Graduate Student Appreciation Week - We Appreciate You!
April 6-11, 2025
In 1993, the established Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week (GPSAW) as a mechanism to support and appreciate graduate and professional students, emphasizing the contributions, impact and value of graduate and professional students on campuses throughout the United States.
The Graduate School joins universities around the nation in this celebration by hosting the Graduate Student Appreciation Week (GSAW) at the University of èßäÉçÇø¹ÙÍø at Lafayette. All graduate students, faculty, and staff are invited to join us for this year's events.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, March 29th
The Big Event with GSO
Graduate Students have joined the Big Event to do their part for UL Lafayette’s largest day of service! We’ll be teaming up with the Graduate Student Organization to lead an on-campus beautification project with Parish Proud.
Sunday, April 6th
Grad Etiquette Dinner
In partnership with the Office of Career Services, the Grad School is offering a great professional development opportunity for grad students. Engage with faculty and industry professionals and brush up on your conference etiquette. Activities (including dinner) will begin at 5 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. Registration coming soon.
Monday, April 7th
Grad Games & Good Vibes
Join the Graduate School staff at the Alumni Center for an afternoon of good food and yard games following our weekly Wake Up & Write. Come and go as you please between 11 am and 1 pm.
Monday, April 7th
GSAW Keynote Address, Professional Head Shots, and Doctoral Candidacy Recognition Ceremony
Join us at the LITE Center for a professional headshot (4:30 - 6:30 p.m.) and some inspiration! Our speaker will inspire us at 6 pm with the GSAW Keynote Address and doctoral students who have advanced to candidacy since April 2023 will be recognized along with their graduate faculty committee chairs. Doctoral candidates, make sure to RSVP for you and your chair in advance. Live streaming will be available for family and friends who want to attend virtually. Please RSVP.
Tuesday, April 8th
Money Matters Lunch and Learn: Career Planning
You are in grad school to leave - to move on to a fulfilling and exciting career. The transition from grad student to full-time professional has significant financial implications - including deciding which job offer to accept, negotiating your salary and choosing a retirement plan. This should be the most exciting transition of your academic life - and we'll help you get comfortable with the financial issues, so you are in control of your financial and professional futures. Registration coming soon.
Wednesday & Thursday, April 9th - 10th
Research Showcase
The first-place prize is $500, and first, second, and third prizes will be awarded in two categories and in two formats (posters and papers). This is a great opportunity to share your work with the larger University community and be recognized for its excellence. Registration coming soon.
Wednesday, April 9th
A2i Meeting - Job Search Strategies
Join us Downtown, Lafayette at the Opportunity Machine for hors d'oeuvres and a lively discussion with industry professionals. The focus will be selling yourself and knowing your value in the Lafayette entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
GSAW Awards
Details coming soon.
Competitions
Graduate Student Research Showcase: Paper & Poster
Category 1: Foundational, Theoretical, and Humanistic Research
This category includes research that advances fundamental knowledge, develops new theories, or explores humanistic, social, or cultural perspectives. It also encompasses creative works in the arts, design, and literature, where originality, interpretation, or artistic expression is central to scholarly contribution.
Category 2: Applied and Translational Research
This category includes research that applies existing knowledge to solve specific problems, develop new technologies, inform policy and practice, or improve professional or industry processes. Projects in this category emphasize real-world impact, innovation, and the translation of research into applied solutions in fields such as engineering, healthcare, business, and public policy.
*Select the category that best fits your research paper or poster presentation entry:
Most Loved Grad Program
The 2025 Most Loved Grad Program Competition is up and running! about your grad program and earn points towards our most-loved grad program contest. You can upload a photo, put it in words, or both. Your entry may also be featured on the Graduate School's social media - follow along with #ULGradLove2025.
Many thanks to our sponsors, hosts, and collaborators! GSAW would not be possible without you!
University faculty and staff who volunteer to facilitate a workshop or serve as a judge for the research showcase