Instead of squeaking shoes and bouncing basketballs, tables and posters were set up April 10 in the Wellness Center, where students talked about their research from this semester.

Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar said he was excited to see students’ research results felt proud of faculty members’ and students’ hard work for the Symposium for the Promotion of Academic and Creative Enquiry.

“I learned a lot from this event because there were new things for me, too,” he said.

Spectar said this is the 12th year the event has been held.

“I want to collect the results from our faculty and students, and this will guide the future (research) for our Pitt-Johnstown family,” Spectar said.

“It’s an amazing event, and I am looking forward to more research in the future.”

Chemistry professor Marsha Grimminger said this is her fourth year as the symposium coordinator.

“I was in the Wellness Center at 8 a.m. getting ready for the event,” Grimminger said.

Grimminger said the event was a good way for her to know the Humanities Division students and faculty members.

“The Fall into Research (symposium in the fall semester) mostly features natural science and engineering students and their research and outcomes during the summer and fall, but the event will have more students from business and enterprise, education and humanities (presenting) their results,” she said.

“It’s a great way for all students to learn outside of their majors.”

Junior Brianna Facciani’s research poster focused on the attacks on iconic monuments in France.

“I will go to Paris for my summer class and want to keep up with my research,” she said.

“Destruction of historical monuments will have a negative influence on the next generation.”

Facciani said she hopes to encourage more people to protect historical monuments, not only in France, but all around the world.

She said she knows how difficult that can be.

Biology professor Luis Bonachea said he has three years’ experience helping with this event.

Bonachea said the number of posters increases each year. 

“There were around 80 posters when I took over this position, but there were around 120 posters this year,” he said.

“There used to be only natural science posters, but, right now, there is more Humanities research in this event.

“It’s a good chance for me to know about other parts of Pitt-Johnstown.”