Eight Westminster College Students Receive Grants to Present Undergraduate Research at Model UN Conference

The Westminster College Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning has awarded grants to eight students to continue their undergraduate research and to present their work at the Midwest Model UN Conference to be held Feb. 13-16 in St. Louis.

"Enhancing opportunities for undergraduate research is an important component of the work of the Drinko Center in enriching undergraduate education," said Dr. Virginia Tomlinson, Westminster College associate professor of sociology and director of the Drinko Center. "The Undergraduate Research Initiative provides funding for students to conduct research and to present their research at regional and national conferences. So far this year 48 students have been awarded grants to conduct research."

The latest students to receive awards are:

Karli Champ, a sophomore media art major, is a daughter of David and Rebecca Champ of Jamestown, N.Y., and a graduate of Maple Grove High School. She will represent Romanian policy regarding "Enhancing the Progress of the United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All."

Ethan Frey, a sophomore exploratory major, is a son of Nancy Frey of Wilkes-Barre and a graduate of Elmer L. Meyers High School. He will represent Romanian policy on the issues of "The External Debt Crisis and Development" and "Implementation of Millennium Development Goal Eight: Developing a Global Partnership for Development."

Jelena Gerga, a senior international politics and political science major, is a daughter of Gabriel and Aurelia Gerga of Lakewood, Ohio, and a graduate of Lakewood High School. She will represent Romanian policy regarding the "Situation of Human Rights in Darfur," "The Issue of the Death Penalty," and "Issue of Human Rights Violations and Implications of the Israeli Occupation of Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories."

Leah Herskovitz, a senior international politics major, is a daughter of George and Linda Herskovitz of Sharpsville and a graduate of Sharpsville High School. She will represent Romanian policy on the issues of "Review of the Whole Question of Peacekeeping Operations in Relation to Terrorism" and "The Situation in Afghanistan."

Natasha Kassim, a junior biochemistry and political science major, is a daughter of Laurie Kassim of Canfield, Ohio, and a graduate of Canfield High School.

Danielle McCullough, senior history major, is a daughter of Wayne McCullough of Sharpsville and Catherine Spears of Colorado Springs, Colo., and a graduate of Liberty High School.

Kassim and McCullough will represent Romanian policy on "Information and Communications Technology and Development," "Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism," and "Promoting Access to Fresh Water."

Meredith Smith, a freshman international politics and French major, is a daughter of Craig and Bonnie Smith of Volant and a graduate of Wilmington Area High School. She will represent Romanian policy regarding "Enhancing the Progress of the United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All" and "International Drug Control."

Christopher Stone, a senior individual interdisciplinary and philosophy major, is a son of William and Jenny Stone of New Wilmington and a graduate of Wilmington Area High School. He will represent Romania's policy on the issues of the "Establishment of a Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone in the Middle East" and "Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction."

Dr. Michael Aleprete, Westminster assistant professor of political science, is the faculty adviser to the group.

All grant recipients are invited to participate in the Undergraduate Research Symposium held on campus in the spring.

Contact Tomlinson at (724) 946-6033 or e-mail tomlinvm@westminster.edu or visit www.westminster.edu/drinko for additional information.