Summer research program expands

This summer Norwich University funded more than 25 research projects which were undertaken by both faculty and students, according to the director of the student research program.

Since its start in 2002, the summer research program has grown a tremendous amount. There were a staggering number of students funded for projects this summer in comparison to past years, according to Professor David Westerman, who is the director of the student research program.

"We funded a significantly higher number; 50 percent more then we ever had in the past," Westerman said.

The increased funding is because there has been a dramatic increase of interest in the program.

There were only "two students in 2003 and I think we had 20-25 students this summer. It's been great to see it grow," Westerman said.

The program has been able to grow so much in only a few years because of increased financial support.

 "The president has been very supportive and went out to find new funds," Westerman said. "He sees student research as a valuable part of their education."

Funds for these research projects come from many different places.

"Norwich University and EPSCOR stream project through the Vermont government (covered) most of my funding," said Schae A. Martin, 20, a sophomore geology major from Baltimore, Md.

Addie Armstrong, a 20-year-old senior mathematics major from Campton, N.H., got all of her summer research project funded by "Norwich University with the Weintz Research Fellows."

However, students in the future are encouraged to try and "find their own grants and bring them to Norwich," Westerman said.

Funding is such a huge part of this program because students travel all over the globe doing these projects with their professors. These projects would not be affordable to students without the school's support.

"Dan Pellegrini, who worked with me on a project in Alba (Italy), did a summer research project that was out of the country," Westerman said.

Professor Seth H. Frisbie, a professor of chemistry, and one of his students also went out of the country to Bangladesh for the summer research project that they were working on together.

When professors and students have the opportunity to do such extensive research and travel the world together, it helps create a much closer teacher-student relationship.  

"It certainly makes a difference with the ones you actually work with," Westerman said. "It changes the relationship with all your students because the others students are aware. It changes the way they are with you (because) they are more open with you."

The summer research was different than research students do for classes. These students learned information that no one knew anything about yet, and it was an exciting experience to be part of this new acquisition of knowledge.  

"The best part of the whole experience would be doing my own research, coming up with my questions and actually saying this is my work," Martin said.

Through the experience of participating in a summer research project, students learned that there is a lot information out there to be discovered.

"Many students without exposure to research go through undergrad subconsciously thinking that everything is already known," Westerman said. After conducting research, students realize just how much there is to be discovered.

The summer research program would not be the same without the support from the Norwich alumni.

"It is important that the students understand that alumni support is the way this works," Westerman said. "Whether it's support by providing fellowships, opportunities in their companies or providing funding."

Westerman and the student research committee hope that students who were able to participate in the program during their time here will remember what a positive experience summer research was for them, and give back to the school when they are alums so that the program can continue.

"They are going to be alumni someday," Westerman said. "They need to understand that this is a gift. We're talking about $150,000 being dropped on the program by the people who came here before them. We appreciate and are dependent upon alumni support."

The hope is that the program will continue to grow.

"I think very successful, but I think it's been very successful, certainly much bigger this summer," said Westerman.