Class of 2009

Class of 2009

McNair Scholar	Mentor	Title of Research
Jose Garcia	Scott Frish	How Effective is American Advertising in the Hispanic Community and What Should be Changed Depending on the Target Audience Ethnicity?
Jody Gilchrest	Dr. Bonnie Pendleton	Effects of Photoperiod on Fitness of Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum, Biotypes E and I on Sorghum
Lauren Johnson	Collette Loftin	Barriers to Minority Nursing
Cynthia Ortega	Lorna Strong	The Effects of Strength Training in Muscular Endurance and Flexibility of Hispanic Women Ages Thirty to Sixty
Joseph Peterson	Dr. Nick Gerlich	Social Networking: The Effect on GPA
Paloma Vargas	Dr. Enyonam Osei-Hwere	Perceptions of Women Professional Wrestlers in Mass Media

	Jose Garcia Major(s): Graphic Design Classification in Fall 2009: Junior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2011 Mentor: Scott Frish Career Aspirations: A desire to work for a record company by designing CD covers or by doing illustrations for a magazine company Extra-Curricular Interests: Alpha Tau Omega, .C.A.M.P.O.S, .psd (Professional Student Designers) How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? Being a McNair Scholar has given me an opportunity to see the amount of work that has to be done when doing research. By seeing this, I feel more confident in my daily academics because with my education I can easily attack it. It also has taught me the necessary steps in trying to get into grad school. Overall, it was a great experience and I’m glad that I got the opportunity to do it.
	Jody Gilchrest Major(s): Plant Soil and Environmental Science Classification in Fall 2009: Junior Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2010 Mentor: Dr. Bonnie B. Pendleton, Ph.D Conferences Attended and/or Publications: Invitational and student competition oral presentations at the 2009 Great Plains Sorghum Conference and Field Day in conjunction with the 27th Sorghum Research and Utilization Conference. Won 1st place president prize in PIE section with a poster presentation at the National Entomology Society Association, ESA, meetings in Indianapolis, Indiana. Virtual poster presentation in April 2010 at the Southwest Branch meetings of the ESA Career Aspirations: I plan on attending graduate school at WTAMU and pursuing an M.S. in plant, soil, and environmental science. Extra-Curricular Interests: Rotoracts How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? The McNair Scholar program provided much need assistance to prepare me for graduate school. Study tip for the GRE with two practice tests and assistance with how to research and write a complete thesis. Everyone in the office was more than available to help with anything, including poster, research, and proofreading.
	Lauren Johnson Major(s): Nursing Classification in Fall 2008: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2010 Mentor: Collette Loftin, RN, MSN Conferences Attended and/or Publications: 12th Annual University of North Texas McNair Scholars, West Texas A&M University Research Conference Career Aspirations: I aspire to become a Registered Nurse. I want to attend graduate school to become an FNP- Family Nurse Practitioner. After completing my McNair research I thought that maybe I should teach, but who knows what the future holds. Extra-Curricular Interests: I chartered the WTAMU NAACP Chapter in 2008 and CODA- Coalition of Diverse Alliances in 2009. I am a Resident Assistant at Jarrett HalI. I am a member of the WT NAACP, Black Woman’s Association, and WT Nursing Student Association. The National Society of Leadership and Success Member How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? McNair has broadened my horizons in the world of research and it has been very beneficial to me in the healthcare field. I now know the importance of evidence-based research and how staying up to date with the latest research will make me a better student and a better nurse.
	Cynthia Ortega Major(s): Sports Exercise Science Classification in Fall 2009: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: Dec. 2010 Mentor: Lorna Strong, M.S., A.T.C., L.A.T Conferences Attended and/or Publications: 12th Annual University of North Texas McNair Scholars Conference, West Texas A&M University Research Conference How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? I would like to pursue a career in nutrition and research on childhood obesity. Growing up I struggled with my weight and am still learning to manage it. The knowledge I have received at WT inspires me to learn more and help others with the same struggles as me.
	Joseph Peterson Major(s): Business Management Classification in Fall 2009: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2010 Mentor: Dr. Nicholas Gerlich Conferences Attended and/or Publications: 12th Annual University of Texas McNair Scholars Conference, West Texas A&M University Research Conference Career Aspirations: My goal is to become the CEO of a major corporation in America. Extra-Curricular Interests: President’s Ambassador, SIFE, Black Men’s Association, NAACP, FCA, Football, Peer Leader Intern How has being a McNair Scholar enhanced your academic experience? The McNair Scholar Program has played a significant role in preparing me for graduate school. I benefited from training for the GMAT, how-to-training, and mentorship while conducting research, and presenting the results of my research at national conferences. Upon arrival at graduate school I will use the tools and resources I have gained by being a McNair scholar to be successful in my graduate-level studies. I am very appreciative of everything the McNair scholar program has done for me.
	Paloma Vargas Major(s): Mass Communications Classification: Senior Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2010 Mentor: Dr. Enyonam Osei-Hwere Title of Research: Perceptions of Women Professional Wrestlers in Mass Media