Dear Students,
As a kid, I remember going to the McDonald Observatory with my dad, an astronomer, and staring with amazement into the very dark night sky. That curiosity never vanished, and I found my world in research. Zora Neale Hurston famously said, "Research is formalized curiosity." That quote resonates with me — and, I suspect, it rings true for many of you too. Being in higher education affords us the great privilege of engaging in a world where we get to pursue our curiosity and turn it into a career, hopefully for the betterment of humankind.
Commonly, when people think of research they think of a wet lab, but it is so much broader than that. Our textiles majors engage in fiber-based materials research and fashion research and design. Our math majors prove new theorems and model scientific problems using the beautiful language of mathematics. In fact, any time you try something, and either it doesn't work or you want to improve it, you engage in research.
While many students on campus conduct research, the new Distinction in Research is designed to recognize graduating seniors in this college who have particular research accomplishments from their years in CNS, such as winning an award at the Undergraduate Research Forum or publishing in a research journal.
I encourage you to continue following your curiosity and using your time on the Forty Acres to formalize that curiosity through research.
Best,
Dr. Vanden Bout
Joke: A programmer is at work when her husband calls and has her to go to the store. He says they need a gallon of milk, and if they have fresh eggs, buy a dozen. She comes home with 12 gallons of milk.
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