Celebrating 30 Years of Innovation and Scholarship at Petersheim Academic Exposition

Now in its 30th year, the 2026 Petersheim Academic Exposition, "Share, Honor, Unite," will take place from Monday, April 20, through Saturday, April 25, 2026.
This annual celebration honors the intersection of scholastic achievement, creative innovation and transformative engagement. Driven by Seton Hall’s mission, the Petersheim Academic Exposition unites a diverse community — including undergraduate and graduate students, alumni and faculty — in vibrant collaboration across a variety of academic disciplines.

The Opening Ceremony will take place from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, April 20 in Bethany Hall (Rooms A, B and C), and will be livestreamed.

The Closing Ceremony of Celebration will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Friday, April 24, in the McNulty Hall Amphitheater, featuring a keynote speech by Reverend Joseph R. Laracy, S.T.D.

A Week of Celebration
“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Petersheim Academic Expo, we recognize how it has evolved into a vibrant celebration of our community’s shared commitment to research-based teaching and curriculum innovation — a vision first articulated more than two decades ago, at a time when its full significance had yet to be widely embraced. Today, that vision has truly come of age,” said Distinguished University Research Professor Sulie Lin Chang, Ph.D., director of the Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology and co-chair of the exposition’s planning committee.

“The Expo reflects Seton Hall’s enduring dedication to research excellence and mentorship, providing a distinctive forum where scholars from all disciplines connect, showcase their achievements and engage in meaningful dialogue," Chang said. "These interdisciplinary conversations have fostered collaborations that have laid the foundation for the establishment and growth of diverse academic initiatives across the University.”

Throughout the week, University community members will present their work in research symposia, poster sessions, presentations, panel discussions, theatrical performances, art exhibits, debates, concerts and more. This year’s exhibition will be held in a hybrid format, featuring events both in person and virtually. The schedule and event locations can be found on the Petersheim Academic Exposition website, and will continue to be updated.

All students, faculty and staff are invited to propose undergraduate and graduate student presentations for the exposition; students must have a faculty sponsor. Abstract submissions are currently open and being accepted through Friday, March 13.

Beyond student presentations, Seton Hall faculty and community members are also encouraged to host an event at the exposition. If you are interested in hosting, please submit event details through the Petersheim event form.

Celebrating the Legacy of Matthew Petersheim
For the last three decades, the Petersheim Academic Exposition has served as a living tribute to its founder, Matthew Petersheim, Ph.D. An associate professor of chemistry who passed away in 1998 after a battle with cancer, Petersheim envisioned a forum that celebrates the academic achievements and scholarly spirit of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and other community members at the University. Chang reflected, “While he was ill and asked whether we should skip a year, Dr. Petersheim firmly reminded us, 'The exposition must continue!’ Those words have stayed with me ever since.  Indeed, we did not stop and continued even during the pandemic years (2021-2022). I personally witnessed his unwavering dedication and steadfast leadership. Petersheim’s commitment to advancing the mission of the exposition never faltered, even in the face of serious health challenges.”

"For 30 years, we have gathered to carry forward Dr. Petersheim’s vision with a powerful gathering of great minds, celebrating a diverse community of excellence. The Expo is a chance to see how our students translate classroom learning into professional practice, all while honoring our shared commitment to servant leadership and inspiring great minds to greater purpose," said Professor Jose L. Lopez, Ph.D., Department of Physics; director of the Office of Grants and Research Services, and Petersheim co-chair.

A Valuable Opportunity for Great Minds
Participating in the Petersheim Academic Exposition is a transformative opportunity for students to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world. By showcasing their work at the exposition, students not only celebrate their academic achievements but also gain vital experience in communicating complex ideas — a valuable skill for all disciplines, regardless of their future career path. The academic environment provides a unique look into the world of scholarly presentations, allowing participants to learn from the research of their peers while simultaneously building a standout résumé.

Beyond professional development, the Exposition embodies the university’s mission of citizenship and community; it fosters the integral social and spiritual growth necessary for a holistic education. Furthermore, participating students are also automatically considered for a Student Travel Award, which offers an opportunity to elevate their research beyond the Exposition and provides financial support to present research at regional, national or international conferences.

For more information, visit the Petersheim Academic Exposition website.

Categories: Education, Research