June 24, 2004

SIUC names students to McNair Scholar program

by K.C. Jaehnig

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale has selected its first McNair Scholars.

Eighteen undergraduates from Illinois, Indiana and Ohio will take part in the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, a federally sponsored effort to foster graduate school aspirations in two groups of college students -- those who are the first in their low-income families to attend college and those from minority groups whose members don't usually go on to earn doctoral degrees. McNair, an African-American physicist, died in the Challenger explosion.

SIUC, which has a long tradition of educating minority and first-generation college students, last year won a $1.6 million, five-year grant to recruit academically promising students for the program and develop and run activities for them.

"This is a really select group of students," said Karen Renzaglia, a research professor in plant biology who directs the program.

"They have to be open to getting a Ph.D. or they wouldn't be here."

The program premiered June 1 with a two-week orientation that covered topics ranging from graduate school selection and preparing for the Graduate Record Examination to time management and teamwork. Over the summer, most of the scholars will work closely with faculty mentors learning how to propose, conduct and report on research projects while continuing to prepare for the graduate exam. When school starts up again in the fall, they will enroll in a newly developed class that will focus on helping them succeed as undergraduates, as graduate students and as new faculty members.

"We will be mentoring and supporting them every step of the way," Renzaglia said.

Promoting excellence in graduate education is among the goals of Southern@150, Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.

Here's a brief look at SIUC's first McNair scholars (listed by hometown):

  • Aurora: Natalie M. Bonner, a junior in economics and the daughter of Charles E. and Lilliam M. Bonner (339 Colorado Ave.). She will work with faculty mentor Daniel A. Primont on an investigation of malpractice insurance in Illinois.

  • Bloomington: Maurice M. Betts, a senior in chemistry and biochemistry and the son of Altheria Betts (909 W. Mulberry St.) and Gary Williams. He will work with faculty mentor Lori A. Vermuelen on new ways of using ultrasound in administering drugs to patients.

  • Bolingbrook: Lavon N. Pettis, a senior in psychology and sociology and the daughter of Doris Y. Kemp (370 Kirkwood Circle). She will work with faculty mentor Josephine D. Korchmaros on a study of stereotypes relating to black women.

  • Carbondale: Donna M. Greaves, a senior in social work and the daughter of Teresa A. Nasir (10588 County Line Road). She will work with faculty mentor Cheryl A. Presley to look at faculty and staff perceptions of drug and alcohol use on campus.

  • Chicago: Jami N. Jackson, a junior in psychology and the granddaughter of Ernestine Childs (1506 71st Place). She will choose and conduct her research project next summer.

    Danita D. Little, a junior in English and the daughter of Detra Crudpu (10227 S. Wallace). She will choose and conduct her research project next summer.

    Shavonne Montgomery, a senior in chemistry and biochemistry and the daughter of Yvonne Montgomery (8412 South Bennett Avenue) and Bobby Holloway. She will work with faculty mentor Matthew E. McCarroll to investigate the structure of a certain type of protein and the body's cholesterol transport system.

    Deanese A. Williams, a junior in journalism and the daughter of Billy Harris and Marianne Tidwell-Harris (4752 S. Evans). She will work with faculty mentor Kevin M. Foster on ways to use Gallatin County's Old Slave House for cultural and educational purposes.

  • Dahlgren: Andrea D. Wilton, a senior in physiology and the daughter of Ralph E. and Nancy D. Wilton (R.R. 1). She will work with faculty mentor Lydia A. Arbogast to look at molecular and cellular reproductive neuroendocrinology.

  • Effingham: Christine L. Goldstein, a senior in forestry and the daughter of Mark and Shari Goldstein (601 W. Rickelman). She will work with faculty mentor Karl Williard on a study of nitrogen leaching and mineralization in riverbank stands of autumn olive trees.

  • Flora: Nicole M. Huffman, a senior in psychology and sociology and the daughter of Joan M. Huffman (900 Rider Street). She will work with faculty mentor Mark A. Schneider in testing a theory about how disabled persons use legal recourses.

  • Marion: Renee A. Lopez, a senior in plant biology and the daughter of Ruth I. Menard (1148 Midway Court). She will work with faculty mentor Karen Renzaglia to investigate fertilization in a species of fern.

  • Murphysboro: Gabriel C. Smith, a senior in industrial technology and the son of Billy G. and Monica M. Smith (50 Nutmeg Lane). He will work with faculty mentor Dennis Watson on comparing propane fuel with traditional sources.

  • Orangeville: Danielle K. Estes, a senior in sociology and the daughter of James and Diann Estes (10078 N. Bellview). She will choose and conduct her research project next summer.

  • Shelbyville: Abbie J. Fox, a junior in biological sciences and the daughter of Stuart and Janie Fox (R.R. 1). She will work with faculty mentor Michael W. Collard in studying the regulation of gene expression in cancer.

  • Tiskilwa: Kandace L. Fisher, a senior in interior design and the daughter of Kurt L. Fisher (305 Galena St.) and Ruth A. Gallianetti (423 E. Hill St). She will work with faculty mentor Melinda Lagarce to study the effects of environmental lighting on human physiology and behavior in experimental built environments.

INDIANA

  • Hammond: Sydney J. Dillard, a sophomore in journalism and the daughter of Larry and Sakira Dillard (220 Conkey). She will choose and conduct her research project next summer.

OHIO

  • Cincinnati: Cortez C. McBerry, a senior in microbiology and the son of Yul and Cynthia McBerry (810 W. Kemper Road). He will work with faculty member John M. Martinko to see how a complex of certain types of cells affect the immune response.