Students Receive Grants for Undergraduate Research Presentation

The Westminster College Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning awarded undergraduate research grants to Laura Pienkowski and Brett Turk, senior psychology-human resources majors, to present their research at the Midwestern Psychology Association meeting April 30-May 4 in Chicago.

Pienkowski, a daughter of Thomas and Kathleen Pienkowski of Washington and a graduate of Trinity High School, will present "Antecedents and Learning Consequences of Psychological Safety in Organizational Teams."

Turk, a son of Debra Turk of New Castle and the late Robert Turk, is a graduate of Union Area High School. He will present "Idiosyncratic Working Arrangements and Their Relationship to Organizational Attitudes and Behaviors."

Faculty adviser for both students is Dr. Jamie McMinn, Westminster College assistant professor of psychology.

"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 52 students have been awarded grants to conduct and present research."

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

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