Graduate Student Appreciation Week - We Appreciate You!
March 22 - 28, 2026
In 1993, the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students 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 Louisiana at Lafayette. All graduate students, faculty, and staff are invited to join us for this year's events.
Competitions
Most Loved Grad Program
The 2026 Most Loved Grad Program Competition will go live on Valentine’s Day. Share what you love about your grad program and earn points toward our Most Loved Grad Program contest. You can upload a photo, put it in words, or both. The program with the most points will be awarded with a catered lunch for the faculty, staff, and students!
Participate by posting on social media using #ULGradLove2026 and tagging @UL Lafayette Graduate, or by submitting your entry through our online form here: https://forms.office.com/r/ab1afRUQ0Z
Selected entries may be featured on the Graduate School’s social media—so spread the love!
Graduate Student Research and Creative Works Showcase
Deadline to Enter: Tuesday, March 17
The annual Graduate Student Research and Creative Works Showcase celebrates the contributions of graduate students to the UL Lafayette scholarly community by providing opportunities to showcase their work. The competition now includes three options: poster, paper, and video. Each student may pick only one option, and all entries are due by Tuesday, March 17 at 11:59 PM.
- Poster Option – The poster option will be judged in-person and will offer cash prizes for first, second, and third place winners in multiple categories.
- Paper Option – The paper option will be judged asynchronously and will offer cash prizes for first, second, and third place winners in multiple categories.
- Video Option – The video option will be judged asynchronously and will offer cash prizes for first, second, and third place in a single, collective category.
Those interested in participating should review our Showcase Guidelines before submitting the 2026 Graduate Student Research and Creative Works Showcase entry form. (Showcase guidelines and entry form to be released Wednesday, February 25.) All awards will be announced at the Louisiana Impact Research Summit on Friday, March 27.
#ULGradLife Photo Competition
Deadline to Enter: Friday, March 20
This year, we’re bringing back the #ULGradLife Photo Competition! Open to all enrolled graduate students, this competition challenges you to capture the essence of grad student life at UL Lafayette in one photo. All submissions should be uploaded through our official #ULGradLife Photo Competition form by Friday, March 20 at 11:59 PM. One lucky first-place winner will earn a prize of $100, to be announced at the Louisiana Impact Research Summit on Friday, March 27, at the conclusion of Graduate Student Appreciation Week.
GSO Scavenger Hunt
All GSAW week long! Solve clues, find destinations, and submit photos to claim chances to win the Graduate Student Organization Scavenger Hunt big prize! Keep an eye out on GSO Social for more info about the scavenger hunt. We can’t wait to see what GSO has planned!
Schedule of Events
Monday, March 23
Wake Up & Write
Start Graduate Student Appreciation Week off on Monday morning with explosive productivity at the Alumni Center boardroom for Wake Up & Write from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. We provide donuts, coffee, quiet space, and free parking. You bring your focus and determination to move forward on your writing projects.
Monday, March 23
GSAW Keynote Address, Doctoral Candidacy and Honor Recognition
Our speaker will inspire us at 6 pm with the GSAW Keynote Address and doctoral students who have advanced to candidacy since April 2025 will be recognized along with their graduate faculty committee chairs. Doctoral candidates, make sure to RSVP for you and your chair in advance. This year we are thrilled to also recognize our graduate honor students. Live streaming will be available for family and friends who want to attend virtually.
Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25
Grad School Demystified: Making Graduate School a Reality
Thinking about grad school but unsure if it’s the right fit—or how to afford it? This Grad Student Appreciation Week session is designed for undergraduate students exploring their next steps. A panel of current grad students and faculty will break down the benefits of a graduate degree, share personal experiences, and highlight financial and academic resources that make grad school accessible to all. Learn about funding, flexible pathways, and support systems to help you take the next step with confidence.
Tuesday, March 24
Bayou Bash
More info coming soon!
Wednesday, March 25
Donut Day
Thank our grad students and those who support them while having a sweet treat. Donuts are a gift from SGA and they’re being delivered to departments by GSO.
Wednesday, March 25
Money Matters Lunch and Learn: Investing for Your Future
This workshop in our Money Matters series focuses on the fun stuff: how financial investing fits in with your plans as a graduate student. Dr. Brian Bolton will guide you through setting up a free Roth IRA and share strategies to maximize its long-term benefits. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. and the discussion begins at noon in FG Mouton Room 207. Registration required.
This event is a partnership between the Graduate School and Brian Bolton, Professor of Finance and the Dwight W. Andrus, Jr./BORSF Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Finance.
Wednesday, March 25 & Thursday, March 26
Research and Creative Works Showcase
First, second, and third place will receive cash prizes in each category of this competition, which now includes poster, paper, and video options. View the Research Showcase guidelines here. This is a great opportunity to share your work with the larger University community and be recognized for its excellence.
Thursday, March 26
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 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Friday, March 27
Louisiana Impact Research Summit & GSAW Closing
Join us from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Moody Room 103 as graduate students and faculty deliver brief, impactful pitches about sustainability-related research. Research showcase awards, the photo competition winners, and the Most Loved Grad Program will be announced at the conclusion of the Summit.
This event is a partnership between the Graduate School, Brian Bolton, Professor of Finance and the Dwight W. Andrus, Jr./BORSF Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Finance, the Office of Sustainability, and the Division of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development.
Saturday, March 28
The Big Event with GSO
Graduate Students join 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.
Many thanks to our sponsors, hosts, and collaborators! GSAW would not be possible without you!
The Office of the Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development
University faculty and staff who volunteer to facilitate a workshop or serve as a judge for the research showcase