The annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition can be held 6 p.m. Thursday, February 26, at the Normal Theater in Uptown Normal.

3MT is an instructional competition that challenges Illinois State University graduate college students to explain their analysis inside three minutes to a normal viewers. The occasion is free and all members of the group are welcome to attend.

This yr, 10 contestants will take part in the finals:

  • Debajjyoti Basu—School of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Laura Botros—Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Alex Cox—Wonsook Kim School of Art, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
  • Evangeline Cruz—School of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Emily Grimany—School of Theatre, Dance, and Film; Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
  • Marco Krcatovich II—Department of Educational Administration and Foundations, College of Education
  • Keion Mackey—Department of Agriculture, College of Applied Science and Technology
  • Kathryn Stahl—Department of Agriculture, College of Applied Science and Technology
  • Sarah Stevens—Department of Agriculture, College of Applied Science and Technology
  • Viraj V. Patel—School of Teaching and Learning, College of Education

Winners of the competition will obtain financial rewards, together with first place and People’s Choice receiving $750 every and second place receiving $500. The first-place winner may even transfer on to compete at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools contest.

The contest can be judged by Vivian Kong, serial entrepreneur, creator, and public speaker; Justin McMenamy, podcast host of Grody & UnPrOfEsSiOnAL; John C. Hesse, MHA, vp of enterprise improvement at Carle Health; and Dr. Robert Navarro, member of the Illinois State University Board of Trustees.



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