Please Join Us

For The

Annual Conference of the

Upper Midwest Honors Council

April 2-4, 2009

Southwest Minnesota State University

Marshall, Minnesota

Location:  Southwest Minnesota State University is honored to host the 2009 conference of the UMHC.  SMSU is located in Marshall, MN, in the southwest corner of the state.  Marshall is approximately 90 miles northeast of Sioux Falls, SD and 150 miles west of Minneapolis, MN.

Theme--"Boundaries":  We would like to play off of the successful conference theme last year of "Bridges" by focusing our attention on the myriad of ways we use boundaries and the issues that surround this use.  While bridges connect, boundaries tend to separate.  Papers and presentations could focus on subjects as diverse as conceptual boundaries (separating this from that, culture from nature, etc.), personal boundaries (self from others), group boundaries (friends from foe, us from them), political boundaries (one state or nation from another), ideological boundaries (liberal from conservative), religious boundaries (Christianity from Islam), disciplinary boundaries (science from humanities), and a host of other possibilities.

Facilities:  Most events will take place in the first-class facilities provided by the new Student/Conference Center complex (opened April, 2006), and the recently completed Regional Events Center (opened September, 2008).  Special attention is being paid to making it easy to move from one concurrent session to another.

Special Activities:  We are currently planning a range of activities for students and faculty to take advantage of, including: an opening reception at the campus art gallery; special shows in our planetarium; dramatic productions in our small, experimental Black Box Theater; Exhibition cooking by our Culinology students on molecular gastronomy; Rolle Bolle lessons and competition; and possible tours of the extensive R&D facilities at Schwan's Food Company and the nearby Pipestone National Monument.  Check this website for further updates on the program.

Registration Dates and Fees: 
Registrations posted by February 28th:
Students - $55.00
Faculty and Staff - $65.00

Registrations posted after February 28th:
Students - $65.00
Faculty and Staff - $75.00

Presentation Submission:  The conference planing committee invites submissions of proposals for papers, panel discussions, posters or other presentations.  While proposals directly pertaining to the conference theme are strongly encouraged, proposals on any topic will be considered.  Please submit proposal on the submission form from the menu on the right side of the webpage.  Submissions must be postmarked by February 28th.  Early submissions would be greatly appreciated.  Papers and individual presentations should be limited to 20 minutes time (approximately 10 pages), panels and group presentations should be limited to 40 minutes.  To request longer blocks of time please contact Maggie Larsen at the e-mail listed below.

Lodging: Blocks of room have been reserved for the conference at a number of local hotels.  See the lodging link for prices and contact information.  Room blocks are reserved until March 2nd, so make your reservations by then.

Further information will be forthcoming.  Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Steve Kramer or Maggie Larsen, SMSU Honors Program at the following email: Steve.Kramer@smsu.edu or Maggie.Larsen@smsu.edu