Patricia Tattersall (left) is congratulated by Lisa Freeman,
NIU executive vice president and provost
Members of the NIU campus community gathered April 19 to witness more than 200 undergraduate research, artistry and community engagement presentations by student leaders and scholars from a variety of disciplines.
With more than 900 people in attendance, the seventh annual Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day and the third annual Community Engagement Showcase became not only a symbol of the scholarship and service that NIU students are engaged in, but provided evidence of the tremendous impact of faculty mentors.
Research is time consuming and challenging on the part of the student and the faculty, but the commitment, support and guidance of NIU faculty is unmatched. Each year, students have an opportunity to submit a nomination for the Faculty Mentor of the Year Award.
This year’s recipient, Patricia Tattersall, associate professor in the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders, epitomizes the qualities of an effective and influential mentor.
“What has made Dr. Tattersall’s mentorship so valuable is her ability to provide the perfect amount of support so that I’m within reaching distance of my goals, but just far enough that I have to jump off on my own to reach them,” her nominator wrote. “She has challenged me, encouraged me, and gently corrected me as I’ve carried out my project. Dr. Tattersall’s advocacy has launched me into a rigorous season of professional development.”
URAD presenter I Younan An discusses
his project on the Khmer Rouge.
Other nominees included:
- Nicholas Barber, Biological Sciences
- Dennis Barsema, Business Management
- J.D. Bowers, History
- David Bridgett, Psychology
- Sherine Elsawa, Biology
- Elizabeth Gaillard, Biochemistry and Chemistry
- Angela Grippo, Psychology
- David Hedin, Physics
- Theodore Hogan, Technology
- Narayan Hosmane, Chemistry
- Holly Jones, Biological Science
- Karen Lichtman, Foreign Languages and Literatures
- Jon Miller, Biology
- Nina Mounts, Psychology
- Bradley Peters, English
- Ross Powell, Geology
- Robert Schneider, School of Theater and Dance
- Masih Shokrani, Allied Health and Communicative Disorders
- Katja Wiemer, Psychology
- Kevin Wu, Psychology
The relationship between students and their faculty mentors are life-changing, often for both the faculty and the student. NIU proudly celebrates the many faculty and staff across campus who mentor and support students encouraging growth and development and paving the way to student career success.
