ASPiRE Student Program Deadlines

ARE YOU… 

Working on a thesis or major project? Planning to present at a conference or exhibition?

Then look to the ASPiRE Internal Grants Program as a funding resource!

The University Research and Creative Arts Committees would like to encourage students to consider applying for an ASPiRE Graduate or Undergraduate student grant. Funds can be utilized to assist in project costs such as travel or supplies. Please note: All student projects require the support of a faculty mentor or advisor.

Graduate Student Competition:
Research: October 20 (Winter and Spring projects); January 20 (Summer and Fall projects) Supports the discovery of new insights, theories, or application of research to solve problems within the discipline or in society.

Creative Arts: October 20 (Winter and Spring projects); January 20 (Summer and Fall projects) Supports the creation of original works of creative arts.

Hollis Fund:
The Joseph W. and Marcella S. Hollis Fund supports research in psychology. Proposals from any department are eligible, as long as the project is psychology based. (Graduate Students only)
Award Amount: $400
Deadlines: Fall: October 1 Spring: April 1 

Undergraduate Student Competition:
Research: November 10 (Winter and Spring projects); February 10 (Summer and Fall projects) Supports the discovery of new insights, theories, or application of research to solve problems within the discipline or in society.

Creative Arts: November 10 (Winter and Spring projects); February 10 (Summer and Fall projects) Supports the creation of original works of creative arts.

Student Travel Grants:
15th of the month prior to travel date
For professional presentations of papers and/or posters, performances, etc., at meetings, conference or competitions.

See our website for detailed guidelines and application forms. For questions regarding the Aspire Internal Grant Program, please contact the Aspire Program Manager at: aspire@bsu.edu.

2014 Student Symposium is Here!

It's that time of year again, registration for the 2014 Student Symposium is now open!

The Student Symposium at Ball State University offers students an opportunity to present their research and creative endeavors to the campus community. Presentations may be in the form of a poster, a creative work or a digital display. A new feature this year is the addition of moderated paper presentations.

All Ball State University students are eligible including those from Burris Laboratory and the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. Students from all disciplines are welcomed and encouraged to participate. Participating students must have engaged in academic activities either inside or outside the classroom and must have been advised by a Ball State faculty mentor.

The Student Symposium is a great way to gain practical and professional experience as well as learn about the broad range of opportunities available on campus. As with previous years, CASH PRIZES will also be awarded for the most outstanding poster presentations so don't miss out on your opportunity to be apart of the 2014 Student Symposium here at Ball State University.

Registration Details: 
* Deadline is Friday, February 3rd at 5 pm
* Registration is available online at www.bsu.edu/spo
Event Date: Tuesday, April 1st (1:30 pm - 5:00 pm)
Event Location: L.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom, 2nd Floor
Contact Information: Ms. Jessie Roark at SPO.BSU@gmail.com or (765) 285-5003

The Student Symposium at Ball State University social media outlets:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studentsymposiumatbsu
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BSU_SPO ‐‐ Hashtag #ssbsu14

Cohen Peace Travel Funds Available

There are funds available from the Benjamin V. Cohen Peace Fellowship Fund to support faculty members and graduate students that are presenting scholarly papers or serving on a symposium at professional conferences on topics directly connected to the mission of the Cohen Fund which "is to provide a lasting memorial to Benjamin Cohen by fostering new approaches to the problems of peacemaking."

Awards from the fund shall be used to memorialize Mr. Cohen's commitment to the attainment of world peace by focusing on the study and discussion of world issues that affect world peace.

Two awards of up to $500 are available for this academic year. Funds may only be used to offset travel expenses (e.g., airfare, lodging, local transportation, meals).

You can find the application linked with this opportunity at: http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/centersandinstitutes/peace/academicopps/cohenpeacetravelfund

Information about the Cohen Fellowship Program can be found at: http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/centersandinstitutes/peace/academicopps/cohenpeacefellowship

Please note that is ESSENTIAL that a submitted proposal clearly articulate how the presentation fits with the mission of the Cohen Fund. Proposals that are not consistent with this mission will not be reviewed. Please also note that the deadline to apply for these funds is March 1, 2013.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Larry Gerstein, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies
765-285-1622 peacecenter@bsu.edu

ASPiRE Spring Deadlines

Just a quick reminder about the upcoming spring semester ASPiRE deadlines.

