April 18, 2008
For Immediate Release
For an Interview:
Loretta Palmer
(801) 863-8361
A group of 65 UVSC students visited Salisbury, Md. earlier this month, along with 2,400 other student scholars from 400 institutions from across the United States. The UVSC students, who were accompanied by 10 faculty members, traveled to Salisbury University to participate at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), where they presented research on topics ranging from dance to automotive technology.
The 65 students represented the second-largest group from a single institution, next to Salisbury University itself. A total of 78 UVSC students were accepted to present at the conference.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to present their scholarly research at a national level,” said Marcy Glassford, program director in the student success department at UVSC. “Students who present at this national conference realize they are capable of accomplishing so much more beyond the undergraduate level.” In fact, a student who attended the conference in 2007 credits the experience with helping him decide to attend graduate school.
The research that students presented was as varied as the UVSC students themselves. Topics included the use of dance as a tool of politics, presented by Meredith Ashton from Provo, Utah, who worked with Assistant Professor in UVSC’s Department of Dance Angela Banchero-Kelleher. Nikolas Damron from Riverton, Utah, who worked with Todd Lowe, associate professor in UVSC’s automotive department, presented research on an efficient oiling system for automobiles, which contributed to setting a new land speed record of 188 mph. Mindy Harward from Nephi, Utah, whose faculty mentor was Doug Downs, assistant professor of English and literature, presented on the female characters in the popular Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.
“We have a strong undergraduate research program at UVSC, and our students are well-mentored,” said Loretta Palmer, UVSC’s associate vice president for undergraduate research. “Research isn’t completed until the results are shared. That’s why these students are attending NCUR, to finish their research by presenting their findings.”
The trip to NCUR was funded by UVSC’s Office of Undergraduate Research, academic schools and departments, and the Center for Engaged Learning.
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College Marketing Contact:
Kim Chapman
(801) 863-6807
Written by:
Brenda Johnson
(801) 863-7011