Thirteen Westminster College students presented their research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) April 15-17 at the University of Montana in Missoula.

The interdisciplinary conference hosted over 2,000 students from across the country. Presenters were invited from all institutions of higher learning and from all academic curricula. The conference created an environment for the celebration and promotion of undergraduate student achievement, provided models of exemplary research and scholarship, and helped improve the state of undergraduate education.

"The conference was the best one I've attended," said Kelly Lake, a junior English major. "I think Westminster was well represented with some fascinating research."

Senior history major Lynn Rice appreciated the support shown by the Westminster students for each other's presentations: "It was comforting to look into the crowd and see familiar faces when I was presenting," she said. "The support shown by all our students shows what a tight-knit community Westminster creates for students."

Westminster faculty who accompanied the students were: Dr. Carolyn Cuff, professor and chair of Westminster's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science; Dr. Timothy Cuff, associate professor of history and First-Year Program coordinator; and Dr. Sherri Pataki, assistant professor of psychology.

Former Westminster College Trustee Dr. Wayne Miller, a 1961 Westminster graduate, drove from his home in Kalispell, Mont., to see the presentations and posters.

"It was a joy to meet the students and to hear their presentations," Miller said. "My pride was obvious. Just as satisfying was my observation of the students' relationships with the faculty members who accompanied them. Drawing from personal experience, I know that such relationships pay additional dividends."

The Westminster students received travel/presentation grants from Westminster's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning to help fund the trip.
The Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was created to enrich undergraduate education at Westminster through advancing world-class teaching as well as by participating in collaborations that address community and regional needs including strengthening K-12 education. The Undergraduate Research Initiative provides funding for students to conduct research and to present their research at regional and national conferences. Additional information is available at www.westminster.edu/drinko.

Contact Dr. Tim Cuff at (724) 946-6152 or e-mail cufft@westminster.edu for additional information about NCUR.