• Junior Faculty Research Pre-Submission Deadline: January 16, 2013
• Junior Faculty Research: January 30, 2013

• Junior Faculty Creative Arts Pre-Submission Deadline: January 23, 2013
• Junior Faculty Creative Arts: February 6, 2013

• Undergraduate Research: January 25, 2013

• Undergraduate Creative Arts: February 1, 2013

• Hollis: April 1, 2013

• International Travel:
• May 1, 2013 (for travel dates occurring May 15, 2013-June 30, 2013)
• June 17, 2013 (for travel dates occurring July 1, 2013-August 14, 2013)

Additional Programs—
Reprint Support, Student Travel, and External Travel Support:
15th of the month, every month.

For more information, visit the ASPiRE Internal Grants page or call (765) 285-1600

Workshops: Finding Funding for Faculty/Finding Funding for Graduate Students

University Libraries and the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO) are combining forces to assist faculty and graduate students in finding funding sources for their research and creative activity agendas.  SPO’s Augusta Wray will give a tutorial on COS Pivot, the largest funding opportunity and researcher expertise database, as well as other resources SPO has to offer.  You will also learn about Web of
Science, a powerful database helpful in crafting necessary literature reviews for grant proposals. There are two sessions being offered, one for faculty and one for graduate students. Sign up for your session today to reserve a spot!

Questions about these sessions can be directed to Augusta Wray in the Sponsored Programs Office, 5-1600.

Finding Funding for Faculty

Date: Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Time: 10:00am - 11:30am

Location: BL 225

URL: http://bsu.libcal.com/event.php?id=229718


Finding Funding for Graduate Students

Date: Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Time: 3:00p – 4:30p

Location: BL 225

URL: http://bsu.libcal.com/event.php?id=229738

Reminder: Cohen Peace Fellow Grants

This is a reminder that the Benjamin V. Cohen Peace Fellowship proposals are due on November 1, 2012. The Fellowship provides support to conduct basic or applied research on topics related to peace.

For the 2012-13 academic year, Ball State faculty members and graduate students are eligible to apply.

• Faculty members: funds may be used for salary, supplies, expenses, and/or travel. Preference will be given to tenure track faculty members at Ball State University.
• Graduate students: funds may be used for assistantship stipend, supplies, expenses, and/or travel and may also include tuition remission during the academic time period of the fellowship.

Completed applications and all required materials are due to the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO) by 5:00 PM on November 1, 2012.

For more information on how to apply for the fellowship, visit the Cohen Peace Fellowship page, or contact the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, 285-1622, peacecenter@bsu.edu.

ASPiRE Deadlines Approaching: October & November

As a reminder, here are the ASPiRE deadlines for the months of October and November: 

• Graduate Research: October 8, 2012
• Graduate Creative Arts: October 15, 2012
• General Faculty Research: October 29, 2012
• General Faculty Creative Arts: November 5, 2012
• Undergraduate Research: November 12, 2012 (and January 25, 2013)
• Undergraduate Creative Arts: November 19, 2012 (and February 1, 2013)

Also, the Ad-Hoc Program, Reprint Support, and External Travel Support deadlines are the 15th (every month)

For more information, visit the ASPiRE Internal Grants page or call (765) 285-1600

Cohen Peace Fellows: Deadline November 1

The call to submit proposals for the Benjamin V. Cohen Peace Fellowship is now open. The Fellowship provides support to conduct basic or applied research on topics related to peace. For the 2012-13 academic year, Ball State faculty members AND graduate students are eligible to apply.

• Faculty Members: Funds may be used for salary, supplies, expenses, and/or travel. Preference will be given to tenure track faculty members at Ball State University. 
• Graduate Students: Funds may be used for assistantship stipend, supplies, expenses, and/or travel and may also include tuition remission during the academic time period of the fellowship. 

Completed applications and all required materials are due to the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO) by 5:00 PM on November 1, 2012. SPO will route the University Clearance Sheet and forward the completed applications to the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. The Cohen Proposal Evaluation Committee will then review the proposals. 

