FARMINGTON – University of Maine at Farmington’s Undergraduate Research Council has recently recognized 11 students conducting undergraduate research projects as the fall 2008 Michael D. Wilson Research Scholars and Fellows.

Each student’s original research project is awarded funding that underwrites expenses and helps encourage and promote continuing academic investigation. The awards are funded by a gift from Michael and Susan Angelides, Stonington, Conn., in honor of their good friend and UMF alumnus Michael D. Wilson, class of 1976, who died shortly after graduating.

The students are nominated by a UMF faculty sponsor and, after a competitive selection process, are chosen by the UMF Undergraduate Research Council led by Chairman David Heroux, assistant professor of chemistry.

The research scholars are: Joshua Case, New Vineyard; Ben Engel, Westford, Mass.; Isaac Frith, Randolph; Jaimie Gagne, Gorham, N.H.; Caroline Gallant, Concord, N.H.; Eric Munson, Belfast; Stephanie Nobrega, Phillipston, Mass.; Victoria Pearson, Skowhegan; William Roy, Turner; and Samuel Valentine, Farmington. The research fellow is Daniel Allen, Gardiner.

A senior with a double major in mathematics/music and mathematics, Case is composing a series of original musical pieces to be performed by professional musicians for his senior recital.

A senior majoring in history, Gagne is researching class issues in the suffrage movement, as seen from the experiences of working-class women involved in the movement.

A senior with a double major in psychology and English, Roy is conducting a study grounded in theoretical psychology that will examine whether college students value wisdom or happiness.

A senior with an individualized interdisciplinary major in globalization studies, Valentine is investigating the implementation of collaborative online work environments in the classroom.