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ULM College of Business and Social Sciences Symposium set for Oct. 27-30, with keynote address on Oct. 29

Published October 22, 2025

ULM College of Business and Social Sciences Symposium The Best Is On the Bayou

MONROE, La. – ³ÉÈ˶¶Òô will hold the annual premier lecture and seminar series, the College of Business and Social Sciences Symposium, from October 27-30, 2025. The theme for 2025 is “Superpowers: Discover Yours, Transform the World.â€� The event will feature keynote speaker Jim Davidson, an elevator pitch competition, a career fair, a cookout, the annual CBSS Brain Bowl, and many speaker sessions covering a wide range of topics.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

The Elevator Pitch Competition, held in conjunction with the Office of Career Development and the Career Ambassadors, will be held on Tuesday, October 28, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in The Hangar. Student competitors will have 90 seconds to pitch their vision for a shot at the top prize. Student attendees will also be entered to win a door prize. Ìý

The keynote by Jim Davidson, entitled “Everest Resilience: Overcoming Adversity and Reaching High Goals,â€� will be on Wednesday, October 29, at 11:00 a.m. at Bayou Pointe Event Center. Davidson is a resilience expert who has survived not just one epic mountain disaster, but two. From his real-world survival experiences, he distills hard-won lessons about forging the resilience to overcome change, challenge, and uncertainty.Ìý

From his 42 years of adventures, Davidson shares compelling stories and practical tips about how to persevere and endure uncertain times through resilience strategies and post-traumatic growth. Davidson provides motivating keynotes and interactive workshops on resilience, teamwork, leadership, and change management. His energizing messages have been shared in person and virtually with audiences in more than 35 countries.Ìý

“Jim Davidson’s journey reflects a resilience we believe will resonate with ULM students and the community,â€� said Cathi Hemed, Director of External Initiatives for the College of Business and Social Sciences. “Our symposium keynote is a time-honored tradition brought to the students by the college to enhance their learning outside of the classroom,â€� added Hemed. Ìý

The annual CBSS Brain Bowl also takes place on Wednesday, October 29, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in The Hangar. The Brain Bowl is a CBSS-wide trivia competition with teams representing each School within the College. Each team is made up of three students, one faculty member, and one professional. The competition is open to CBSS students. Students may contact their school director for more information.ÌýÌý

CBSS Symposium sessions are free and open to the public. The College of Business and Social Sciences invites anyone who is interested to attend. Click the schedule link below for times and details about each session.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

CBSS Symposium ScheduleÌýÌý

(selected events; full schedule linked below)Ìý

Monday, October 27Ìý

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Career Readiness Workshop – Strauss 148Ìý

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - CBSS Rush Hour Career Fair – Hemphill 1st FloorÌý

Tuesday, October 28Ìý

10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Changemaker Nonprofit Expo – The HangarÌý

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Career Elevator Pitch Competition – Hangar AÌý

Wednesday, October 29Ìý

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Jim Davidson, Keynote Speaker – Bayou PointeÌý

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - CBSS Brain Bowl Competition – The HangarÌý

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. - RMIN Alumni Panel: "How My Degree Became My Superpowerâ€� - Hangar AÌý

Thursday, October 30Ìý

9:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. - CBSS Symposium Speaker Sessions – The Hangar Ballrooms A, B, DÌý

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - CBSS Symposium Cookout – The Hangar South LawnÌý

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For a full list of events, click here.Ìý