Undergraduate Scholars Program

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The Undergraduate Scholars Program (USP) is one of the largest multidisciplinary undergraduate research programs at MSU. We are here to help undergraduate students in all disciplines pursue research, scholarship, and creative projects.

The Undergraduate Scholars Program (USP) facilitates, supports, and promotes undergraduate research and scholarship by providing funding and logistical support directly to students.

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Visualizing Native America: Examining Depictions of Nativeness in Montana Institutional Spaces
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Russette, Kristie
Museums, information centers, and monuments all serve as institutions that shape public memory. In Montana, a state with a large Native American population, these institutions contribute to the way that Native groups are remembered and perceived by the public. As pedagogical spaces, Montana institutions project a specific body of images that signals to viewers how to think about Native American culture. The current study extends the dialogue concerning the representation of Native American/indigenous peoples in various institutions and its impact on the dominant public, especially non-native audiences.
Computer Education in Sanambele, Mali
(2013-03) Mosdal, Tessa; Rolph, Bronwyn; Blaskovich, Christie; Hinckley, Samantha; Giusti, Ada
The village of Sanambele, Mali currently possesses a laptop but the villagers do not know how to operate a computer. Those in Sanambele have requested help with learning how to use their computer. I developed a basic user manual for Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint which are three programs that I believe the teachers, students and other villagers will find the most useful. An English and translated French version of the manuals will be taken to the village and left with the community for further reference. The manuals are also going to be used by the members of the Altas Cultural Foundation (ACF) in Zawiya Ahansal, Morocco. I am traveling to Morocco in March to conduct computer education workshops for the ACF members. A copy of the manuals will be left with them for additional guidance. Providing manuals for both the communities in Mali and in Morocco will prevent the members of the community from losing the knowledge they will have received. I hope I will have offered these people a lasting method of improving their education.
My Skeletons Prefer the Kitchen
(2013-03) Thornton, Jordan; Mast, Sara
I will be creating a painting installation that, using primarily acrylic paint and found cabinet doors, was inspired by the following quote from Howard Thurman: “Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Conceptually, the project has diverged from the quote and become a series of “portraits” of what would be inside my cabinet or the cabinet of someone I know that inspired me. I will be further researching how this connects to Thurman's quote as well as creating a specific artist's statement that gives the viewer insight on how to interact and interpret the installation. Visually, I will be collecting found cabinet doors, drawers, etc. to paint on and creating imagery using acrylic as well as pages from my sketchbooks, letters, photos, and anything that is important to visualizing the concept. The cabinets will be installed in a cluster around a corner of a room. The doors will open. Images, whether paint or collage, will be on both sides. Across the room from the cabinets will be seating and a table of some sort with a handmade book that contains process imagery, research information, or anything important to the concept. The furniture will be painted as a continuation of the cabinets. The installation will be interactive. The audience will be encouraged to open the doors and flip through the book.
The Business of Art
(2013-03) Rodgers, Robert; Adams, Dean
It has become interesting to me to see paintings and other works of art in a professional setting, whether it is a restaurant, office, or some other work place not used specifically for displaying art. I have often wondered what the process is for displaying work in such a setting. Can an artist, such as myself, work with a business to both accommodate their needs for a specific aesthetic that they have built into their workplace and maintain the artist’s integrity of work? The thought has often crossed my mind that I could easily create an image that would be pleasing to a number of businesses, but in creating this work I would be completely abandoning my own personal style. My proposed solution to this problem is that I work with a business in town to develop a series of creative works that can successfully contribute to said business while maintaining my personal flair. I believe that many artists succumb to the pressure of professional success and sacrifice their creativity to sell work. My hope for this project is to show that I can retain my identity while still being commercially viable.
Wild Clay Research
(2013-03) Geil, Joe; Adams, Dean
My USP experience allowed me to successfully prospect for and test local clay materials for use in ceramic art. I used clays from Beaverhead, Gallatin, and Fergus counties. The majority of these clays mature at earthenware temperatures and one in particular has potential for use as a studio clay body. All of the clays being tested can be developed in to unique surface applications on high-fire ceramic art. I have fabricated and tested a burner system using waste vegetable oil as a fuel source. After three firings, the oil system has been a successful supplement to our wood fired kiln. I plan to build more efficient burners and alter the firing process to realize the full potential of this fuel source. Through various events, I have been able to connect with colleagues and the general public to discuss my research of these materials and process. Collaborating with Nick Danielson, we will provide informational booklets at NCECA at the end of this month. With my mentor, Dean Adams, we were able to send the clay samples to a testing lab for analysis which I will have for archiving and dissemination by the end of March.
Wild Clay Research
(2013-03) Danielson, Nicholas; Adams, Dean
My USP provided me the opportunity for exploration and risk taking in my ceramic studies. This project helped set the foundation for years of future research and production in my studio practice. I gathered and tested eight different native and noxious plant materials from the Gallatin Valley for testing as glaze surfaces for ceramic objects. Those materials are: Camelina straw (Brassicaceae), Horsetail Grass (Equisetum hymale), Sedge (Cyperaceae), Sage Brush (Artemisia var.), St. John’s Wort (Hypericaceae), Canada Thistle (Asteraceae), Wheat straw (Triticum), and Pine, Fir, and Cottonwood ash. I collected each sample from land throughout Gallatin County and burned each specimen to accumulate approximately 5,000 grams of ash from each plant. I washed and screened each ash sample and applied them to ceramic test tiles and pots. Each sample was tested in oxidation, reduction, and salt/soda kilns at cone 10, or 2350 Fahrenheit, on two different clay bodies. The clays represent both a high iron body and white porcelain clay. Finally, I photographically documented each test for archival and dissemination. Furthermore, my ceramic practice will continuously evolve from my research. I will address the results and acclimate the finding to my ceramic ware.

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