Undergraduate research conference to take place tomorrow

Paige Wassel

Senior Writer

On Friday, Milligan will host the Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference for the second year in a row.

This conference offers undergraduate students in the Southern Appalachian Region the opportunity to present papers summarizing research in their respective majors.

Keely McInturf, a senior psychology major, presented in last year's conference and said that the conference allowed her to get practice in presenting research in a non-intimidating setting.

"It's a way to get your research out there, but there's less pressure," McInturf said. "It's always good to get experience speaking and that way if you go to graduate school you have some experience on what to expect if you do research."

Joy Drinnon, assistant professor of psychology and the chair of the planning committee for this year's conference, said that student presenters can use this event as an opportunity to both present their research and have something that looks good for graduate school and on a resume. She said that students attending the conference could also benefit from the presentations.

"If they've never been to a conference, it's good to observe it if they plan to (participate) in the future," Drinnon said. "It's good to learn about research in their major and outside it."

Approximately 60 students from 10 colleges and universities in the region are participating in this 11th annual conference. Milligan students are participating in 13 presentations, Drinnon said.

The keynote speaker for this year's conference is Ted Olson, professor of Appalachian Studies and English courses at East Tennessee State University. Olson will be speaking on "Reviving Tradition after the Millennium: Recent Efforts to Study and Celebrate Appalachian Folk Culture."

Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference
Milligan College
April 2, 2004

Schedule Highlights

9:00 - 10:00 Registration Derthick Student Lounge
10:00 - 10:15 Welcome--Derthick 202
10:30 - 11:25 Session 1-- Derthick and Hardin
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch McCormick--Dining Hall
12:00-12:30 McCormick Dining Hall
Guest Speaker Ted Olson
12:45-1:15 Poster Session--Derthick Student Lounge
1:20 - 2:15 Session 2--Derthick and Hardin