Adelphi Encourages Summer Research for Honors Students

Online, July 26, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Through Adelphi University's Honors College Summer Research Grant Program, a competitive program that funds Honors College students for their summer research projects, thirteen students were awarded generous stipends to conduct research on various topics of interest ranging from arts and humanities to hardcore science research. Seven students out of the thirteen will be engaged in full-time research and receive $4,000 compensation and the rest will be awarded with $2,000 for part-time research. Honors college students are required to prepare a thesis and present it at the end of senior year to graduate. This program offers students the opportunity to explore their areas of interest and get an early start with their senior thesis. All these benefits combined with a generous compensation make this program a wise investment for students.

The Summer Research Grant program began in summer 2012 and fully funded ten students who worked full-time-40 hours per week for eight weeks. Due to the increased interest of students into the program this year, partial grants were introduced, thereby accommodating more fellows into the program. The part-time fellows conduct shorter research, working on their topics for 40 hours per week for 4 weeks or 20 hours per week for 8 week.

The students are selected on the basis of their research proposal and the viability of their research-projects that are substantial and can be completed within the time period; however, priority is given to juniors and to those who haven't received grants opportunity yet. Students are free to choose any topic. Usually juniors take this opportunity to research on a project that they can later develop into the senior thesis required to graduate from the Honors Program. Fellows are mentored and advised by either a faculty member or a professional.

Richard Garner, dean of the Honors College explains that students want "to engage in intellectual activities during summer; at the same time, many students feel compelled to work at restaurants as they need to make money to meet their annual budget. This research grant allows the students the opportunity to conduct a professional research on the topics of their choice, at the same time, allow them to meet their budgets." He adds that he only expects his students to "learn something and dive into something they really want to."

One of the grant recipients, Oliver Littleton '16, who is currently working on his topic Heroes: What Were They, What Are They, What Will They Become?, shares "this is a topic that I have had on my mind for a very long time, years even, and I have had a passion for." He is currently studying about the heroes from all forms of art and real life in classical, transitional and modern ages and will be conducting a survey to understand people's perception of heroism and what makes heroes exceptional. Littleton also explains that the opportunity to work closely with his advisor has prepared him to become more productive and effective and believes that "this is one of the many things that sets apart my experience with the Honors College and Adelphi beyond what I had hoped for."

Dean Garner explains that the program is still in its initial stage, "it is like a work-in-progress and we are still tailoring it to make it meaningful for the students; for example we only had the full-time research projects last year. We opened up part time positions so that more students can be accommodated."

To learn more about the Honors College, visit http://academics.adelphi.edu/honors-college/

About Adelphi University: Adelphi is a world-class, modern university with excellent and highly relevant programs where students prepare for lives of active citizenship and professional careers. Through its schools and programs-College of Arts and Sciences, Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Honors College, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, College of Nursing and Public Health and the School of Social Work-the coeducational university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional and educational programs for adults. Adelphi University currently enrolls nearly 8,000 students from 43 states and 45 foreign countries. With its main campus in Garden City and its centers in Manhattan, Suffolk County, and Poughkeepsie, the University, chartered in 1896, maintains a commitment to liberal studies, in tandem with rigorous professional preparation and active citizenship.