FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas is welcoming 21 undergraduate students to a summer program that helps prepare them for graduate school. The George Washington Carver Project was established at the university in 1997. In its 10th year it has been renamed the George Washington Carver Research Program, but it continues to provide opportunities for minority students, while paying tribute to the renowned African American educator and scientist, George Washington Carver, from Diamond, Mo.

The program began May 20 and continues through July 13.

The Carver Research Program gives prospective graduate students from historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions the opportunity to work directly with a UA faculty mentor and gain exposure to post-graduate preparation. Students will be introduced to various aspects of graduate study, including standardized test preparation, research and presentation skills, as well as the graduate application and funding process.

"The Carver Program is named for a true pioneer of agricultural chemistry who was raised less than 80 miles away in southwest Missouri," said Bob Smith, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. "We are honored to see these gifted students from our neighboring institutions participating in this growing program and look forward to assisting in their research endeavors while here at the University of Arkansas."

Students selected to participate in the Carver Research Program must have at least 60 hours of coursework completed and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. They must also attend a partnership institution. The students attending this year represent eight of the 25 historically black and Hispanic-serving institutions that participate in the Carver Program.

UA departments hosting Carver interns this term are agricultural economics, biology, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemistry, drama, education, English, horticulture, food science, mechanical engineering and microelectronics-photonics.

“The George Washington Carver Research Program is an important part of our efforts to diversify the graduate student population at the university,” said Karla Clark, director of the Carver Research Program. “It is encouraging to see how the program has grown in 10 years, and the support it is receiving from departments throughout the university. Institutional support of programs like the Carver will enhance the overall academic experience at the University of Arkansas.”

George Washington Carver was born on the Moses Carver plantation in Diamond, Mo., about 1864, and was responsible for numerous advances in horticulture and botany. Carver is best known for his discovery of more than 300 uses for peanuts and several hundred for soybeans, pecans and sweet potatoes. He also developed a method of alternating soil-depleting crops, like cotton and tobacco, with soil-enriching crops like soybeans and peas. The method, known as crop rotation, is still used by many farmers today.

Carver is also credited with numerous improvements to adhesives, axle grease, bleach, buttermilk, chili sauce, fuel briquettes, ink, instant coffee, linoleum, mayonnaise, meat tenderizer, metal polish, paper, plastic, pavement, shaving cream, shoe polish, synthetic rubber, talcum powder and wood stain. Only three patents were ever issued to Carver.

Historically black colleges and universities are post-secondary institutions founded before 1964 with the express mission of educating African Americans. There are currently 105 such institutions founded primarily in the southeastern United States.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is a national educational association that represents colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the United States, including Puerto Rico, as well as Latin America and Spain.

This year the institutions participating in the Carver Research Project are Alcorn State University, Arkansas Baptist College, Bennett College, Dillard University, Huston-Tillotson University, Jackson State University, Langston University, Lincoln University, Mississippi Valley State University, New Mexico Highlands University, New Mexico State University, North Carolina A&T University, Philander Smith College, Prairie View A&M University, Southern University and A&M College, Spelman College, Tennessee State University, Texas Southern University, Tougaloo College, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Texas at El Paso, University of Texas-Pan American, Wiley College, Winston-Salem State University, and Xavier University.