Grant from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Will Support Student-Faculty Research in the Humanities

July 10, 2013 — Allegheny College has been awarded a $600,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support student-faculty collaborative research in the humanities.

The funds will be used for summer stipends for students conducting research with faculty mentors and stipends for faculty mentors, as well as for faculty development initiatives focused on humanities faculty. About 90 students should benefit from the research opportunities during the next four years.

Although Allegheny students have benefited from a dynamic summer research program for many years, most of the research opportunities have been for students in the natural sciences and social sciences. The grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will enhance student research experiences in the humanities, including art, communication, dance, English, history, languages, music, theater and women’s studies.

The grant further helps the college achieve one of the goals outlined in its strategic plan, fostering close faculty-student relationships.

“We realize the critical role our faculty play in the academic and personal growth of our students,” says Provost and Dean Linda DeMeritt. “Alumni remember their favorite faculty and the one-on-one work they accomplished with those mentors as one of the most important and transformative experiences they had on campus.”

Associate Professor of English Soledad Caballero co-directs the humanities research program with Associate Professor of Art Amelia Carr.

“The Mellon grant to foster faculty and student research collaboration in the humanities is a sign of Allegheny College’s commitment to undergraduate research, and it demonstrates the important place the humanities have in our curriculum,” Caballero said. “Humanities faculty and students have responded to the opportunities this grant provides with enthusiasm and creativity, and 22 students and 15 faculty received grant funding in support of a wide range of collaborative projects this summer. We appreciate The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s support of Allegheny’s mission to enhance innovative research opportunities for faculty and undergraduate students in the humanities.”