For more information on how to apply for the fellowship, visit the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies website or contact CPCS at 285-1622 or peacecenter@bsu.edu.

ASPiRE Student Grant Opportunities

Are you working on a thesis or major project? Planning to present at a conference? Then look to the Internal Grants Program as a funding resource!

ASPiRE Internal Grants supports aspects of student research and creative arts projects. Funds can be used to assist in project costs such as travel or supplies. Proposals are capped at $500 for Graduate students and $300 for Undergraduate Students.

Graduate Student Competition:

• Research applications due: October 8, 2012
• Creative Arts applications due: October 15, 2012
• Hollis Program applications due: October 1, 2012; April 1, 2013

 

Undergraduate Student Competition:

• Research applications due: November 12, 2012 and January 25, 2013
• Creative Arts applications due: November 19, 2012 and February 1, 2013

 

Student Travel Grants: applications due 15th of the month prior to travel date (for presentations of papers and/or posters, etc., at meetings or conferences)

For more information, visit the ASPiRE Student Programs page or call (765) 285-1600

2012 Student Symposium: Open to the Public!

You are cordially invited to attend: 

Seventeenth Annual Student Symposium 
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Second Floor, L.A. Pittenger Student Center

The Ball State University Student Symposium is an opportunity for students to present their creative and scholarly projects in an afternoon poster session. The Symposium also provides a platform for students to learn the ins and outs of creating a poster and to practice speaking professionally with those within and outside their discipline about the work.

Presentations of exceptional merit will be awarded a monetary prize, given in memory of former SPO staff members, Linda Keys, Jeffrey Litten, and Sandra Smith.

Lists of participating departments, faculty members, and students are available on the Sponsored Programs Office website: http://www.bsu.edu/spo.

Thank you, and we hope you can attend on March 27!

Save the Date!

17th Annual Student Symposium 

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 

L.A. Pittenger Student Center 

Guidelines and registration information available soon! 

Find the Sponsored Programs Office on: 

Facebook | Twitter | AIM 

Cohen Peace Fellowship Program: February 1

The call to submit proposals for the 2012 Benjamin V. Cohen Peace Fellowship. The Fellowship provides support to conduct basic or applied research on topics related to peace.

For the 2011-12 academic year, Ball State faculty members AND graduate students are eligible to apply!

For faculty members, funds may be used for salary, supplies, expenses, and/or travel. Preference will be given to tenure track faculty members at Ball State University.

For graduate students, funds may be used for assistantship stipend, supplies, expenses, and/or travel and may also include tuition remission during the academic time period of the fellowship.

Completed applications and all required materials are due to the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO) by 5:00 PM on February 1, 2012. SPO will route the University Clearance Sheet and forward the completed applications to the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. The Cohen Proposal Evaluation Committee will then review the proposals.

For more information on how to apply for the fellowship, visit the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies website.

Call for Proposals: Cohen Peace Fellowship

This is a call to submit proposals for the Benjamin V. Cohen Peace Fellowship. The Fellowship provides support to conduct basic or applied research on topics related to peace.

For the 2011-12 academic year, Ball State faculty members AND graduate students are eligible to apply.

For faculty members, funds may be used for salary, supplies, expenses, and/or travel. Preference will be given to tenure track faculty members at Ball State University.

For graduate students, funds may be used for assistantship stipend, supplies, expenses, and/or travel and may also include tuition remission during the academic time period of the fellowship.

Completed applications and all required materials are due to the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO) by 5:00 PM on September 19, 2011. SPO will route the University Clearance Sheet and forward the completed applications to the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. The Cohen Proposal Evaluation Committee will then review the proposals.

For more information on how to apply for the fellowship, visit the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies website or contact CPCS directly, 285-1622 [email].

BBC Fellows recruiting undergrad and graduate students for projects

Building Better Communities (BBC) is currently recruiting students for fall 2011 immersive learning projects. BBC Fellows, Emerging Media Fellows and Health Fellows projects allow you to work with an interdisciplinary team to help address a specific challenge for an Indiana business or organization. If selected for a project team, you will gain valuable technical skills, network with potential future employers, and attend professional development training at no cost to you. Selected students are also eligible to apply for a Fellows Leadership Award. Students with leadership experience or special skills in emerging media may apply for this award, which involves a $1,000 scholarship to assist with tuition. Most Fellows projects are available for 3-credit hours, and the program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students.

