Gifts to Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program contribute to...
Every year, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) supports more than 100 students across majors and disciplines in the pursuit of original research, scholarly and creative activities, in partnership with St. Thomas faculty mentors. These emerging scholars are gaining the skill, confidence and experience to make meaningful contributions to their fields, now and beyond their time at St. Thomas. You’ll find them in labs, libraries, lakes – really anywhere where there are questions to be asked and knowledge to be created.
One hallmark of UROP is our support of students who seek ways to share their results widely. All UROP awardees present their results to our campus community at Inquiry Poster Session, a tradition now in its 23rd year, and many stretch their reach even further, presenting their work at conferences and professional meetings across the U.S., and sometimes even internationally.
These students get to engage at a high level to contribute their findings to a community of scholars, learn from professionals in their fields and chart important goals as they develop from students into scholars and professionals. Each traveler has gone above and beyond, committing to getting the most out of their academic experience, working alongside their professors, learning to apply advanced research methods skillfully and ethically, and producing results they are proud to share with fellow professionals. We’re proud to see them represent St. Thomas in so many places.
Your gifts literally help our students go the extra mile!
- $25 – Sponsors a traveler’s meal with a new conference contact.
- $50 – Pays to print a traveler’s poster for presentation.
- $100 – Chips in for a traveler’s airfare or conference registration.
- $500 – Covers a domestic flight for a traveler.
Any amount you give will go to cover some or all of a Tommie’s travel and participation costs. In summer 2025, students returning from conference trips reported:
- Meeting potential future graduate school advisors.
- Meeting potential co-authors for papers.
- Learning about how the work they were doing could impact society.
- Being inspired to do more research.
- Getting advice about their future career.
MAKE SOME NOISE for these scholars – they’re making an impact!
Thank you for your generosity!
A note from Katie Iverson '26
2024 Young Scholar and Accounting & Business Law and Compliance Major
"Attending the Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) Conference was an incredible experience, and I am deeply grateful for the support of the UROP grant I received in making it possible. I was able to present my research on accounting fraud, which tied together both of my majors in accounting and business law and compliance. Sharing this work gave me the opportunity not only to present my ideas, but also to receive valuable feedback that challenged me to think more critically and refine my approach. One of the most impactful moments was being able to ask questions directly to the very scholars whose textbooks I study from, which was both humbling and inspiring. I was honored that my research was recognized through winning the student competition, which affirmed the value of my work and motivated me to continue pursuing scholarship at a high level. The conference also gave me the chance to connect with professionals and peers, expanding my academic network and opening doors for future opportunities. This experience strengthened my passion for research and deepened my academic growth in ways I will carry forward."
