< Master Follies Fast Approaching
January 27, 2012
By: Staff Report
Established in 1987 the NCUR will gather in 2012 at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah on March 29-31.
When that assembly of some of the top college students in the country takes place there will be 10 Lubbock Christian University students among the 3,500 that were chosen to present abstracts. Those students will present the findings of their research in various areas of study.
"For the past two years, we have sponsored undergraduate researchers at NCUR. Students have an opportunity to present posters or papers and view similar work done by students in every discipline," said Dr. Julie Marshall, Associate Professor of Chemistry, who also supervises the undergraduate research program in the Biochemical Research Lab. "Each year the number of students and disciplines represented has grown. This year, 10 students from humanities, exercise science, natural science and other disciplines will travel to Utah to present research. It is our (the university's) intent to promote undergraduate research and opportunities for students to present their work both at home through our own Scholar's Colloquium held in the spring of each year, as well as national meetings. Through research, our undergraduate students are able to think critically as they design their project and carry out experiments/investigation. It is also extremely valuable to gather data, write the results and present that information to an audience of peers and faculty. The ability to critically examine issues relative to one's discipline and defend ideas coherently is the hallmark of the type of student LCU strives to develop."
The LCU students chosen to present at the 2012 NCUR, their research topic and their faculty advisor are:
Shawna Becker and Angel Vega
Abstract Title: The Effects of Moderate Exercise on Mood State Depression
Faculty Advisor: Dean Culpepper, Ph.D.
Taylor Daugherty
Abstract Title: A Correlational Analysis of Texas School Demographic Factors and Academic Success in Science
Faculty Advisor: Cathy Box, Ph.D.
"Taylor Daugherty is an outstanding undergraduate student who is preparing to become a high school social studies teacher," said Dr. Cathy Box. "Having the heart of a true educator, she decided to research various conditions that serve as predictors for student success. Her results were quite illuminating and will help her and other Texas educators tackle tough problems in the field of education."
Caitlin Kender
Abstract Title: Fan Attendance Determinants at a Small Christian College
Faculty Advisor: Dean Culpepper, Ph.D.
Samantha Lack
Abstract Title: Faithful Harry and the Reformation: Evaluating Events Leading to Henry VIII's Excommunication
Faculty Advisor: Keith Owen, Ph.D.
"Mrs. Samantha Lack is a senior history major and she is an excellent researcher," says Dr. Owen of Samantha. "She is respected by her professors for her clarity of thought and felicity of written expression. Her efforts on her paper entitled 'Faithful Harry and the Reformation' were highly praised by the history faculty."
Courtney Tyler
Abstract Title: The Kenyan Spirit: an exploration through photographs
Faculty Advisor: Michelle Kraft, Ph.D.
"Courtney Tyler is a senior Art Education major whose photographs were chosen from entries across the U.S. for the juried art exhibition that is part of this national conference," reports Dr. Michelle Kraft. "Courtney is a deep and insightful thinker who is wise--and possessive of a spectrum of experiences--beyond her years. She is actively engaged in issues related to social justice and in working alongside the disenfranchised toward social equality. The bodies of photographic work she'll display at NCUR typify Courtney's ability to overlay her own empathy and narrative voice with those of her subjects. Her images are amazingly powerful."
Kristen Vander-Plas
Abstract Title: Homicidal Heirs: A Comparative Analysis of Mordred, Son of King Arthur, and Absalom, Son of King David
Faculty Advisor: Carole Carroll, Ph.D.
Sara McBride and Joshua Thomas
(named Outstanding Undergraduate Research of the Year by the LCU Council on Undergraduate Research)
Abstract Title: Influence of Low Temperature on Patterns of Coliform Bacteria Abundance from Field and Laboratory Samples
Faculty Advisors: Lucy Porter, M.S. and Bart Durham, Ph.D.
"Working with Lubbock Christian University undergraduate students like Sara, Joshua and Nolan is an opportunity to mentor students as they progress from inexperienced, hesitant novices to experienced researchers," said Faculty Advisor Lucy Porter. "These students develop creative thinking and problem solving skills while learning that classroom instruction has real world application. The National Conference on Undergraduate Research is a great opportunity for LCU students to gather with 3000 other researchers from across the nation as they present their work through oral presentations of posters and papers. Undergraduate research opportunities prepare students well for any profession they pursue."
Nolan Rutherford
(was awarded a scholarship this year based on his undergraduate research from the Lubbock Chapter for Achievement Awards for College Scientists)
Abstract Title: Evaluation of Microbological Methods for Enumeratng Fecal Coliforms in Playa Lakes
Faculty Advisors: Lucy Porter, M.S. and Bart Durham, Ph.D.
"It has been such a pleasure to observe Sara, Josh, and Nolan work so diligently on their independent research projects over the past year," said Dr. Durham of the students. "Through their projects, they have gone beyond the passive consumption of information that typically occurs at the undergraduate level and are already using their academic training and research skills to contribute to scientific knowledge. I have observed their confidence grow as they completed the necessary critical thinking and writing components of their projects. All of the characteristics that I have seen develop in these students reaffirms my commitment to the importance of undergraduate research. I am confident that each of these students will represent LCU and our community very well at NCUR and wherever life takes them after their time with us."
