DATE: April 28, 2009

CONTACT: Jeffrey Appling, 864-656-3022
japplin@clemson.edu

WRITER: Hannah Sykes, 864-656-2061
hsykes@clemson.edu

Clemson Creative Inquiry program praised in college guide

CLEMSON — Lynn O’Shaughnessy’s book, “The College Solution: a Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price,” applauds Clemson University for its unique undergraduate research program, Creative Inquiry.

The book, published by FT Press in 2008, includes a chapter titled “The Value of Undergraduate Research,” which cites the Creative Inquiry program as a rare chance for undergraduates to get involved in research, an opportunity usually reserved for graduate students.

Undergraduate research teaches students more self-confidence and critical-thinking skills, according to O’Shaughnessy. It also encourages students to attend graduate school and helps retain students enrolled in science, math and engineering programs.

The Creative Inquiry program at Clemson is unique in several aspects. Projects from all departments are involved. Teams of six to eight students perform the research over multiple semesters, often as many as three or four. As a result, students learn real-world skills and develop connections with faculty members.

Creative Inquiry was implemented in 2005 with 40 research teams. There now are more than 200 research projects. Many departments such as geology, food science and human nutrition and parks, recreation and tourism management employ Creative Inquiry as a major mode of learning.

“Creative Inquiry is one of the most powerful learning environments where undergraduate students partner with a faculty mentor to learn scholarship first hand,” said Jeffrey Appling, associate dean of undergraduate studies and coordinator of the Creative Inquiry program. “Our hope is to keep growing and providing more opportunities for students to have these valuable experiences.”

“We want all our graduates to be thinkers, leaders and entrepreneurs,” said Dori Helms, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

For more information about Creative Inquiry, visit http://www.clemson.edu/ci/.

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