Now accepting applications for the following projects:

FALL SEMESTER 2011

• Camp Adventure Enviromental Learning Center
• Charter Schools: Patterns of Innovation - A New Architecture for a New Education
• Hillcroft Services: Awareness through Marketing
• Indiana Youth Institute: Positive Youth Development through Sport
• Old Stories Made New - The Life of George Rogers Clark
• Parkview Hospital: Planting Healthy Seeds
• Sustainability Report for Ball State University—Global Reporting Initiative
• Tuhey Pool - A Plan for the Future
• Visit Indiana

SPRING 2012

• Sustainability Report for Minnetrista Cultural Center

For more information about the projects listed above or to apply online, click here. Check the website often for updates and new projects!


Previously
BBC Fellows Now Recruiting for Fall

BBC Fellows now recruiting for Fall projects

Building Better Communities (BBC) is currently recruiting students for fall 2011 immersive learning projects. BBC Fellows, Emerging Media Fellows and Health Fellows projects allow you to work with an interdisciplinary team to help address a specific challenge for an Indiana business or organization. If selected for a project team, you will gain valuable technical skills, network with potential future employers, and attend professional development training at no cost to you. Selected students are also eligible to apply for a Fellows Leadership Award. Students with leadership experience or special skills in emerging media may apply for this award, which involves a $1,000 scholarship to assist with tuition.

We are now accepting applications for the following projects:

FALL SEMESTER 2011

• CASA - Volunteer Training and Recruitment Strategies for Court Appointed Special Advocates
• Charter Schools: Patterns of Innovation - A New Architecture for a New Education
• Hillcroft Services: Awareness through Marketing
• Indiana Youth Institute: Positive Youth Development through Sport
• Old Stories Made New - The Life of George Rogers Clark
• Parkview Hospital: Planting Healthy Seeds

For more information about the projects listed above or to apply online, click here. Most Fellows projects are available for 3-credit hours, and the program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students.

Uncovering the Past on the Wabash

“It’s great working with the community. They were all very interested in the project that we were doing, and it’s great to see the community come together and get involved in such important work.” - Stefan Woehlke, Graduate Student, Anthropology

It’s 1791 and the U.S. infantry are surrounded by opposing Native American forces near the banks of the Wabash River. Pinned down and outnumbered, soldiers are forced to fall back, surrendering the land to the Native American warriors.

Three years later, American forces are again forced to defend their territory, this time at a fort built near the Wabash. A fierce battle ensues that results in several casualties, but this time the U.S. soldiers are victorious, not only securing the fort, but gaining control of land that would become one of America’s earliest settlements.

Military assaults like the Battle on the Wabash (1791) and the Battle of Fort Recovery (1794) are often forgotten in the annals of history. However, a team of Ball State researchers have embarked on a journey to uncover the remnants of wars more than two centuries old.

Mark Hill

Awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service, Dr. Mark Hill, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Director of Applied Archaeology Laboratories, and his colleagues, Dr. Colleen Boyd and Dr. Mark Groover of the Department of Anthropology and Ms. Beth McCord formerly of the department, began working together on the development of the American Battlefield Protection Project (ABPP). Based in Ohio, the project’s primary goals are to: (a) pinpoint the exact location of the Battle on the Wabash and the Battle of Fort Recovery and (b) provide Ohio residents with the information needed to protect and preserve the surrounding sites of the battlefields.

With no set boundaries currently delineating the 97 acres of land on which both historical battles took place, extensive background research was first needed to understand the geographic layout of the area. To accomplish this task, student researchers from the department of history and anthropology were recruited to assist the ABPP team. Historic sources, including maps and texts derived from primary and secondary sources, were examined to identify key features and events associated with the two battles. Local historians and collectors were also interviewed to determine the location of previously identified battle-related artifacts. Newspaper articles and town records were reviewed to determine past construction and development activities within the battlefield area.

