By Jocelyn Newman
jfnewman@uga.edu
In order to provide a more fulfilling learning experience for UGA students, the Honors Program
offers undergraduates the opportunity to share their research projects. The university’s Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities is sponsoring the second annual CURO Symposium Feb. 26–28, during which students will present their research work.
Participation is open to students in all colleges and departments and is not limited to Honors students. Students participating in CURO have the opportunity to work on independent research projects under the guidance of senior faculty. Research allows students to engage in topics that reach beyond the scope of traditional coursework.
“There are an awful lot of good things happening at UGA related to undergraduate research,” says Pam Kleiber, assistant director of the Honors Program. “The symposium is a way of coming together to celebrate it. It shows that you can get a quality education at a large institution.”
This year’s symposium, which will be held at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, will coincide with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation visit, giving the students a greater audience for their work.
“Undergraduates and graduates have been doing research under the supervision of faculty forever—as far back as people can remember,” says Kleiber. “But the undergraduates haven’t received much formal recognition for their work.”
The symposium provides that recognition and may play an important role in helping participants choose a future career or graduate school. The symposium is dedicated this year to Karen Holbrook, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, in recognition of her support for undergraduate research.
Thomas G. Dyer, vice president for instruction and author of In Pursuit of Hidden History: Secret Yankees in Confederate Atlanta, will deliver the keynote address at 4 p.m. Feb. 26 in Masters Hall of the Georgia Center. During the award ceremony at the close of the symposium, the Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award will be presented to Marcus Fechheimer, a professor from the cellular biology department. The award, established by the Office of the Provost, will allow him to work more intensively with undergraduates. The Excellence in Mentoring Program Award will be presented to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory.
Kleiber is pleased at this year’s increased involvement in the symposium by members of the School of Music and the department of dance. Presentations in the arts allows for something “in addition to humanities and the sciences,” she says.
Among the projects showcased this year will be an Irish dance performed by Pamela Johnson from the dance and anthropology departments. “Body Image: When Thin Is In, What Gets Left Out?” will be presented by Ashley Sanders of the speech communication department. Tina Rakkhit, from the drama department, will perform a contemporary Indian dance. Other departments will be represented in the symposium, including biology, chemistry, psychology, management, criminal justice, history, economics and English.
The symposium is open to the public. “Everyone is welcome,” Kleiber says. “The symposium is scheduled so all students can attend the sessions.” |
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