July 21, 2015

SEC Students to Showcase Creative, Entrepreneurial Skills at SEC Symposium

SEC students visit during the SEC Presidents, Chancellors and Provosts Reception at the 2014 SEC Symposium

By: Bryant Welbourne
SECU (Twitter: @TheSECU)

The 2015 SEC Symposium, entitled Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Driving a 21st Century Economy, will take place Sept. 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. This year’s event, led by the University of Florida, will explore the university’s role in preparing individuals to be creative, innovative and entrepreneurial thinkers and to evaluate the ways in which universities serve as drivers of economic development. The event will also include several activities for SEC university students of all levels to showcase their creative and entrepreneurial talents.

“The University of Florida has organized a unique program for this year’s SEC Symposium as it relates to student participation,” said Torie Johnson, Executive Director the SEC’s Academic Initiative. “In lieu of the research posters typically presented during an academic conference, we are excited to have students on hand to present their work in the arts, music and entrepreneurship. In addition, we are looking forward to the opportunity to communicate what is happening across the SEC in these important areas of higher education.”

A creative works exhibition will include pieces created by students from every SEC university. Pieces will be divided into the categories of applied and visual works. Applied works include architectural designs, digital renderings and mobile applications, while visual pieces will include paintings, photographs and sculptures. The creative works exhibition will take place during the SEC Presidents, Chancellors and Provosts Reception.

The reception will also feature a jazz music ensemble comprised of student musicians from each Conference university. The group’s impromptu performance will showcase not only each individual’s talent, but also the strength of the performance arts at SEC universities.

Teams representing each SEC university will have the opportunity to display their business skills during an entrepreneurial pitch competition. The teams will present their innovative ideas to a panel of judges consisting of SEC alumni who have excelled in the business world. The winner of the competition will be announced during the SEC Presidents, Chancellors and Provosts Reception.

The SEC Symposium is part of SECU, the academic initiative of the Southeastern Conference. SECU serves as the primary mechanism through which the academic endeavors and achievements of SEC students and faculty are highlighted and supported. To learn more about the 2015 event and to register, visit www.SECSymposium.com.