FARMINGTON – Spring on the University of Maine at Farmington campus celebrates the Michael D. Wilson Symposium, a two-day, university-wide event dedicated to undergraduate research and creative achievements.

It provides an opportunity for students of all ages and disciplines to join to showcase their original and independent research and scholarly works and to share them with the campus and local community.

Supported by a gift by Michael and Susan Angelides, in honor of their friend Michael D. Wilson, UMF class of 1976, this year’s symposium has been enhanced to include Arts Night, a gathering of visual and performing arts, from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, and symposium day scholarly presentations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 16. All events will be held on the UMF campus and are free and open to the public.

This year’s artistic and academic exhibition brings together more than 400 students working in collaboration with faculty mentors to display their work through papers, oral and poster presentations, readings, art gallery exhibits and performances.

Featured among Wednesday’s exhibits will be presentations by the 2007-08 Michael D. Wilson Scholars and Fellows, who were recognized this academic year as some of UMF’s best students across all disciplines by the University’s Undergraduate Research Council. The results of the scholars’ undergraduate research projects, also funded by the Angelides, will appear in Thomas Auditorium in UMF Preble Hall and throughout campus.

As a prelude to the symposium, Arts Night will present a gala of visual and performing arts Tuesday. Organized by the UMF Ministry of Experimental Arts, a group of arts-minded students, faculty and staff, the presentations will take place at various sites on campus, including UMF’s Nordica Auditorium, Art Gallery and Alumni Theater.

The symposium is organized by the UMF Culture Committee. For a complete schedule of events, visit http://symposium.umf.maine.edu.