Additionally, Native American communities were also contacted for any documents and stories passed down orally that were related to the battles. However, acquiring this information can sometimes pose a challenge as history graduate student Eliot Reed points out, “It’s always difficult when you do Native American research. There are very few resources because you are usually using British and American sources.”

Once all the data from the written and oral resources were collected, they were used to help develop the research design. Using geographic information systems (GIS) digital mapping software, students were then able to better identify key battlefield features and terrain. Anthropology graduate student Stefan Woehlke explains: “I combine historical maps with modern maps of the battle area; sort of laying maps on top of one another to get an understanding of the battlefield layout. Some of what I’m trying to do is predict where the Native American Indian’s were and the paths they took when they were surrounding the American military.”

Now that the research phase is complete, students have focused their attention on excavating the battlefield sites for war remnants. Prior to entering the field, a team of approximately 10 students participated in a field school—an archaeological “boot camp”—to equip them with the training and knowledge needed to effectively locate and identify artifacts. “It’s a really good opportunity for students to get the opportunity to learn archeology,” said field school operator Dr. Mark Groover.




In addition to metal detector training, students are taught a number of other advanced techniques such as magnetometer, resistivity, and ground penetrating radar survey methods. “The research and fieldwork is great,” said Jessie Moore, a second year anthropology graduate student who is using this project for her thesis. “I want to be an archeological technician or archeologist, [but] without this I would have no clue how to do basic methodology in the field. A lot of positions out there require you to have that kind of experience.”

A majority of the excavations are being conducted on private property so landowner permission was crucial in beginning excavations. However, even more important was building relationships with the land owners. For this, Dr. Hill credits the assistance of Christine Keller, an archeologist on the team and native of the community being excavated. “Christine is our primary liaison with the community,” explains Hill. “She’s very active in the community and represents us well with the Fort Recovery Historical Society. Having these connections allows us to be more involved and to provide us the opportunity to really be a part of the community, rather than being an outsider.”

In addition, Hill values the partnerships formed with the Archeological Society of Ohio and Fort Recovery Museum that will be providing volunteers during the course of the project. Any artifacts found as a result of the field excavations will be donated to the museum to be on display for the public.

If you would like more information on this project contact Dr. Mark Hill or Christine Keller in the Department of Anthropology.

Recap of the 16th Annual Student Symposium

With more than 220 students in attendance at this year’s Annual Student Symposium, the record turnout marked a milestone in the event’s 16 year history. Originally started in 1996 with only 10 hand-selected projects, the event has grown to 166 projects—and counting. “The Sixteenth Annual Student Symposium was an extraordinarily successful event—both in terms of the numbers of students represented, and the variety and depth of projects,” said Kristi Koriath, Director at the Sponsored Programs Office.

Organized by the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO), the symposium provides a forum to showcase the accomplishments of Ball State University undergraduate and graduate students who have carried out research projects, creative endeavors, and other scholarly activities.

The event took place from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29 in the Student Center Ballroom and Cardinal Hall C. Due to the large number of entries, this was the first year that two venues were used to display projects. Entries were separated based on the student’s selection of “research” or “creative” on the registration form. “It’s only because the Ballroom was so crowded last year,” said Augusta Wray, one of the program’s event coordinators. “Last year we had 116 submissions and 175 students and this year we had 166 projects and 228 student participants. There just wasn’t enough room. It certainly wasn't the ideal situation, but next year we plan on having a larger venue."

Students from various fields of study, under the direct mentorship of faculty advisors, were given the opportunity to explore research interests and personal passions, such as the exploration of Benthic and Planktonic Forminiferal Biostratigraphy of the Middle Eocene Cockfield Formation of Eastern Mississippi (Jordan Edmunds), while for others it was simply examining The Visibility of International Students in the Midwest (Jenny Klucarich). Whatever the topic of interest, each project provided symposium attendees with ample opportunities to learn about both new and familiar subjects.

“Many of the projects were highly technical and very detailed,” said Koriath. “However, everyone with whom I spoke had a ready grasp of their project, but yet could make their work comprehensible to someone not necessarily in-the-know about the discipline.”

