Kansas State University

McNair scholars present summer research

Submitted by Adrianna Gordey

On Wednesday, July 27, the McNair Scholars Program at K-State will conclude its summer research internship presentations by 12 scholars. The event will be from 12:30-5 p.m. in 204 and 205 Morris Family Multicultural Student Center. Community members and K-State faculty, staff, students and alumni are encouraged and invited to attend.

Scholars started planning their projects this past spring under the guidance of faculty mentors they selected through an interview process. The summer research internship began on June 6 and involved intensive work with mentors and weekly meetings with McNair staff to monitor their progress. The scholars also spent five hours a week in a seminar preparing them for graduate-level writing and taking the Graduate Records Examination, a standardized test required for admittance to most graduate programs. Scholars receive stipends to support their participation in the summer internship.

The presentation schedule is as follows:

• 12:45 p.m. — Bailey Britton, English and mass communication-journalism, co-mentored by Abby Knoblauch, Ph.D., English and Lisa Tatonetti, Ph.D., English.
• 1 p.m. — Katie Rodriguez, biology and psychology, mentored by Michi Tobler, Ph.D., biology. 
• 1:15 p.m. — Hieu Nguyen, biology-human health, mentored by Kathrin Schrick, Ph.D., biology.
• 1:30 p.m. — Julia Salinas, animal sciences and industry, mentored by William Whitehouse, D.V.M., DACVIM- SAIM, clinical sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine.
• 1:45 p.m. — Lexe West, psychology, mentored by Kimberly Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., psychology. 
• 2 p.m. — Bailey Roberts, animal sciences and industry, mentored by Roman Pogranichniy, Ph.D., diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine. 
• 2:15 p.m. — Agel Yor, apparel and textiles, mentored by Kim Hiller Connell, Ph.D., interior design and fashion studies.
• 3 p.m. — Estefani Fernández-Patlán, psychology, mentored by Amber Vennum, Ph.D., applied human sciences.
• 3:15 p.m. — Julia Rivera, feed science and management, mentored by Eva Horne, Ph.D., biology.
• 3:30 p.m. — Brandon Green, animal sciences and industry, mentored by Erika Geisbrecht, Ph.D., biology.
• 3:45 p.m. — William Crankshaw, social work and French, mentored by Lavinia Horner, Ph.D., modern languages.
• 4 p.m. — Jaime Knight, agronomy, mentored by Harold Trick, Ph.D., plant pathology.

The McNair staff also recognizes the contributions of the following K-State librarians who assisted the scholars:

• Angie Brunk, M.L.S. and M.A., assistant professor.
• Sara K. Kearns, Ph.D. and M.L.S., professor.
• Cindy Logan, M.S. and M.L.S., associate professor.
• Livia Olsen, M.S., associate professor.
• Carol Sevin, M.L.I.S., assistant professor.
• Kendra Spahr, M.L.I.S., assistant professor.
• Ellen Urton, M.S., associate professor.

Special thanks to librarian Dan Ireton, M.L.S. for coordinating the partnership.

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a TRIO program administrated by the Federal Department of Education and authorized by Congress to prepare academically talented undergraduates for success in graduate studies. To be eligible, students must be income-limited and in the first generation to complete a bachelor's degree, and/or from a group underrepresented in graduate study. The program's goal is to increase the diversity of those holding graduate degrees and serving in the ranks of faculty and researchers.

The McNair Scholars Program is currently recruiting new participants and will continue to do so until all available openings are filled. Priority applications are due Sept. 22. Students with interest in graduate study are encouraged to apply. Faculty and staff who know of potential candidates should contact mcnair@k-state.edu. For more information, see the program website at k-state.edu/mcnair.