Spring Undergraduate Research Forum

The Virginia Wesleyan University 2026 Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) will take place on Friday, May 1st.
SURF is a signature event that celebrates the scholarly achievements of students who have engaged in high-impact learning experiences, including research, creative projects, internships, and global engagement.


Spring Symposium Events

Event Overview

The Spring Symposium includes the following events:

Note: Regular classes are canceled on the day of the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum.


Premier Speakers and Concurrent Sessions

Deadline for Nominations: April 10th

  • VWU faculty is kindly requested to nominate outstanding students to serve as Premier Speakers by using this link.
    Should circumstances permit, we may add an additional Premier Speakers Session.

  • To propose a concurrent session for the day of the symposium, please complete this form by April 10th.


Academic Fair Poster Session

If you have a student planning to present during the Academic Fair Poster Session, please ensure that their information is added to this spreadsheet.

Poster Submission Requirements

  • Submission Deadline for Poster Design Files: April 27th (to ensure adequate time for printing)
  • Poster Size: 24" × 36"
  • Accepted File Formats: .PDF or .PPT

If you would like a template, please contact me at jrudel@vwu.edu.
I am also available for a poster design workshop if you would like me to meet with your students.

Submission Instructions

  • Poster designs must now be uploaded directly to this Google Drive folder
  • Email submissions are no longer accepted
  • Supervising faculty members are responsible for uploading .pdf or .ppt files

Event Participation

SURF is a celebration of excellence in academics. We seek to inspire all students to attend these sessions. The accomplishments of exemplary students serve as a powerful reminder of attainable possibilities, particularly for those in the earlier stages of their academic careers.