McNair Scholar News
Summer 2006

McNair Scholars Program

Concord University

Student Center Conference Room E

Website: http://students.concord.edu/mcnair      

Phone: (304) 384-6019       Fax: (304) 384-5941

 

A TRIO Program Fully Funded by the U.S. Department of Education ($240,043)

What Can Doug Do for You? 

Doug Snuffer joined the Concord McNair Staff as a full-time Research Assistant II in December 2005.  He is available to assist Scholars with their research and any academic or personal difficulties. 

So what exactly can Doug do for you (the McNair Scholar)?

1)     Explain the research process.

2)     Introduce you to SPSS.

3)     Help you identify/ investigate career opportunities in your field.

4)     Help you work through life’s stressors.

5)     Guide you through the grad school selection and application process.

Mr. Snuffer can be reached at 384-5942 or dsnuffer@concord.edu.

Graduates on the Move…

•  Sherrie Bowman – accepted to Ohio State University's Ph.D. program in Chemistry

•  James Britt – accepted to West Virginia University's M.P.A. program in Accounting

•  Jesse Farmer – accepted to Virginia Tech's Ph.D. program in Mechanical Engineering

•  Samantha Lane – accepted to West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

•  Shelia Robinett – accepted to Marshall University's M.A. program in Psychology

 Concord McNair Reaches Milestone

Angela Frye-Keaton and Rebecca Ryan recently became the first two alumni in the history of the McNair Scholars Program at Concord to earn Ph.D.’s. 

Since graduating from Concord in 1999, Dr. Keaton completed a master's degree from Marshall University and most recently her Ph.D. in History from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in May 2006.  Her dissertation, "Unholstered and Unquestioned:  The Rise of Post-World War II American Gun Cultures" has received a number of accolades including the Yates Dissertation Fellow, Phi Alpha Theta John Pine, and Charles O. Jackson Awards. 

Rebecca Ryan entered West Virginia University's doctoral program in Lifespan Developmental Psychology immediately following graduation from Concord in 2002.  Since earning her Ph.D. in May, she has accepted a faculty position at Georgia Southern University.

Congratulations to Drs. Keaton and Ryan! 

Spring 2006 McNair Symposium

More than 50 students, faculty, and staff attended the wildly successful 17th Biannual McNair Scholars Symposium at Concord in April.  A record 12 oral presentations and four posters made for one of the most interesting McNair symposia to date!

Kudos to all the presenters and their Mentors! 

McNair Credit Hours

Beginning Summer 2006, Scholars interested in earning academic credit for their McNair research will receive 9 hours of electives through the Concord McNair Scholars Program.

Summer II 2006 (McNair Provides Tuition Waivers)

McNair 497 McNair Workshops – 3 hours

McNair 498 McNair Scholars Research – 3 hours

Fall 2006

McNair 499 McNair Scholars Research – 3 hours

Scholars receive I's in McNair courses until they complete program requirements.  Upon completion grades are assigned.

What If I Don’t Get Into Grad School?

  1. Don't despair!  The grad school application process is highly competitive   Everyone doesn't get in the first time!
  2. Find out how to improve your application.  Contact the department and your McNair Mentor to request feedback.
  3. Find employment in your field.
  4. Consider retaking the GRE.
  5. Work with a Counselor to confirm your academic/career aspirations.  Take advantage of career and skill inventories.  Make sure the career path you've chosen complements your skill set.
  6. Re-apply! 
  7. Consider taking graduate courses as a non-degree seeker to get a foot in the door.
  8. Use McNair resources to improve your odds!