Students present research at McNair-Tafoya symposium
ALPINE After numerous months of research, students involved in The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program presented their findings during the McNair-Tafoya Symposium, held recently at Sul Ross State University.
Four students were selected to give presentations while other students were asked to create posters explaining their projects. Jo Gina Gallego, Balmorhea; Alonzo Hernandez, Presidio; Jo Anna Alvidrez, El Paso; and Shanna Elmore, Marfa, were chosen to present their projects in a detailed format.
Gallego's project was entitled "Survey of Ecto-Parasites in Small Mammals from Nicaragua," in which she examined 56 small animals, and found 388 different parasites.
.While conducting her research, Gallego was mentored by Chris Ritzi, department chair and associate professor of biology.
Hernandez presented his project titled Religion vs. Spirituality: in 3 Novels, comparing three novels by writer Benito Perez Galdos. Hernandez analyzed the novels dealing with both religion and spirituality and found the difference in definition of the words.
Originally, Hernandez was mentored by the late Jesus Tafoya and was introduced by Tafoya's good friend Jim Case, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
Alvidrez discussed the attempt to close Sul Ross in 1986. During her presentation, Alvidrez explained that the economic situation at that time was part of the reason Sul Ross was targeted to be closed. She also showed examples of memos released at the time, and explained their severity.
Using five criteria used for closing a university, Sul Ross only met one and was able to stay open. She also explained possible proposed mergers with Texas Tech University and Angelo State University, along with budget cuts that were made to keep Sul Ross open.
Concluding the symposium was Elmore's presentation on "Gender Roles in the Media: Are Male and Female Co-Stars Treated Equally in Primetime Television."
During her presentation, she explained her method of research and why she chose to examine "X-Files."
The science fiction television series was popular during the mid to late 1990s and starred David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as agents working for the FBI investigating cases involving paranormal phenomena.
Esther Rumsey was Elmore's mentor during the project.
A number of other students were asked to present their projects on posters that were on display in the University Center Foyer during the symposium.
The McNair Program, named after Ronald E. McNair, the first African American astronaut, is designed to assist low income, first generation, and/or under represented students earn doctoral degrees.
The program assists students to prepare for and pass the GRE, LSAT and MCAT tests, as well as apply for doctoral programs at other institutions. The McNair program also sponsors travel to graduate fairs and symposiums, along with periodic workshops on how to find and secure graduate funding for involved students.
Each student will receive free tuition, room and board and a stipend for summer research. Each student is mentored by a faculty member appointed depending on field of choice. Recipients will receive three hours of college credit and will engage in an intense research project in their field of interest.
For more information the McNair Program, callMary Bennett, McNair Program director, 432-837-8478 or mbennett@sulross.edu.
