From studying links between neoliberal capitalism and democracy to the influence of blues legend Muddy Waters, 20 students are immersed in research projects through the McNair or Summer Scholars programs.
To help students avoid feeling like an isolated researcher, the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, which oversees the Summer Scholars program, and McNair Scholars program have created an undergraduate scholars community.
A summer of events kicked off May 19 with a dinner to honor scholars and their faculty mentors. Ed Baum, director of the Summer Scholars program, said students are also scheduled to tour the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon and Calvin College's Petra exhibition. In August, McNair scholars will present their research at a national conference. Summer Scholars are expected to make presentations at Student Scholarship Day.
Tony Travis, professor of history, is helping history major Jen Goven research the influence of Waters on other African-American musicians who migrated from the Mississippi Delta to Chicago in the 1940s and '50s.
"I had Jen for a number of classes. We clicked in my American urban history class where we studied the development of urban culture over time," Travis said.
Travis said they will submit Goven's work for publication or presentation at national conferences.
"The main object is for her to place the final research paper in her portfolio," he said. "Undergraduate research ability has been found to be an accurate indicator of ability to do graduate research."
Photo by Courtney Newbauer: Michael Wolfe, assistant professor of psychology, speaks during a dinner on May 19 to honor McNair and Summer scholars.
