Real-Life Research Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) challenges students with complex projects in their field of study, lighting the way for their future. By Christopher Hassay ’17
U
Undergraduate research can produce powerful outcomes for students, providing them with experience in the research they might do as scientists or graduate students in their chosen disciplines. It is an opportunity to explore exciting projects in their fields and to embark on a challenge that can help define their experiences as college students. “We are starting to understand undergraduate research as a higher-impact experience—its value to a student’s thinking skills, career-readiness skills, and graduate preparedness,” says Sarah Johnson, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience and current director of the SOAR program. SOAR was launched in 1998 through the efforts of Carl Salter, professor of chemistry, and Clif Kussmaul, associate professor of computer science, who understood the value of undergraduate research. A summer program, it resembles an internship in that students receive stipends for their work. Across its history, 493 students from all programs have completed 433 research projects in collaboration with 114 faculty advisors.
Photo by John Kish IV
Melissa Zirkel ’13 reviews 18th century handwritten music compositions with Gwyn Michel from the Moravian Music Foundation.
During the summer of 1998, a gift from Morris and Karen Bader combined with funds from the university provided stipends for six students. Based on the success of this pilot program, subsequent funding was established through the university budget. In 2006, Priscilla Payne Hurd established the Ervin J. Rokke Endowment for Student-Faculty Research to honor Dr. Rokke’s service to Moravian as president from 1997 to 2006. Combined with continued contributions from the university, this endowment allowed SOAR to grow to support 20 to 25 students per summer. The endowment covers only a portion of the costs. Moravian University has subsidized the program to cover additional expenses, but no funding exists to expand and enhance the program. In this anniversary year, we celebrate the stories of four alumna whose experiences with SOAR continue to impact their lives today. Fall 2022 Moravian University Magazine 17