SCARF Returns to Lyon for 2026

Annually, Mortar Board puts together SCARF, Lyon’s Student Creative Arts and Research Forum. SCARF is an event that allows students who have worked hard on their respective efforts in research and arts to showcase their scholarly works. No matter the subject, there’s an opportunity with SCARF.

There are five categories that students can enter into: Artistic/Performance, Social Research, STEM, Business, and Humanities. These categories can be presented orally or on a poster. Both formats have different criteria, so make sure to look over the correct rubric while preparing if you are interested! You can present alone, or with other students. If you’ve done multiple projects since Summer 2025 that are being presented, you will choose one that you want to present. On the other hand, if you are in a project and don’t want to present, the other student collaborators can. Not all students that did the research need to be present for SCARF.

Winners and runner-ups will get cash prizes. Last year, students who presented - whether they won or only participated - were awarded scarves (pictured). Even if you don’t win, SCARF is a great opportunity to practice presentation skills and to showcase what you’ve completed to fellow students and faculty.

If you are considering presenting at SCARF during your time at Lyon, there are plenty of helpful resources including your faculty mentor! Each year, there is a SCARF committee. Each category has one to three faculty members that are selected for questions, concerns, and anything else you may need. Do not hesitate to reach out to your advisors!

SCARF is a special event even if you are not participating, so make sure to check out all of the posters and oral presentations that you can to gain a feel for the kind of research and creative arts that are done here at Lyon! Invite your family and friends as well. SCARF is a very memorable experience!

*Featured photo from Lyon College Marketing, SCARF 2025