Submissions were separated into two distinct categories, Creative and Research, and were also evaluated by two separate sets of judges. Under the Creative Projects category, the judges were Jen Blackmer, Associate Professor of Theatre; Lori Byers, Associate Dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media; and Kecia McBride, Associate Dean Associate Professor of English.

Research Projects were judged by Derron Bishop, Associate Professor of Physiology, and Assistant Director of the Center for Medical Education; John Emert, Associate Dean of the Honors College, and Professor of Mathematical Sciences; Jeff Grigsby, Associate Dean of the College of Science and Humanities, and Professor of Geology; and Michael Holmes, Director of Insight and Research, and Professor of Communication Studies.

Prior to the start of the Symposium, judges spent 3.5 hours reviewing, evaluating and rating individual projects. Evaluation was based on the quality of poster design and informational content provided. At the close of the event, a formal awards ceremony was held in Cardinal Hall A where Provost Terry King congratulated the student participants for their hard work and contributions to their field. Following his remarks, Jeffry Grigsby, Professor of Geological Sciences and Associate Dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities, announced the winners under the Research category and Jennifer Blackmer, Associate Professor of Theatre, announced the winners under the Creative category.

The Student Symposium Awards were established in memory of Dr. Linda Keys, Mr. Jeffrey Litten, and Ms. Sandra Smith, all of whom served in Sponsored Programs Office. They were instrumental in developing the Symposium as the premier event for students to showcase their work and were avid supporters of student research endeavors.

For a full list of 2011 student participants click here. You may also view exclusive video interviews from some of this year’s student presenters by visiting the SPO YouTube Channel.

West Nile Fever Virus Surveillance Cooperative Program

“Most of the interns that we’ve had working with us have made a point of telling us how much they enjoyed working in the program, and that’s a good sign.”

–Michael Sinsko, Retired Senior Medical Entomologist, Indiana State Department of Health

While many students who participate in summer internships experience 10 weeks of scholarly pursuit indoors, others choose to experience the great outdoors. As members of the West Nile Fever Virus Surveillance Cooperative Program, students are spread across the state of Indiana setting up mosquito traps to assist the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) in collecting and identifying mosquitoes that may potentially harbor the West Nile Virus.

Melody Bernot

Robert Pinger

Initially led by Dr. Robert Pinger, retired Director of Ball State’s Public Health Entomology Laboratory and Professor of Physiology and Health Science, the program is now under the direct leadership of Dr. Melody Bernot, Associate Professor of Biology. Under her guidance, the program continues to provide an immersive internship opportunity for students while providing the citizens of Indiana an early warning system of any impending West Nile outbreaks.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been the primary source of funding over the last decade and has channeled these funds through the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to support field and laboratory surveillance activities. Prior to entering the field, students receive special training from medical entomologists and are assigned five territories to monitor within the state. Their primary duties include going out at dusk to set up light traps that attract the mosquitoes and coming back the following morning to collect any specimens received. Then, using a microscope, they identify the genus and species of the mosquitoes and record this data.

Once completed with this task, the mosquitoes are delivered to ISDH where scientists run further tests on them. If any strains of the West Nile Virus are found, public health warnings are issued for those counties where infected mosquitoes were located. “It’s a really cool opportunity,” said Bernot. “The students are well paid, and this gives them a great opportunity to work with the state as well as provide that really needed data in terms of surveillance for West Nile.”

Click to Enlarge

In addition to Ball State students, the program recruits students from other colleges and universities across Indiana to assist with the collection of mosquitoes. This collaboration enables students to cover more territory and sample more counties. Molly Clark, wildlife major and senior at Purdue University, is a veteran of the West Nile program and has spent the last three summers working as an intern. For her, this was the ideal chance to grow professionally as she notes “It’s a job with a lot of sampling and identifying, and I thought that would be a very beneficial opportunity for my future career.”

With the help of determined and dependable students, the West Nile Fever Virus Surveillance Cooperative Program continues to experience success and growth. “2010 was a big year for us,” Bernot said, referencing the more than 300 pools of mosquitoes that last year’s interns were able to locate in 54 counties.

The program’s website reports that in 2007, Indiana recorded 24 human cases of West Nile Fever. In 2008, there were only four human cases, and three cases in 2009; however, the virus was detected in mosquitoes from 41 counties in 2008 and 37 counties in 2009. In all of these cases, it was the internship program that was responsible for the findings.

