House Resolution 54

A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MARCH 20, 2018, AS UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY IN MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Mississippi's eight public universities and colleges will host the third annual Posters in the Rotunda on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, featuring the research and scholarly and creative works of exceptional undergraduate students from across the state; and

WHEREAS, outstanding students from across the state have dedicated their time and have worked tremendously hard on their research projects for Posters in the Rotunda, and these students demonstrate the positive impact that higher education appropriation brings to our state, and supporting students who participate in Posters in the Rotunda is an excellent way for Mississippi to invest in its future; and

WHEREAS, students who are engaged in undergraduate research contribute to the application of knowledge across many disciplines, including arts and humanities, social sciences and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, and the research projects that are chosen to be presented during Posters in the Rotunda are those that contribute to fields that make significant contributions to the state, such as health care, agriculture and heritage studies; and

WHEREAS, the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) noted that Mississippi's public universities "provide high quality education, research and innovation that support economic growth and opportunities that benefit all Mississippians in a very competitive environment," and by completing these research projects, the students are provided with opportunities to take part in faculty mentored research and scholarly activities, gaining the knowledge and experience needed to live and work in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, undergraduate research is critical in developing solutions to the needs of Mississippi's future workforce because it cultivates the students' goals and aspirations and it encourages students to specialize in the biomedical and STEM fields after graduation; and

WHEREAS, it is most appropriate for the State of Mississippi to designate a day to show support for exceptional Mississippi undergraduate students who are devoted to academic excellence and who have dedicated a tremendous amount of time to research that will positively impact the State of Mississippi for years to come:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby designate March 20, 2018, as Undergraduate Research Day in Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the presidents of each public university or college in Mississippi and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.