that is embodied within their corporate or organization strategic planning. 
    • Nomination Form 
Why is it called SpearsFest?

SpearsFest is named in honor of Dr. Spears, who served as president of Columbia College from 1951-1977. When Reverend Doctor R. Wright Spears was hired in 1951, the Board of Trustees said they were looking for a president with “enthusiasm, energy, vision, and commanding respect.” For over 20 years, Dr. Spears demonstrated these qualities and more, forever changing the institution and its community.

Who do I contact if I have a question about SpearsFest, or want to submit an event (not a presentation) to the schedule? 

Please contact Career & Student Success Services at css@columbiasc.edu 

Still not sure what SpearsFest is all about, take a look back at SpearsFest through the years...

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