In a few weeks the city of La Crosse will become an academic mecca as more than 2,500 student scholars and faculty journey to UW-L for the 23rd National Conference on Undergraduate Research April 16 - 18.
The annual NCUR conference showcases the research done by undergraduate students in all fields of study from biology to sociology. Students will give oral presentations, participate in poster sessions, present original artwork, and give a performance in dance, music and theater.
This will be only the second time the conference has been held in Wisconsin; it was hosted by UW-Whitewater in 2002. Schools have to bid to host the conference. UW-L submitted a proposal for the hosting site four years ago in 2005.
Students from over 350 colleges and universities will present research including nearly 100 students from UW-L.
"NCUR creates a unique environment for ... undergraduate student achievement and provides models of exemplary research and scholarship that helps improve the state of undergraduate research," according to Chancellor Joe Gow in the NCUR Conference program.
In addition to student presentations, four plenary speakers will deliver featured talks during the conference, including Wisconsin natives Bill Miller, a two-time Grammy winner, and Mark Lee, a former astronaut. Others are scientist Jack Horner, noted for his paleontology work, and adventurer Anne Bancroft, who is the first and only woman to cross both the North and South Pole ice.
As part of the conference, a Graduate and Professional School Fair sponsored by Career Services will be held 1-5 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in the Mitchell Hall Gym. Schools on the list to attend include Columbia University Teachers College, Georgetown University, Medical College of Wisconsin, Northwestern, and various UW graduate programs, among many others.
"NCUR student presenters are the students that typically plan on pursuing graduate education," said Gloria Weiner of Career Services, making the grad school fair a good complement.
NCUR is not all work and no play. Thursday evening participants can unwind with a Mississippi River Cruise or bowling at Pla-Mor Lanes. Friday culminates in an evening "Viva La Crosse" party held at the Oktoberfest Grounds, which includes a Wisconsin meal, complete with brats and cheese curds and various casino card games including poker and blackjack. Top winners have a chance of winning a Nintendo Wii. Various other entertainment are also planned, including local band the Shoeless Revolution.
The idea for a national conference open to all undergraduates was envisioned at the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 1987. The first conference drew more than 400 participants from schools across the country. Now in existence for over twenty years, the conference is the largest of its kind in the nation, unique in its emphasis on undergraduate research.
According to the official NCUR website, over the past 20 years there has been a tremendous growth in undergraduate research at all types of institutions, shattering traditional expectations of undergraduate students.
All students and staff are invited to NCUR presentations and poster displays. For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit www. theracquet.net.
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