The 17th annual Student Showcase at Colorado Mesa University brought together campus talent on May 1, when students presented a record-setting array of work. With 939 students exhibiting 421 projects, the event offered a broad view of learning that spans traditional classrooms, maker spaces and performance venues. Attendees from faculty, industry and the public witnessed everything from poster sessions and live performances to technical demonstrations, illustrating how experiential education and academic inquiry intersect at CMU and CMU Tech. The showcase provided a forum for both undergraduate and graduate students to present finished pieces, prototypes and ongoing research.
Scope and disciplines represented
The projects reflected a wide disciplinary sweep: visual and performing arts, natural sciences, health care, education, business, social sciences, environmental studies and various technical trades. Presentations took many forms, including oral talks, posters, hands-on exhibits and live demonstrations, which emphasized the university’s commitment to applied learning. Many presentations were submitted as capstone projects that synthesize coursework and practical experience; others reflected ongoing faculty-mentored research. The variety underscored how interdisciplinary learning functions across CMU, and highlighted collaborations between departments and with community partners who attended the event to evaluate and support student work.
Science and sustainability highlights
Several exhibits addressed regional environmental concerns and campus-focused science. One notable project, titled Light Pollution at CMU, used a Sky Quality Meter to measure and map artificial sky brightness on campus and across the Grand Valley. The student lead, Ethan Otto, collected quantitative readings to illustrate spatial patterns of night-sky degradation. Faculty guidance from Catherine Whiting, PhD, helped place the measurements in context, connecting the data to broader conversations about ecosystem impacts, public health, and local economic initiatives such as dark sky tourism. This scientific work produced baseline information that can guide facility decisions and future research on light-management strategies.
Local implications and future research
Data from the Sky Quality Meter provide actionable insights that extend beyond academic interest. Mapping light levels enables campus planners to consider targeted changes—such as shielded fixtures or timing controls—to reduce glare and protect nocturnal habitats. In addition to on-campus benefits, the measurements support regional dialogue about lighting policies that contribute to the designation of protected dark-sky areas. The project demonstrates how student-led empirical studies can inform both operational improvements and community-level conservation strategies, a core goal of CMU’s emphasis on public-facing research.
Interdisciplinary and applied learning in practice
Other projects illustrated creative pairings between disciplines. A collaborative presentation called “John Wayne Gacy: His Last Meal” combined culinary arts and criminal justice to examine the cultural and institutional meaning of the last meal tradition for incarcerated individuals. Culinary arts major Daira Gonzalez and criminal justice major Mia Felix Medina used food as a lens to explore historical precedents and societal reactions. Wayne Smith, an associate technical professor of culinary arts, noted that the project exemplified interdisciplinary learning by using culinary practice to shed light on criminological and ethical questions, demonstrating how sensory media can deepen understanding of complex social topics.
CMU Tech: hands-on manufacturing and technical skill
Students from CMU Tech showcased career-focused work that translated classroom skills into campus resources. In one applied project, Kadin Byus and Zae Kothe employed CNC mills to produce chef knife blades intended for Culinary Arts kits, linking manufacturing techniques to practical campus needs. The project highlighted how technical programs—ranging from welding and fabrication to design and applied research—prepare students for industry while also contributing tangible benefits to other departments. Exhibits demonstrated the cycle of design, prototyping and testing that defines modern technical education and reinforced the value of cross-program collaboration.
Skills, outcomes and community impact
By connecting technical competence with real-world applications, CMU Tech projects underscored workforce readiness as a central outcome of the showcase. Faculty mentors and industry attendees could assess both craftsmanship and process documentation, providing feedback that often leads to improved designs or industry internships. These practical projects, together with scholarly research and creative performances, made the day a comprehensive portrait of student achievement across the institution.
Celebrating student achievement and next steps
The record turnout at this year’s Student Showcase was celebrated across campus as evidence of student engagement and faculty mentorship. Chad Middleton, PhD, assistant vice president for faculty success, emphasized that the event offers a public stage for scholars and creators from both the main campus and CMU Tech to reveal the outcomes of their learning journeys. For people seeking more detail, a collection of project abstracts and additional information is available on the Student Showcase website, offering a searchable record of the research, creative work and technical demonstrations presented during the event.