January 27, 2012
By: Staff Report
LCU Students to Make National Presentations
The National Conferences on Undergraduate Research says in its mission statement that its goal is to promote undergraduate research scholarship and creative activity done in partnership with faculty or other mentors as a vital component of higher education.
Kristen Vander-Plas is one of the 10 LCU students that will make presentations at the NCUR in 2012.
When that assembly of some of the top college students in the country takes place there will be 10 Lubbock Christian University students among the 3,500 that were chosen to present abstracts. Those students will present the findings of their research in various areas of study.
"For the past two years, we have sponsored undergraduate researchers at NCUR. Students have an opportunity to present posters or papers and view similar work done by students in every discipline," said Dr. Julie Marshall, Associate Professor of Chemistry, who also supervises the undergraduate research program in the Biochemical Research Lab. "Each year the number of students and disciplines represented has grown. This year, 10 students from humanities, exercise science, natural science and other disciplines will travel to Utah to present research. It is our (the university's) intent to promote undergraduate research and opportunities for students to present their work both at home through our own Scholar's Colloquium held in the spring of each year, as well as national meetings. Through research, our undergraduate students are able to think critically as they design their project and carry out experiments/investigation. It is also extremely valuable to gather data, write the results and present that information to an audience of peers and faculty. The ability to critically examine issues relative to one's discipline and defend ideas coherently is the hallmark of the type of student LCU strives to develop."
The LCU students chosen to present at the 2012 NCUR, their research topic and their faculty advisor are:
Shawna Becker and Angel Vega
Abstract Title: The Effects of Moderate Exercise on Mood State Depression
Faculty Advisor: Dean Culpepper, Ph.D.
Taylor Daugherty
Abstract Title: A Correlational Analysis of Texas School Demographic Factors and Academic Success in Science
Faculty Advisor: Cathy Box, Ph.D.
"Taylor Daugherty is an outstanding undergraduate student who is preparing to become a high school social studies teacher," said Dr. Cathy Box. "Having the heart of a true educator, she decided to research various conditions that serve as predictors for student success. Her results were quite illuminating and will help her and other Texas educators tackle tough problems in the field of education."
Caitlin Kender
Abstract Title: Fan Attendance Determinants at a Small Christian College
Faculty Advisor: Dean Culpepper, Ph.D.
Samantha Lack
Abstract Title: Faithful Harry and the Reformation: Evaluating Events Leading to Henry VIII's Excommunication
Faculty Advisor: Keith Owen, Ph.D.
"Mrs. Samantha Lack is a senior history major and she is an excellent researcher," says Dr. Owen of Samantha. "She is respected by her professors for her clarity of thought and felicity of written expression. Her efforts on her paper entitled 'Faithful Harry and the Reformation' were highly praised by the history faculty."
Courtney Tyler
Abstract Title: The Kenyan Spirit: an exploration through photographs
Faculty Advisor: Michelle Kraft, Ph.D.
"Courtney Tyler is a senior Art Education major whose photographs were chosen from entries across the U.S. for the juried art exhibition that is part of this national conference," reports Dr. Michelle Kraft. "Courtney is a deep and insightful thinker who is wise--and possessive of a spectrum of experiences--beyond her years. She is actively engaged in issues related to social justice and in working alongside the disenfranchised toward social equality. The bodies of photographic work she'll display at NCUR typify Courtney's ability to overlay her own empathy and narrative voice with those of her subjects. Her images are amazingly powerful."
Kristen Vander-Plas
Abstract Title: Homicidal Heirs: A Comparative Analysis of Mordred, Son of King Arthur, and Absalom, Son of King David
Faculty Advisor: Carole Carroll, Ph.D.
Sara McBride and Joshua Thomas
(named Outstanding Undergraduate Research of the Year by the LCU Council on Undergraduate Research)
Abstract Title: Influence of Low Temperature on Patterns of Coliform Bacteria Abundance from Field and Laboratory Samples
Faculty Advisors: Lucy Porter, M.S. and Bart Durham, Ph.D.
"Working with Lubbock Christian University undergraduate students like Sara, Joshua and Nolan is an opportunity to mentor students as they progress from inexperienced, hesitant novices to experienced researchers," said Faculty Advisor Lucy Porter. "These students develop creative thinking and problem solving skills while learning that classroom instruction has real world application. The National Conference on Undergraduate Research is a great opportunity for LCU students to gather with 3000 other researchers from across the nation as they present their work through oral presentations of posters and papers. Undergraduate research opportunities prepare students well for any profession they pursue."
Nolan Rutherford
(was awarded a scholarship this year based on his undergraduate research from the Lubbock Chapter for Achievement Awards for College Scientists)
Abstract Title: Evaluation of Microbological Methods for Enumeratng Fecal Coliforms in Playa Lakes
Faculty Advisors: Lucy Porter, M.S. and Bart Durham, Ph.D.
"It has been such a pleasure to observe Sara, Josh, and Nolan work so diligently on their independent research projects over the past year," said Dr. Durham of the students. "Through their projects, they have gone beyond the passive consumption of information that typically occurs at the undergraduate level and are already using their academic training and research skills to contribute to scientific knowledge. I have observed their confidence grow as they completed the necessary critical thinking and writing components of their projects. All of the characteristics that I have seen develop in these students reaffirms my commitment to the importance of undergraduate research. I am confident that each of these students will represent LCU and our community very well at NCUR and wherever life takes them after their time with us."
