MCC Scholar Day to Feature Innovative Student Projects, Presentations, Works

April 16, 2026

Waco, Texas—McLennan Community College (MCC) will host its Spring Scholar Day from 9-11 a.m. Friday, April 24, in the Learning Technology Center (LTC), celebrating the academic excellence and creativity of its students.a student displaying his project at scholar day

The event will highlight the accomplishments of over 250 students through 170 undergraduate research presentations, including wall posters, table displays, oral presentations, and Rube Goldberg Machines.

“Scholar Day highlights the kind of hands-on learning that can truly change a student’s path,” said Dr. Elaine Fagner, Professor of Geology. “I’ve seen a student go from doubting her abilities to earning a prestigious NASA fellowship and now pursuing a Ph.D.—proof that undergraduate research experiences like those showcased at this event can open incredible doors.”

This semester, MCC will introduce a new virtual component, expanding opportunities for online students to participate. Students may submit recorded presentations or take part in a live webinar format. The virtual session will feature 36 students, and the recorded presentations will be available on YouTube. Access to the live webinar will be shared with attendees.

Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend and engage directly with presenters, gaining insight into the diverse academic work being produced across MCC’s programs. Scholar Day offers a unique opportunity to explore student research and hear firsthand about the ideas and experiences shaping their educational journeys.

MCC hosts Scholar Day each fall and spring semester to recognize and celebrate student achievement.

“Scholar Day is exciting because we get to showcase what we have learned and how we are progressing, and it allows all of us to look at different aspects of the degrees we have going on,” said nursing student Samantha Rickard. “We also get to see some things outside of our degrees that we may not have seen before.”

The event will take place in the Learning Technology Center, located on MCC’s campus in Waco. Oral presentations will be held in rooms LTC 217 and LTC 318. For directions and a campus map, visit www.mclennan.edu/campus. Click here to watch a video from last year's event.