This year marks the 20th anniversary of the IU Southeast Student Conference and Showcase that highlights undergraduate and graduate research and creativity in work projects that involve over 300 students across 57 academic programs. The annual event is the largest student research conference in the Indiana University system.

One of the biggest proponents of this successful event from the very beginning has been Marcia Texler Segal, Ph.D. Segal started out at IU Southeast as an assistant professor in 1970. She became a full professor in 1987 and also served as associate vice chancellor from 1988 to 2004. Since 2004, she has been a Professor Emerita of Sociology.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy at IU Southeast by Supporting Student Research

Over the course of her 30-year career, Segal has presented at conferences and published research in the U.S. and other countries, represented the IU system in assignments in Africa and Central Asia, co-authored or been the editor of three books including one with IU Southeast colleagues and one that was used as a text in a course at IU Southeast. In 1997 Segal established and co-edited a book series, Advances in Gender Research. She continues to work on that series; volumes 34 and 35 will be published in 2024 by Emerald Publishing in the United Kingdom.

Student research has always been a top priority and one of Segal’s crowning achievements was starting the IU Southeast Student Research conference on campus and also the Indiana University system-wide research conference.

“Students need to learn how to apply what they’ve learned and working with faculty on research projects and presenting it can be a great way to get prepared for the professional world after school,” said Segal. “Many of the people who teach at IU Southeast really want to work directly with students. There is a good interchange between faculty members and students who are heavily involved in research, whether it's helping a faculty member or the faculty member advising the student’s individual research. Another advantage to having these opportunities is to help prepare our students for either the world of work or graduate school, this adds to their resume, and it makes them a much more attractive candidate for either a job in some area related to what they've done or for graduate school admission and financial support.”

After retiring, Segal continues to be a judge during the conference and has witnessed a diverse array of not only research project presentations but also other student project presentations in fields of study like nursing, education, business and fine arts that showcase student accomplishments.

“I definitely have seen the growth and sophistication of a student’s project and presentation over the course of their time at IU Southeast,” said Segal. “From a first-year student’s presentation to their junior or senior year, you can really measure the growth of the professionalism of their presentations and the depth and complexity of their research. Our students are doing more than book learning and taking notes. They are bringing their ability to gain new knowledge, conduct research, investigate a problem, and present the information that they have gained. These skills will be relevant to their future job.”

Proud Underwriting Sponsors of the IU Southeast Student Conference and Showcase

The past two years, Segal and her husband have underwritten the cost of the event.

“My husband Edwin earned his doctorate at Indiana University and we both wanted to make a more substantial contribution to IU Southeast,” said Segal. “Since I was heavily involved with student research from the beginning, supporting the conference and showcase was a good fit. I would love to see more people who have successfully participated in the event get involved with making donations to help ensure the future of the event. There are also opportunities to sponsor awards in the different departments and disciplines. We want people from the community to see what kind of talent we are nurturing here at IU Southeast.”

For more information about the IU Southeast Student Conference and Showcase, please visit: Student Research : Indiana University Southeast (iu.edu)

To learn how you can support the event, please contact Joe Glover at 812-941-2661 or email: joglover@iu.edu