Nine undergraduates selected for
prestigious research scholar group

As Texas A&M 2010-11 Undergraduate Research Scholars , eight environmental design students and one construction science student are researching subjects ranging from successful nonprofit logo designs to using video games to enhance the design process.

The research scholars program assists students in preparing an undergraduate thesis and includes a $300 award, special seminars and access to experts and other mentoring services.

The student scholars also earn valuable experience for graduate or professional school, gain an edge in competition for national fellowships and are provided opportunities to present their work as authors to the research community.

The 2010-11 College of Architecture Undergraduate Research Scholars and their research topics, Bachelor of Environmental Design students unless noted, are:

• Ronald Eckels, "The Formulation of New Architectural Theory and Discourse as it Pertains to the Territory of the U.S.-Mexico Border";
• Chris Gassaway, "New Diagrams and Techniques of Fabrication in Architecture";
• Nicholas Harrison, Bachelor of Construction Science major, "Applying Adjudication as an Alternate Dispute Resolution technique to the U.S. Construction Industry";
• Lori Lampe, "Successful Logo Design and Nonprofit Organizations";
• Jordan Mason, "Experiential Design: The Validity of Baroque";
• Ross McClendon, "Management Information Systems and the Benefits for Non-Profit Housing Agencies";
• Catherine Minor, "Ballet Costume Design for the New Millennium";
• Marjorie Pirics, "Qualities that Define a Well-designed Product: Characteristics of Design that Make a Product More Appealing to the General Consumer Public", and
• Colton Spross, "Using a Video Game as Part of the Architectural Design Cycle".

To qualify, students must have completed at least 60 hours of undergraduate coursework, 24 of them at Texas A&M, have a 3.0 GPR or higher, submit a proposal of approximately 1000 words, and secure the approval of their department head.

Undergraduate research scholars are required to partner with an Aggie faculty member who is conducting research to serve as their adviser, participate in a research project for a designated length of time, submit a manuscript of the study's results in a format suitable for publication in a professional research or scholarly periodical, and present the results in a public forum.

- Posted: Nov. 23, 2010 -

Contact:   Phillip Rollfing, prollfing@archone.tamu.edu or 979.458.0442.