Campus Connection

Conference expected to attract about 3,500 participants

UW-La Crosse was again chosen to host the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The conference, April 9-11, 2015, is anticipated to be the largest UW-L has ever hosted and will include more than 3,000 presentations on topics from anthropology to zoology, as well as performing arts and visual arts. It is expected to attract about 3,500 faculty and students from more than 300 colleges and universities in all 50 states. Kathleen Enz Finken, UW-L provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, calls the conference an exciting event and an extraordinary learning opportunity for all — students, faculty, staff and community members. “It establishes the value of student research as a tool for teaching, and allows for exceptional mentoring opportunities,” she explains. “In addition, it provides students the opportunity to hone their professional presentation and networking skills.” Typically colleges and universities have to wait 10 years before they are allowed to host again. UW-L was offered the opportunity to bid again because the university hosted a very successful 2009 conference, says Penny Tiedt, interim director of UW-L Continuing Education and Extension. It is also a signal that NCUR values the university’s commitment to undergraduate research and they view the school as a model for it, says Enz Finken. Based on NCUR 2009 participants, the 2015 event will likely generate more than $1 million in direct economic impact to the community as visitors dine in area restaurants and stay in area hotels, says Dave Clements, the executive director of the La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. This is the second time UW-L has hosted the conference and the third time a UW school will host the conference since it started in 1987. UW-Whitewater hosted in 2002. When UW-L hosted the conference in 2009, 2,400 students and faculty attended from about 280 universities in 37 states. That was during the recession and some cancelled because of travel expenses, so more are expected this time, notes Gubbi Sudhakaran, UW-L physics professor and 2009 conference chairman. “This puts us in the limelight,” says Sudhakaran. “It is a great event for UW-L and the community.” More details on the conference such as presentation topics and ticket information will be available as the conference date approaches.