About the URS

URS History CLICK HERE to View Old Site

The URS has been promoting undergraduate research annually since 2002, when a Golden Key International Honour Society member, Kenneth Gunn, proposed that Golden Key sponsor an event to help students prepare for professional life. The Golden Key advisor, Kathryn Walterscheid, encouraged the group and helped them with the various steps associated with planning a conference and assessing applications. With the endorsement of the dean of the Pierre Laclede Honors College, Robert Bliss, and the associate dean, Nancy Gleason, the Golden Key members hosted the first URS. The event has grown every year as the URS Committee added oral presentations, free printed posters, workshops to teach effective preparation of abstracts and posters, and more impressive snacks. Drawing participants from all colleges of the university and financial support from several departments, the URS gives undergraduates the opportunity to learn the workings of academic conferences and how to present their ideas more effectively. Following the generous example of Sigma Xi (The Scientific Research society), some departments award prizes for outstanding research. Each year, the URS team of volunteers strives to execute an exciting and rewarding academic conference for undergraduates. We continue to be amazed by the creativity of the participants and the quality of their research. Please take a moment to review the highlights from our previous events.