Fifteen West Virginia University students have been admitted into the prestigious McNair Scholars Program.
Named after astronaut Ronald E. McNair, who died aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986, the program provides academic and research experiences that prepare WVU students for graduate education.
WVU ’s newest group of McNair Scholars are: LaNelle Barber, a communication major from Pittsburgh; James Greene, a journalism major from Beckley; Tony Huang, a mechanical engineering major from Kingwood; Deana Klein, a horticulture major from Reedsville; Michelle Mantooth, a psychology major from Bridgeport; Greta Martin, a social work major from Core; Katrina McCoy, a psychology major from Alderson; Christopher Monk, a psychology major from Kenna; Brittany Morgan, a psychology major from Princeton, W. Va.; Wayan Rata, a visual arts (sculpture) major from Charles Town; Tenishia Rhodes, a secondary education/Spanish major from Parkersburg; Linda Riddle, a visual arts (sculpture) major from Morgantown; Amy Ritterbusch, an international studies/Spanish major from Canton Center, Conn.; Jeremiah Samples, a political science/history major from Charleston; and Natalie Wesley, a business major from Cross Lanes.
Dr. Betty Mei, WVU ’s McNair Scholars Program coordinator, said research is the heart of the program. Scholars participate in a six-week summer internship, which runs from May 17 to June 24, and conduct a research project of their own design under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
In addition, they will take classes in research methodology and writing, participate in cultural events and visit several Washington, D.C., graduate schools.
The McNair Scholars Program helps to prepare low-income, first-generation and underrepresented college students to enter graduate school. WVU receives funding for up to 20 scholars per year.
The program is open to full-time WVU students who have completed their sophomore year of study and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
For more information, visit the WVU McNair Scholars Program on the Web athttp://www.wvu.edu/~mcnair.