St. Olaf TRiO McNair Scholars at the Capitol

February 19^th, 2009

For her summer research project, St. Olaf TRiO McNair Scholar, Whitney White, examined Prairie Island Dakota Oral History by interviewing tribal elders and comparing similarities and differences. Jonathan Hernandez studied the validity and reliability of a curriculum-based measurement technique known as passage copying. This strategy may ultimately be used to provide teachers with data to help develop student's writing skills.

Theirs were among the projects that were showcased at the 6th Annual Minnesota Private Colleges: Scholars at the Capitol event in the rotunda on February 19th, 2009. Twenty-six students from Minnesota's private colleges and universities displayed their posters and answered questions from legislators and others who stopped by during this annual event. The purpose of the poster session was to publicize and celebrate the achievements of exceptional undergraduate students who attend Minnesota's Private Colleges.

Jonathan's faculty mentor, Dr. Heather Campbell, and Whitney White's faculty mentor, Dr. Carolyn Anderson, guided the scholars’ summer research experiences and were both in attendance to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of their TRiO McNair Scholar. The Lieutenant Governor, Carol Molnau, was present and spent time with the scholars at the research symposium learning about their literature reviews,

methods, and results.