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Last updated: 10-21-2009 at 6:00 p.m.

McNeese Alumni Association Undergraduate Scholar Program

A Program for Student Scholars in Search of Excellence

*Please note major changes in Program Awards and Format.

The McNeese State University Alumni Association is sponsoring an Undergraduate Scholar Program (USP) to support a student's inquiry, investigation, or experimentation into a topic that will make an original, intellectual or creative contribution to his/her field of study. The USP requires an educational collaboration and strong partnership between students and faculty mentors. Faculty mentor commitment is vital to the success of this program. Participation in this program may be approached in one of two ways: (1) Interested students who seek out faculty supervision for their projects or (2) Faculty members who involve undergraduate students in their scholarly activities. The USP will culminate in a presentation as a means of making the body of knowledge or creative exploration available to peers, professionals and the general public during the week celebrating academic excellence in Spring 2010.

The McNeese State University Alumni Association will make available a $750 cash award for one scholarly project from each participating academic department listed below.* One or two students may participate on a project. The award will be divided equally if two students participate. Projects will be presented and judged during the week celebrating academic excellence at McNeese State University, 26-29 April 2010. Projects deemed "Best in Section" will receive an additional $750. For sections with four or more competing departments, projects placing 2nd will receive $450. Each faculty member mentoring a student project receiving a "Best in Section" Award will receive $330 from the McNeese State University Alumni Association. Each faculty member mentoring a student project placing 2nd will receive $230.

There are two components to the USP - a Poster Presentation to be completed before April 26, 2010, and a Research Report/Paper due by April 7, 2010. Please see General Information and Guidelines for more details.

The Vice-President for Academic Affairs requests all Department Heads provide a completed Student Scholar Selection Form with their Dean's signature on or before November 19th, 2009, to: MSU Alumni Association Undergraduate Scholar Program (Scholar Selection), c/o Office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Box 93220, BBC 427. If two students are participating on one project, then two forms must be submitted for that project.

*Academic departments offering undergraduate programs in six sections for "Best in Section" Awards:

BUSINESS - College of Business (Accounting, Finance and Economics; Management, Marketing and General Business).
EDUCATION - Burton College of Education (Health and Human Performance; Educational Leadership and Instructional Technology; Psychology; Teacher Education).
ENGINEERING - College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (Engineering; Engineering Technology).
LIBERAL ARTS - College of Liberal Arts (English and Foreign Languages; History; Mass Communication; Performing Arts; Social Sciences; Visual Arts).
NURSING/GENERAL AND BASIC STUDIES - College of Nursing/General and Basic Studies (Undergraduate Nursing; General and Basic Studies).
SCIENCE - College of Science (Agriculture; Biology and Health Sciences; Chemistry; Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics; Nutrition and Family Studies; Physics).

General Information and Guidelines

The undergraduate scholar projects will be showcased during the week celebrating academic excellence at McNeese State University in Spring 2010 (26-29 April 2010).
Students and faculty mentors will present their projects before judges to determine the projects to receive "Best in Section" Awards.
Sections include: Business, Education, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Nursing/General and Basic Studies, and Science.
Only undergraduate students may participate.
One to two students may participate on a single project. If two students are participating on one project, then two Student Scholar Selection forms must be submitted for that project by November 19th, 2009.
A $750 cash award will be presented to the student scholar at an awards ceremony upon completion of the project and final signature of the faculty mentor. If there are two student scholars per project, funds will be divided equally between the students.
Each project may receive up to $150 from the McNeese Alumni Association to help defray project costs; however, these funds will be deducted from the $750 cash award for that individual project. Students requesting such funds must discuss this with their faculty mentor. It is the responsibility of the faculty mentor to contact the program chair for further information regarding this request.
There are two components to the USP:
- Poster Presentation - Presentations must be in a poster format or other visual format. Academic Affairs will purchase the poster boards needed for the presentations. Please visit Guidelines for Poster Presentations, Expectations for Undergraduate Student Presentations and Judging Criteria for more information.
- Research Report/Paper - A research report/paper is required for each project. The research report/paper will constitute twenty-five percent (25%) of the overall score for final judging of the "Best in Section" Award. Please visit Guidelines for Preparation of Undergraduate Scholar Research Report and Writing Rubric for more information.
At the Quality Day Symposium on April 27, 2010, students and faculty mentors will present their projects to the campus community.
Students participating in the presentation will be excused from class.
Students are expected to dress professionally.
Electrical support is available, but extremely limited. Students and faculty mentors will need to make their own arrangements and supply their own extension cords if a laptop, projector or other electrical device is required. Please note: The project will be on exhibit for three days. If electricity is required, the faculty mentor must submit a request to Chris Thomas, Assistant Dean of Student Services, by March 15, 2010. After this date, no electrical support will be available.
If using the wireless internet service, students and faculty mentors must register their laptop well in advance (at least three weeks) at http://ns.mcneese.edu/wireless/. Internet connections must be tested well in advance (at least a week, with a check at 24 hrs) before April 27, 2010.

Timeline/Deadlines

For Department Heads

November 19, 2009 - Submit the Student Scholar Selection Form to Academic Affairs. If two students are participating on one project, then two forms must be submitted for that project.

For Deans

April 7, 2010 - Submit the names and contact information to Academic Affairs of faculty members who will serve as judges (information forthcoming).

For Student Scholars and Faculty Mentors

March 15, 2010 - Submit request for electric outlet use for students using laptops, projectors, etc. to Chris Thomas, Assistant Dean of Student Services.
April 7, 2010 by Midnight - Submit research report/paper through Blackboard® to Dr. Delma Porter, Director of the Write to Excellence Center.
April 26, 2010 - Students set up presentations in Parra Ballroom.
April 27, 2010 - Students and faculty mentors will stand by their presentations at designated times during the Quality Day Symposium (times to be determined).
April 27, 2010 - Judging at a special afternoon/evening event hosted by the McNeese Alumni Association.
April 28, 2010 - Undergraduate Scholars Reception and Awards Ceremony hosted by the McNeese Alumni Association.

For the Campus Community

April 27, 2010 - Quality Day Symposium. Students and faculty mentors will present their projects.
April 29, 2010 - Faculty Colloquium.

Point of contact for this program is Dr. William H. Dees, Chair, MSU Alumni Association Undergraduate Scholar Program; Phone: 337.475.5654, FAX: 337.475.5677, E-mail:wdees@mcneese.edu.