White House awards UROPfor excellence

By Michael Grass
Daily Staff Reporter

The University's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program has received the White House's attention for excellence in mentoring, bringing $10,000 in grant money to the increasingly popular 11-year-old program.

The University announced yesterday that UROP is being recognized with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

Each year, the White House honors individuals and programs that encourage minorities, women and persons with disabilities to pursue careers in scientific, engineering and technical fields.

"The mentoring relationship makes a big difference in the success of students," said Lee Katterman, assistant to the vice president for research, attributing the program's success in part to UROP's commitment to faculty-student mentorships.

UROP began in 1988 with 14 students and just as many faculty mentors, said UROP Director Sandra Gregerman. Katterman said the original intent of the program stressed fostering faculty-student relationships for women and minorities.

But as the program grew, UROP's focus expanded to include nearly 900 University students working with 550 faculty members. Katterman said although many students involved with the program concentrate on biomedical research, UROP members can conduct research on topics outside of science, including the arts and humanities.

"As we approach the 21st Century, it is essential that all American students are prepared to meet the scientific and technological challenges of the future," said Neal Lane, President Clinton's assistant for science and technology in a letter to Fawwaz Ulaby, the University's vice president for research.

Lane wrote that the University's "accomplishments in mentoring students from underrepresented groups exemplifies the talent and commitment this program aims to recognize."

Katterman said faculty commitment to the program is especially important to UROP's success. "Faculty are asking to be part of the program," he said. "UROP has a terrific record of involving undergraduate students in their learning through research that is beginning to help us understand why these mentoring experiences are so useful for success of our undergraduate students," Ulaby said.

UROP peer adviser Paul Berg, an LSA junior, said the recognition attests to the success of the program.

"All of us peer advisers know first-hand it's a great program," he said. "It's nice to have this kind of national recognition."

Before becoming a peer adviser, Berg was a UROP student doing research on iron deficiency.
Katterman said UROP, among the first programs of its kind in the country, has been a model for other schools, such as the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the University of Kentucky.

Gregerman said UROP is expanding its scope to include opportunities for juniors and seniors.

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