About Research @ UnionResearch at Union University is a student-faculty enterprise that is collaborative and creative. The shared endeavor of research affords students and faculty mentors the opportunity to engage in meaningful learning experiences. Such endeavors have the potential to integrate a body of knowledge with the rigors of scholarly investigation. The lessons learned in the classroom, combined with purposeful inquiry, can promote undergraduate and graduate study. "Meaningful learning" captures student attention and bridges concept or construct with application. The ability to grasp a set of ideas or a collection of facts is one milestone of learning. Research/scholarly investigation at Union University provides students and faculty mentors the opportunity to explore creative ways to expand existing knowledge and share the anticipation of discovery. Such collaboration occurs because Union University is deliberate in its interest in and support of student-faculty inquiry. The University reserves funds and time for undergraduate and graduate students to partner with faculty who are generous with their time and expertise. Union students and faculty present the results of their collaboration in a variety of well attended forums on campus. Additionally, Union students and faculty mentors present posters and papers and demonstrate special skill sets at regional and national conferences and competitions. The commitment of Union's faculty to student learning and student inquiry is pervasive. The enthusiasm that students exhibit is evidenced by the outcomes they report and the result of a special learning partnership between student, faculty mentor, and Union University.
Randall W. Phillips
Director of Research
