McNair Day to highlight scholars’ achievements

McNair Day to highlight scholars’ achievementsApril 19, 2005Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is hosting its annual McNair Day Research Symposium, Thursday, April 21, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in Rooms 304 B-C of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center. McNair Day includes 20-minute student presentations, followed by a recognition/induction banquet, for current and new scholars. The occasion was named McNair Day in the spirit of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, one of seven U.S.S. Challenger space shuttle crewmembers killed 1986. At the age of 26, McNair earned a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In honor of his achievements, the United States Congress and the McNair family created the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program.

“McNair Day is a time to recognize these students’ outstanding academic achievements, including graduation and acceptance to graduate school,” says Anthony E. Robinson, director.

The McNair Program at Syracuse University was launched in 1998 to increase the number of students who earn doctoral degrees. It is currently one of 179 programs across the U.S., all of which are funded through federal grants. The SU program enrolls 20 students each year who are paired with research faculty mentors throughout their McNair experience. Students develop a research proposal through participating in a six-week summer seminar and then present their yearlong research study on McNair Day.

For more information about the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at Syracuse University, call (315) 443-2622 or visit http://www.mcnair.syr.edu .