“It was pretty cool to be involved in something so big,” said Jeremy Kinder, a first-year graduate student in the Department of Biology at Ball State. “It would come out on the news about surveillance of West Nile, and it was terrific being an integral part of that.”

If you are interested in becoming an intern with the West Nile Fever Virus Surveillance Cooperative Program or interested in learning more about the project, visit http://mjbernot.iweb.bsu.edu/index.htm or contact Dr. Melody Bernot.

Recap of the 2011 CCIM Student Kaleidoscope Symposium

This year’s CCIM Student Kaleidoscope Symposium was an immersive experience filled with the work of some of Ball State’s best and brightest student researchers. Held in the Letterman Building Lobby on February 24, the symposium highlighted the work of undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Communication, Information, and Media whose research focused on diverse ideas, cultures, and perspectives from both a national and international perspective.

In attendance were 17 presentation groups that each had a unique and creative twist in showcasing their work. In addition to visual displays, participants gave informal verbal descriptions of their research to numerous students, faculty, and staff who were also in attendance.

Three judges were present at the event and evaluated each presentation. This year’s judges were John Emert, Associate Dean of the Honors College; Patricia Lovett, Director of for the Multicultural Center; and Willow King Locke, Assistant Director of the Career Center. Criteria for judging included students’ ability to tie their research into the overall theme of diversity, the visual display of their work, and oral presentation of their data. Winning recipients were rewarded with a small cash prize.

Below is a full list of this year’s student projects. Winning presentations are indicated in parenthesis.

1. Daniel Cooper, Sarah Brannan, Kevin Grazioli, Jack Meyer, and Jeffery Holiday: "Ball State Goes to China" (winner)
2. Tayln Cox: "Japanese Religions: A Journey in Real and Virtual Worlds" (winner)
3. Paula Truex: "Falling Whistles" (winner)
4. Amy Yount & Megan Burkett: "Cross-Cultural Classroom" (winner)
5. Kait Buck, Allison Mast, Meagan Sigman, Ben Cronk, and Jordan Dimit: "Powering Innovation and Creativity through Diversity"
6. Lisa Cappa: "Culture Clash"
7. Ebony Chappel: "Personalization"
8. Jessica Choquette: "The Dismissal of Juarez Femicides: Media Framing Analysis"
9. Joe Clemons, Ebony Chappel, Brad Gray, and Krystal Highbaugh: "Fire Burning, Higher Learning: The Unexamined Story of the Black Student at Ball State University"
10. Seth Davis: “It’s (Queer) Barbie Bitch!: The Evolution of Nicki Minaj"
11. Kenzie Grob: "Building Tomorrow at Ball State University"
12. Brandon Loshe: "Multicultural Center"
13. Eric Marty & Taylor Ellis: "Finding Common Ground"
14. Amberly Pressler: "Beyond Hunger: Starving Minds of Central America"
15. Seth Tanner: "Black Man Can’t Shoot—The Malik Perry Story"
16. Ben Wagner, Kyle Binder, & Jarrod Jones: "Basketball Beyond Borders"
17. Lucia Bustabad Lagoa: "Innovation of Modern Languages and Classics Department"

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CCIM STUDENT INTERVIEWS

           

To see more student interviews, visit our SPO YouTube Channel.

Save the Date: 2011 Student Symposium - March 29, 2011

2011 Student Symposium

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

2nd Floor, L.A. Pittenger Student Center

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

The Annual Student Symposium is a chance for all Ball State students to present what they have learned through their research experiences to a larger audience. The Symposium provides a forum for students, faculty, and the community to discuss cutting edge research topics and to examine the connection between research and education.

The Symposium is a 2-hour poster session, and includes projects from all disciplines and encourages interdisciplinary discourse, allowing students to learn from each other about exciting research topics.

Guidelines and registration form will be available January 10, 2011 (first day of classes Spring semester). Updates will be posted through the BSU Communications Center, the Sponsored Programs Office website, and the SPO Newsletter Blog.

Questions? Contact the Sponsored Programs Office at spo.bsu@gmail.com or 765.285.1600