This post was written by Graduate Research Center Operations Manager Jonathan Tomes.
Summer is a time of planning and preparation for the Graduate Research Center (GRC). Fewer students use our spaces in the summer than during the fall and spring semesters. GRC staff take advantage of this opportunity for strategic planning for the future and superior stewardship of our facilities.
The summer kicked off with the Dissertation Writing Lab. This annual event is hosted by the GRC in partnership with the Graduate School. This year, the lab went from May 20-24, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The week-long event is designed to help doctoral students develop productive writing habits, while making significant progress on their dissertations. Participants must have an approved prospectus and must be far enough along in their projects to devote a full week to writing. The event was open to all doctoral candidates.
The GRC hosted the iEngage Civics Summer Institute, a camp offered by the Baylor School of Education. On August 6, five activity stations, which focused on civic engagement and themes relevant to the week, were led by Poage, GRC, and student staff.
The GRC also hosted a tour in cooperation with the Dr. Pepper Museum and the University of North Texas, during which we highlighted our spaces and technology including the Viz Wall. Smaller groups toured the GRC toward the end of the summer. On August 21, the GRC hosted the New Graduate Student Open House. More than 300 hundred students participated in the Information Fair set up in the incubator.
The final event, and the bridge between summer planning and fall execution, is the Graduate Student Reception. The GRC will host this reception for its third year today, Thursday, August 29, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. This event will feature Libraries staff and student speakers highlighting the many services available at Baylor University, as well as welcoming introductions by deans John Wilson and Larry Lyon. The Open House is an important event for the GRC and the Baylor libraries and is key toward our launch into the new academic year.