EIU Graduate School

2026 GRADUATE STUDENT EXPOSITION

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Join us in celebrating the creativity, research, and achievements of EIU's graduate students!

Hosted by the Graduate Student Advisory Council, the Council on Graduate Studies, and the EIU Graduate School, the 2026 Graduate Student Exposition features the 3MT^®️ (Three Minute Thesis Competition), the Graduate School Research and Creative Activity Exhibition and the Distinguished Graduate Student Awards Ceremony to showcase and honor the exceptional work of our graduate community.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | MLK Union Grand Ballroom | Time TBD 

Be a part of this exciting inaugural event at EIU!! The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is a fast-paced, engaging event that challenges students to explain their research in just three minutes, using only one static slide and language accessible to a general audience. It’s designed to help students sharpen their communication skills and clearly convey why their research matters.

Hosted by the Graduate School and the Pine Honors College, this 3MT-style competition is open to both undergraduate and graduate students and reflects the spirit and format of the original event developed by the University of Queensland and held worldwide. Due to scheduling timelines, EIU participants will not advance to the international 3MT competition; however, the experience still offers a valuable opportunity for students to practice communicating their research and showcase their work to the campus community.

INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE 3MT? 

Complete the form found here: 3MT Intent to Participate Form by MARCH 15, 2026.

GRADUATE SCHOOL RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY EXHIBITION

Explore the research, artistry and innovation of EIU's graduate students! Highlighting the work completed during the 2025-2026 school year, the Graduate Student Research and Creative Activity Exhibition is open to the campus and surrounding community. Light refreshments will be served.

Graduate students can register here: Graduate Student Research & Creative Activity Exhibition Registration Form 

• Setup for the Exhibition can begin at approximately 3:30 p.m. (Easels and tables will be provided).
• Presenters are encouraged to be with their exhibits during the Exhibition

QUESTIONS?

Contact Myra Taylor, Graduate School Support Specialist via email at metaylor4@eiu.edu or at 217-581-8341.

DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS CEREMONY

Celebrate excellence in graduate scholarship!

The ceremony honors recipients of the Robert and Kathryn Augustine Distinguished Master's Thesis Award, as well as winners of the Graduate Thesis Awards of Excellence, King-Mertz Research/Creative Activity Awards, Distinguished Graduate Student Awards, and the prestigious Hamand Scholars, and other with graduate school scholarship winners.

Join us to applaud their outstanding achievements and celebrate the remarkable talent within our graduate community.