Western Courier

Issue date: 4/21/04 Section: News

Media Credit: Darren S. Dale (Left to right) Martin Dupuis, acting director of the Illinois Centennial Honors College, Provost Joseph Rallo, and Greg Sollenberger, senior physics major, applaud Michael E. Nelson, dean of the College of Science and Allied Health at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. They were all a part of the Undergraduate Research Days. Nelson says research and questions are the way to learn about knowledge, ethics and life.

Western Illinois University's Undergraduate Research program has inspired students to ask stimulating questions and explore their surroundings for answers.

As part of Western's Undergraduate Research Day, Michael E. Nelson, dean of the College of Science and Allied Health at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, gave his lecture "Red Poppies, the Cheshire Cat and Paradise Found: The Value of Undergraduate Research and Your Future" Tuesday night.

Nelson praised undergraduate research programs for their ability to "improve the quality of students and faculty and to develop teamwork and pride."

He travels the country lecturing about these research programs.

"I feel like an old-time preacher spreading the gospel," he said.

Nelson said not only do these programs produce satisfaction for students, but they also "help faculty be role models for new faculty members."

According to Nelson, the role the faculty plays in encouraging students to research is remarkable. Nelson said he is witness to this because he felt it was advantageous to him throughout his education to have encouragement from his teachers.

He said his first real awareness of what he was interested in - geology - came in first grade. His teacher always encouraged him to ask questions and find answers to them. He said he practices that even today, but now he calls it research.

"Asking questions is what research is all about," Nelson said.

Nelson said he is confident students can gain knowledge by participating in undergraduate research programs.

"Students who complete undergraduate research programs are learning more about knowledge, ethics and life," he said. "They are learning that they are capable of learning more than they thought they could."

Nelson outlined his view of the "University of Utopia," where an increased number of general education course hours are required.

"These are the core of student learning," he said. He added the university's mission statement is based on the promotion of student learning and the exploration of things that students are genuinely interested in.

Students at Western have received recognition for their research. Some students who have received recognition are junior Ryan Gordon, who received the Goldwater Scholarship; senior Jason Orris, who received Honorable Mention in the Goldwater competition; and senior Jessica Ruppert and sophomore Rachel Lewis, who both received awards from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

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