More than 400 students registered for Thursday's Capstone Design and Graduate Engineering Research Showcases
Published: Mar 31, 2025 9:00 AM
By Joe McAdory
More than 400 Auburn Engineering students will display their research and design projects in separate competitions/showcases on Thursday, April 3.
The 12th annual Graduate Engineering Research Showcase (GERS) and the college’s second Capstone Design Showcase will provide students with the opportunity to present their research and designs before industry professionals, faculty and peers.
The Capstone Design Showcase kicks off the day at 9:30 a.m. in the Brown-Kopel Center ballroom, where 297 undergraduate students will exhibit senior design projects. A networking lunch will follow in Gavin Gardens.
Presented by the college’s Council of Engineering Graduate Students, more than 150 graduate students will take center stage inside the Brown-Kopel Center ballroom at 1:30 p.m. for GERS, where $8,000 in prizes are at stake. That event will conclude with an awards dinner at 6 p.m.
Maria Auad, associate dean for graduate studies and faculty development, emphasized the significance of the research showcase for students looking to make an impact in their careers.
“The upcoming research showcase is an invaluable opportunity for our students to present their hard work and innovative projects to potential employers,” Auad said. “This event serves as the best platform to expose our students to industry leaders and recruiters who are actively seeking talented individuals to join their teams.”
Auad also highlighted the advantages of research experience for students entering the workforce, noting that it helps them develop critical problem-solving skills, resilience, and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
“Participating in research projects often involves teamwork and collaboration, allowing students to develop strong interpersonal skills,” she said. “They learn to work with diverse groups, manage conflicts, and leverage the strengths of their peers to achieve common goals. These experiences prepare them to thrive in dynamic and collaborative work environments.”
Dean Hendrix, associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment, underscored the vital role of the undergraduate capstone design experience in engineering education.
“The capstone design project is an essential component of engineering education. It not only reinforces classroom learning but also allows students to engage in hands-on problem-solving that mirrors real-world challenges,” Hendrix said. “Employers today are looking for graduates who can think independently, adapt to new technologies and collaborate effectively — skills that are developed through capstone design projects.”
Hendrix also pointed to the Capstone Design Showcase as a crucial steppingstone for students as they transition from academia to industry.
“This showcase is more than just a presentation; it’s a launching pad for students entering the workforce,” he said. “Industry professionals attending the event will see firsthand how Auburn engineers approach challenges, develop solutions, and work in teams, and students will gain invaluable experience in communicating their work to a diverse audience, including those outside their technical discipline,” Hendrix added.
Jonathan Pettus, recently appointed as executive director of the Auburn University Applied Research Institute in Huntsville, will serve as keynote speaker for both the capstone and GERS awards ceremonies.
Media Contact: , jem0040@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447
The Graduate Engineering Research Showcase enters its 12th iteration.
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