Students present in the “Global Leaders for Peace” session during the 2025 Showcase. This year’s showcase includes 25 student panels, Lunch on the Lawn with student musical performances, and the Academic Awards ceremony. Photo by Caitlin Corll
By Jason Aparicio
William Peace University will feature student research, creative projects, and professional work at its 21st annual Showcase today.
The all-day campus event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and includes 25 student-led sessions with more than 140 students presenting. Additional activities include Lunch on the Lawn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with live musical performances by Peace students, and an Academic Awards ceremony in the Dinwiddie Chapel with a reception following. Find the full schedule at bit.ly/PeaceShowcase.
Rather than a traditional day of classes, Showcase is designed as an interactive conference where students present their work and engage directly with attendees. Guests will have opportunities to ask questions, discuss ideas, and learn about projects spanning multiple disciplines.
For many students, it’s a way to reflect on their growth and share work with their peers, providing students with a valuable platform to present their ideas and work to a wider audience. Gracen Crow, a sophomore double-majoring in business analytics and business administration, said it represents the fulfillment of a year of effort.
“It’s the culmination of all their efforts, hard work, the blood, sweat, and tears that students have poured their time into,” said Crow. “It’s finally the opportunity for everyone else to see what their peers have done and spent their time doing.”
The event begins with “Be Better Tomorrow: A Technical Art Installation,” where attendees can take part in a guided walkthrough of innovative student-created projects. Examples of other student sessions include “Designs for Shakespeare’s Plays,” which explores the artistic vision and technical work behind bringing Shakespeare to life on stage; “Research in Psychology & Business,” touching on the influence of video gaming on social connectedness and stress in college students; and “Research in Biological Science,” which talks about student research in nearby Crabtree Creek.
“Showcase gives students a chance to share their accomplishments of all types,” said Marti Maguire, an associate professor of communication and chair of the speakers and events committee, which organizes Showcase. “They might be academic accomplishments, professional accomplishments, or they might be creative accomplishments, and so it’s a chance for students to shine in all different ways.”
Nathan Cochran, a senior majoring in business administration, underlines the significance of the preparation, professionalism, and pride in the work being presented to guests attending the event.
“I think it matters because this is one of the biggest opportunities you get to present your work in at Peace, especially when compared to larger institutions that have more funding and opportunities,” said Cochran.
Cochran will be attending his first Showcase and presenting at the Internship Showcase.
“I’m going to be presenting my internship experience, which I look forward to, while also having a fun day learning a lot of interesting things that I may have never heard of before,” he said.