St. Ben’s and St. John’s Win Prestigious Award

(KNSI) – The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University are crediting their Emerging Scholars Program as playing a big role in getting a major award.

The schools have received the Council on Undergraduate Research Campus-Wide Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments, or AURA. They say they encourage students of all backgrounds and abilities to get involved with research, which helps them develop a varied and deep portfolio. Both are factors in winning the AURA Award.

Roughly 30% of students are involved in undergraduate research while on campus. Council on Undergraduate Research President Lindsay Currie says, “Each awardee has demonstrated a diverse portfolio of undergraduate research programs, building a culture around undergraduate research in their overall curriculums that increases engagement and practice, and investing in student-faculty recognition. These institutions exemplified steadfast commitment, no matter their size.”

CSB/SJU Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholars Director Lindsey Gunnerson Gutsch exclaimed, “I am particularly grateful that the Emerging Scholars Program, an initiative designed by myself, Dr. Kate Bohn-Gettler and Dr. Mary Stenson, has been uplifted as an exemplary research program in the United States. Thank you to the faculty mentors and students who have been part of our cohorts. Recognition from the Council of Undergraduate Research that CSB and SJU embodies so many of CUR’s Characteristics of Excellence in Undergraduate Research is invaluable.

“I hope that receiving this award says to our current students and faculty in our scholarly community that we immensely value the work you do.”

The University of Florida and Worchester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts were the only other schools selected.

___