Eight Selected for Freshman Research Scholars Program

Monday, September 19, 2016

Eight new College of Education (COE) freshmen have been identified as Oklahoma State University Freshman Research Scholars. The students applied for the chance to begin exploring research opportunities and once selected began the process of pairing with a researcher in their field of interest and major.

“The College of Education is excited to have eight freshmen participating this year,” Juliana Utley, Interim Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Research and Engagement, said. “Faculty are looking forward to working with these outstanding young people on a research project. (Director of Student Services) Leslie Evans and I are meeting with them bi-weekly to provide support as they identify a mentor and plan the research project they will carry out in the spring.” 

The COE students chosen for the program include aerospace administration and operations majors Alex Dunbar from Greenville, S.C., and Blaine Hughes from Stillwater, elementary education majors Skylar Horn from Norman and Ellie Fate from Tulsa, recreation management and recreational therapy majors Abigail Peterson from Choctaw and Taryn Blackstock from Prosper, Texas, and secondary education majors Kristen Ball from Edmond and Jackson Thompson from Stillwater.

Each student received a $1,000 scholarship to pursue this hands-on introduction to university-level research in the Freshman Research Scholars (FRS) program. The 2016 class of freshmen students represent seven states and 28 majors from all undergraduate colleges. There are a total of 60 incoming Oklahoma State University freshmen in the program.

In this unique first-look at academic inquiry, students expand their education beyond the classroom by engaging in cutting-edge research under the guidance of some of the most innovative faculty on campus. FRS students learn basic research ethics and methodology while working closely with their mentors and graduate assistants to design and conduct projects of their choosing.

Whether one intends to make a career of research or solve a simple problem, students interested in pursuing research will always find receptive faculty to mentor them through the process regardless of funding through a formal program, making OSU a truly vibrant community for young scholars with big questions.

For more information about the Freshman Research Scholars program and other undergraduate research opportunities at Oklahoma State University, please contact The Henry Bellmon Office of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research at 334 Student Union, Stillwater, OK 74078, 405-744-7313, jessica.roark@okstate.edu or visit  http://okstate.edu/scholars.