WMU News

Students win $2,500 summer research grants

April 14, 2000

KALAMAZOO -- Ten students in the Lee Honors College at Western Michigan University have been awarded a $2,500 stipend to conduct research this summer.

The Dean's Summer Research Grants provide financial assistance to students who wish to begin research on their thesis, a requirement of the Lee Honor College program, between their junior and senior year. To be eligible, juniors in the honors program must have at least a 3.25 grade point average and must have completed all honors requirements through the junior level along with at least 85 hours of credit by the time of the proposed research. Some seniors are eligible to apply as well.

Each applicant submitted a two-page description of the proposed thesis project. Stipend awards for the projects were made on the basis of feasibility, the student's background knowledge and the recommendation of a faculty member.

Grant recipients, who work with a faculty member to complete the thesis project, are expected to devote 25 to 30 hours each week to their research.

"By the end of their undergraduate experience, students have a certain expertise in the knowledge base of others," says Joseph G. Reish, dean of the Lee Honors College. "The honors thesis is an opportunity for them to take that shared knowledge, explore it and make it their own -- to discover, invent and create. These grants are given to encourage students to get a jump start on their projects with an intensive two-month study phase during the summer."

The 10 students receiving research stipends are:

Lindsay Akers of Whittemore, Mich., a secondary math education major, has received a grant to study "Technology in the Middle School Classroom." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Christine A. Browning, associate professor of mathematics and statistics.

Brian Jacob Bierenga of Portage, Mich., a secondary math education major, has received a grant to study "Technology in the Middle School Mathetmatics Classroom." His faculty mentor is Dr. Christine A. Browning, associate professor of mathematics and statistics.

Stephanie Brentin of Midland, Mich., an interior design major, has received a grant to study "Cultural Differences Affecting Design and Business." Her faculty mentor is Patricia B. Viard, associate professor of family and consumer sciences.

Colin Jay Gould of Traverse City, Mich., a biomedical sciences major, has received a grant to study "Differential Effects of Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels on the Nutritional Quality and Toughness of C3 and C4 Grasses." His faculty mentor is Dr. David Karowe, associate professor of biological sciences.

Sheena A. Harris of Kalamazoo, an English major, has received a grant for a project titled "Workshop: Conflict Resolution, Problem Solving and Affect on Communication Skills in the Classroom." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Paul Yelsma, professor of communication.

Angela Lim of Canton, Mich., a biomedical sciences major, has received a grant to study "Expression of Glial Cell Line Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) with Endurance Training in Rats." Her faculty mentor is Dr. John Spitsbergen, assistant professor of biological sciences.

Kimberly M. Reynolds of Plymouth, Mich., an elementary education major, has received a grant for "An Evaluation of Techniques and Teaching Styles of Region One Charter Schools in Michigan." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Gunilla Holm, associate professor of educational studies.

Diane Rogers of Mattawan, Mich., a secondary math education major, has received a grant to study "Technology in the Middle School Mathematics Classroom." Her faculty mentor is Dr. Christine A. Browning, associate professor of mathematics and statistics.

Megan Rogers of Rochester Hills, Mich., a biomedical sciences major, has received a grant for a "Field Analysis of the Physical Ecological Parameters of Jenny Lake, Wyoming: A Case Study of Anthropogenic Effects on the Ecology of the Aquatic in Grand Teton National Park." Her faculty mentor is Stephen E. Podewell of the Department of Geography and the Lee Honors College.

Kara E. Stark of Alpena, Mich., a biomedical sciences major, has received a grant to study "Eosinophilic Response in Intestinal Peyer's Parches During Nematode Infections in Rats." Her faculty mentors are Dr. Leonard Beuving, chairperson of the Department of Biological Sciences, and Dr. Robert Eversole, electron microscope specialist.

Bethany Wolbert of Troy, Mich., an art and Spanish major, has received a grant for a "Curltural and Societal Analysis of Puerto Rico via Documentary Photography." Her faculty mentor is Adam A. Dekraker in the Department of Art.

Media contact: Jessica English, 616 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu


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