Increased funding for research expands opportunities for students

Senior ceramics major Erica Passage is just one student who will benefit from increased support for undergraduate research through CMU 2010’s support of research and creative activity.

CMU 2010 is funding $68,200 for increased instructional support for student-centered research during FY06, FY07, and FY08 – specifically for the Undergraduate Summer Scholars Program and for the Undergraduate and Graduate Research and Presentation and Publication programs.

As a result, the number of CMU’s summer scholars for 2006 is up to 23 from 17 last year.
“Hopefully, this will translate into more student publications and juried performances or shows over the next few years,” said psychology professor Gary Dunbar, who co-chairs the Priority III committee with Jim Hageman, vice provost for research and the dean of graduate studies.

Through the Summer Scholars program, Passage, an undergraduate student, will spend five weeks studying and making ceramics in the northern and southern regions of China.
“I think it’s totally great. It’s nice CMU does this so we can go out and study on our own and experience something different,” Passage said. “Taking ceramics at CMU has been awesome because I’ve gotten the chance to work with a whole slew of professors. Margaret Ware, in particular, has been a really good professor for me.”

Passage first heard about the China ceramics program, hosted by West Virginia University, from a visiting professor. He showed them a slide show of his experiences and gave them a perspective on why China is the birthplace of porcelain, the hard ceramic that Passage specializes in.

“I like the process of ceramics. You make a piece and fire it and maybe you don’t like it, so you have to start over. It’s not predictable, and that’s what I like most about it,” Passage said.
After graduation Passage plans to teach secondary art education and, eventually, become self-supporting through her art.

Senior Erica Passage is one of the 23 summer scholars who will benefit from CMU 2010 funding for increased instructional support for student-centered research.