Lara Dodge presents research at national conference

2013 Dec 19

Lara Dodge of Prairie Farm, Wis., was one of 10 students who presented research recently at the 22nd annual National McNair Research Conference and Graduate Fair at UW-Milwaukee.

Dodge majoring in psychology presented "Music and Memory: Effects of Listening to Music While Studying in College Students". Dodge's mentor was Michael Mensick, UW-Stout.

“Students gained experience in presenting research, had networking opportunities with faculty and staff and had a chance to interact in a diverse environment with scholars from across the nation,” said Sarah Wynn, UW-Stout McNair Scholars Program director.

Students also attended workshops about preparing for graduate school and heard a talk by Carl McNair, brother of the program’s namesake.

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program began nationally in 1989 to bring more first-generation college students and disadvantaged groups into higher education. It is named after McNair, a scholar and astronaut who died in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle explosion.

UW-Stout’s McNair program began in fall 2009.

Student acceptance to the prestigious McNair Scholars Program is based on specific eligibility requirements. Scholars are selected at the end of their sophomore year. They receive a paid summer research experience; tuition-waived courses and workshops; course materials; a faculty mentor to guide research; site visits to graduate schools; help with preparing for the Graduate Record Exam and graduate school applications; and travel to at least one conference.

For more information, go to www.uwstout.edu/mcnair.