Tower Day - April 24, 2026

Columbus State University’s Tower Day Research Conference is an annual celebration and showcasing of student and faculty academic and creative endeavors. Participants from all majors present, discuss, and network about research and artistic productions.

Tower Day will be held at the Cunningham Conference Center, located at 3100 Gentian Blvd, Columbus, Georgia, on Friday, April 24, 2026.

Any current student, recent graduate, or faculty member of CSU may submit an abstract to present at Tower Day. The primary requirement for student submissions is that the academic or creative work must have been completed while the individual was enrolled as a CSU student.

You will need to enter the following information in the online submission form:

Required Information:

• Project Title
• Project Abstract (150-word limit)
• Mode of Presentation (e.g., Poster, 15-minute presentation)
• Equipment needs (e.g., DVD, PowerPoint)
• Full names and academic level of all student collaborators
• Full names and departments of all faculty mentors

Other Information (the following responses will not impact whether or not your project is selected for Tower Day):

• If the project originated as a class assignment, you will need the course name and number (e.g., PSYC 4125)
• If the project has been previously presented, published, or received an award, you will need the relevant names, dates, and/or journal citations.
• If the project was funded by a grant, you will need source, type, and amount

Presenters can use this Tower Day Application Guide (PDF) to prepare.

Abstracts must be submitted using the online form available on the Tower Day webpage. You must be logged in to MyCSU to access the form. Alternatively, you can find the application by logging into your MyCSU account, selecting the “Student” tab, opening the “Student Records” menu, and then choosing “CSU Tower Day Application” under the “Applications” section.

If a student is presenting work completed for a class or conducted independent research under the guidance of a faculty, the instructor or the faculty is considered the faculty mentor and should be listed as such on the student’s abstract submission. The faculty mentor will then be responsible for reviewing and signing off on the student’s submission before it goes forward for committee review.

If multiple faculty mentors have assisted the student, the student should consult with them to determine who will serve as the primary faculty mentor. Typically, this is the faculty member who contributed the most time to the project. All faculty mentors should be acknowledged and formally thanked in the presentation.

The primary faculty mentor will be copied on all correspondence and will be the first mentor listed. If several faculty mentors have assisted you, discuss this issue with them. In general, you should select a faculty mentor in the department the project is predominantly based, and one who devoted the greatest amount of time to the project. All faculty mentors will be recognized and formally thanked.

Student abstracts must be submitted no later than Monday, February 23, 2026. Early submission deadline is Monday, February 10, 2026.

Please see the “2025-2026 Important Dates” flyer under the resources tab.

In person presentation options will be available to include poster presentations, oral presentations, demonstrations, and art displays or performances. Mentor led sessions are also included and the description of the presentation types can be found under the resource tab.

Poster sessions consist of a collection of student projects presented concurrently in a room (in person) with projects from various disciplines. Students present their work on triboards or standard poster boards and spend an hour talking to small groups who circulate throughout the room. This is a great way for students to interact personally with their audience and ideal for those who are hesitant to talk in front of a larger group.

Oral presentations may take the form of 15-minute lectures or performances, often utilizing PowerPoint technology. Student topics are typically arranged in sessions of 7 presentations and the presentation set is facilitated by a moderator.

If you are not sure whether a poster or a presentation is right for you, follow up with your faculty mentor.

Be sure to consider submitting an application for the SRACE Travel Grants. Application deadline for SRACE grants is typically early in the fall and spring semesters. To purchase a poster (~$60 and at cost of presenter), you can go through the Cougar Copy Center located on the ground floor of Davidson Student Center. You can also purchase a poster at a local office supply store.

Presenters are encouraged to be dressed in business casual attire. For more information about professional attire, please refer to the Center for Career Design's website.

Applications will be reviewed around March 4, 2026, and notice of acceptance will begin being sent to selected/accepted students as of March 12, 2026.

If you have a class on the day of the event, you can request an excuse letter from the Tower Day committee by emailing Dr. Kerri Shelton Taylor or Dr. Bryan Banks

We would love your help as a faculty judge or reviewer! Abstract reviewers will be notified by Kuali. A Microsoft form will be given day of the Tower Day conference. Student volunteers are needed day of for moderator role and check in assistance. Contact Dr. Kerri Taylor for information on either role.

Registration is required for all presenters. Each member of an accepted group project who is listed as a presenter must register by the published deadline to secure the group’s place in the event schedule. The registration fee is $10 for undergraduate students and $20 for graduate students and faculty. Non-presenters are not required to register. Guests of presenters are asked to register for a fee of $10 so that we can allow for the proper food during the breakfast and lunch portion of the program.

The event is open to the university and general public.