My favorite part of playing violin is being able to play in orchestras. It is such a cool experience.
Playing the violin has been a way of life for Rachel Grubb.
and although she's been doing it since the age of eight, it is been at the University of Tennesee, Knoxville
that the senior has taken her craft to the next level.
I have definitely grown so much here at UT,
especially through those mentors and
through the music programs that we have here and we have great faculty.
And it is neat to be on both sides of the musical experience. Playing, making music,
also being a conductor
which is more of the artistic leadership side of it but you don't actually make any sound.
Grubb had the chance to display her gift at UT Knoxville's first ever research week,
five days dedicated to solely undergraduate research.
She, along with hundreds of other students, showed off their diverse talents,
in areas ranging from music to art to science to business.
At the Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement, also known as EURēCA,
students' not only showcase their work but competed for the top spots in their fields.
EURēCA Competitor, Todd Skelton, is a senior in UT Knoxville's College Scholars Program,
an interdisciplinary honors program where students essentially develop their own curriculum
and work with a faculty mentor on an in-depth research project.
It is one thing to be a student in a classroom
but this takes my academic work to another level.
For Todd, the chance to pursue undergraduate research hasn't just enhanced his college career, but also, he believes, his future.
It is not just regurgitating information on a multiple choice exam but rather
encourages a student to challenge themselves
and also contribute to what, if you are working with a faculty member, they are developing in the lab
and to what your own student portfolio is.
Research Week and EURēCA shed light on just a portion of the amount of undergraduate research
that is being done at UT Knoxville. In just the past two years, research has skyrocketed due to more resources
such as class credit for research and paid research opportunities that have been made available to students.
UT is committed to undergraduate research.
Whether it is offering EURēCA
and presenting here and giving student awards for their work,
or providing summers grants for students to travel or buy lab materials,
whatever it may be, displays that commitment.
Educational research has shown that students who get involved in faculty scholarship tend to be retained at a higher percentage,
they graduate in less time
and their GPA goes up. So there is a direct benefit for that undergraduate student.
And there is a benefit for the nation.
Undergraduate researchers can become intellectual entrepreneurs, people who can make positive contributions
to society and keep America competitive in the international sphere.
As we come up with more, better ideas faster,
we will be in the leadership position.
So, inspiring, instructing, giving opportunities to be able to do that
if they have that experience, they have the confidence
to seek and create the next best idea in whatever areas they are working in.
Whether that be in Science, business, art or music.
if they have that experience, they have the confidence to seek