Developing and Sustaining a Research Program at a Traditionally Undergraduate Liberal Arts College

In the past 10-15 years, Augustana College has experienced a quantum leap in undergraduate Chemistry research because of a fortunate set of circumstances which converged at roughly the same time. Several factors were instrumental for establishing this research culture but the essential ingredients are a very organized and hard-working faculty dedicated to making a research culture a reality and students who are excited about research and willing to work to make it happen. Creative use of available facilities and efforts to secure financial support from a variety of sources is essential for maintaining and growing this research culture, where success breeds success in obtaining support. The decades long effort at Augustana was sustained at a moderate level until about 10 years ago. At that time several larger collaborations fueled growth, but participation in an NSF-URC entitled the Northern Plains Undergraduate Research Center (NPURC) provided the biggest boost. In a very real way, the impact of NPURC is still being perpetuated in the department. The intentional manner each program fed students into summer research as well as the funding support for students, faculty, instruments, and travel to meetings over the extended period of time effected a change in student expectations to one of entitlement. The details of these circumstances will be examined to see what effect they have had on the recognition, honors and placement of students in and after graduating from this department and its research program. The necessary elements of a successful research program will be discussed.