On May 3, 2024, the BilDS program joyfully marked the conclusion of another successful semester with a charming picnic at Oakledge Park. Under the pleasant spring sun, trainees and faculty gathered for an afternoon of celebration and community building.
The event commenced with heartfelt readings of "high-fives" dedicated to the incoming cohort, a submitted grant, presenting at a conference, a BilDS trainnee winning the 3-minute thesis competition, appreciation of the BilDS Research Discussion seminar series, spotlighting the collective achievements of our BilDS community. Melissa, a member of the BilDS Leadership team, excitedly announced the addition of ten new students to the program this fall, promising fresh energy and perspectives.
A game of “Two Truths and a Lie” sparked lively exchanges over recent academic successes and challenges. Laughter, applause, and shared stories underscored the supportive environment that BilDS fosters.
There was an option for an innovative BilDS Bingo Game with a twist - navigate the park's features to find evidence of wildlife and engage with peers (E.g. Find someone who posts to GitHub weekly, who volunteered in an education activity in the last 3 months, who grew up outside of the US, Find someone who applied for a grant in the last 6 months, etc) to win small prizes. The game entertained and encouraged meaningful interactions, deepening understanding of each other's academic experiences.
The presence of three dogs added a playful dimension to the picnic, helping to strengthen bonds among attendees—both human and canine.
This spring celebration underscored the BilDS program's commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant academic community. We look forward to continuing these traditions and supporting each other in our scholarly pursuits.
BilDS (formerly QuEST) trainees: Dan Munteanu, Csenge Petak, Andrew McCracken, Reed Scott, Maura Muldoon, Emily Dombrowski, Nora Heaphy
BilDS (formerly QuEST) leadership Team: Melissa Pespeni, Lori Stevens, Joaquin Nunez, Lola Chen