Elkin R. Isaac Student Research Symposium

The purpose of the Elkin Isaac Research Symposium is to honor excellent student research, scholarship, and creative activity. The participants are nominated by their faculty sponsors after having participated in independent research that results in the significant synthesis of new knowledge. The research must have been performed under the direct supervision of an Albion College faculty member, or in a College-approved off-campus program.

Dr. Charlie Jacobs from the Biology Department planned and organized the first Albion College Student Research Symposium, which was held on April 20, 1990, and involved seven students making presentations describing their research projects. In 1993, a poster session was added, and by 1995, the number of student presenters had risen to 16. In 1997, the Isaac Endowed Lectureship became associated with the Albion College Student Research Symposium, and the Symposium name was changed to the Elkin Isaac Research Symposium. By 1999, the Symposium had grown to the point that concurrent sessions were required for 62 platform and poster presentations. 1999 also saw the addition of the Symposium keynote address, which has featured Wade Davis, Stephen Jay Gould, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Kurt Vonnegut, Salman Rushdie, and Gloria Steinem.  In 2000, the Research Symposium was first held on the same day as the College’s Honors Convocation.

The Elkin R. Isaac Endowed Lectureship was created in 1991 by Albion College alumni in honor of their former teacher, coach and mentor, Elkin R. "Ike" Isaac, 48. Isaac taught at Albion from 1952 to 1975 and coached basketball, track and cross country. He led his teams to one Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball title, six consecutive league championships in track, and three cross country championships. He also served as the College's athletic director and created Albion's "Earn, Learn and Play" program and the "Albion Adventure Program." In 1975, Isaac became athletic director at University of the Pacific and retired there in 1984. He now lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with his wife Edith.

Reflecting Elkin Isaac's lifelong interests in higher education and research, proceeds from the endowment are used to bring a noted scholar to campus each year to offer the Isaac Lecture and to visit with classes. In 1997, the Isaac Lectureship was expanded and is now associated with Albion College's annual Student Research Symposium, featuring presentations by students recommended by their faculty sponsors for outstanding independent study and research. The symposium now bears Isaac's name.

The Isaac Endowment Committee:

• Cedric W. Dempsey, ´54
• Ben E. Hancock, Jr.
• T. John Leppi, ´59
• Thomas G. Schwaderer, ´56
• Leonard F. "Fritz" Shurmur, ´54 (deceased)
• John R. Taylor, ´55

The 2007 Isaac Student Research Symposium Committee:

• Morris Arvoy (Communications Office)
• Craig Bieler (Chemistry)
• Sarah Briggs (Communications Office)
• Jeffrey Carrier (Biology)
• Gene Cline (Philosophy/Honors Institute)
• Lauren Karcz, '08
• Lisa Lewis (Academic Affairs/Chemistry)
• Anne McCauley (Art and Art History)
• Dean McCurdy (Biology/Honors Institute)
• Rachel Ransom, '08
• Ruthie Spalding, '09
• Michael Van Houten (Library), Chair
• Royal Ward (Academic Affairs)