Gregory Young, professor in the School of Music and founding director of the Undergraduate Scholars Program at Montana State University in Bozeman, has been selected as the 2021 CUR-Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Awardee. The award consists of a plaque and $1,000 for the recipient’s work with undergraduate researchers.
A member of the Montana State faculty since 1988, Young also has served as assistant dean of the College of Arts & Architecture and director of the School of Music. In addition to working with undergraduates on collaborative projects, he played a crucial part as vice provost for undergraduate education in requiring research of all undergraduates—the first public university to do so—and established Montana State’s McNair Scholars Program to encourage underrepresented students to engage in research. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Western Ontario, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in music from the University of Michigan. Young has lectured or performed on five continents and is a clarinetist with the Intermountain Opera and Bozeman Symphony Orchestras.
Said Lindsay Currie, CUR’s executive officer, “Dr. Young’s innovative interdisciplinary work has inspired undergraduate researchers and faculty members alike, fusing music with fields such as architecture, economics, history, and neuroscience. His involvement in the CUR publication Creative Inquiry in the Arts and Humanities: Models of Undergraduate Research and other books have provided invaluable resources for faculty and administrators wishing to nurture undergraduate research in the arts and humanities. Dr. Young’s active roles with the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, the British Conference of Undergraduate Research, and similar events have helped to build dynamic international communities supporting undergraduate research.”
Said Royce Smith, dean of the Montana State University College of Arts and Architecture, “Professor Young’s award serves as a timely and well-deserved recognition of his vision of research as a unifying force in the university community. His efforts democratize scholarship for students such that inclusivity, interdisciplinarity, and intellectual rigor can all contribute in equal measure.
The CUR-Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Awards were established in 2018 through an endowment by 2012 CUR Fellow Joyce Kinkead (Utah State University) to nurture undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry in arts and humanities disciplines.
Founded in 1978, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) focuses on providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity. Among the many activities and networking opportunities that CUR provides, the organization also offers support for the professional growth of faculty and administrators through expert-designed institutes, conferences, and a wide-range of volunteer positions. The CUR community, made up of nearly 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals, continues to provide a platform for discussion and other resources related to mentoring, connecting, and creating relationships centered around undergraduate research. CUR’s advocacy efforts are also a large portion of its work as they strive to strengthen support for undergraduate research. Its continued growth in connections with representatives, private foundations, government agencies, and campuses world-wide provides value to its members and gives voice to undergraduate research. CUR is committed to inclusivity and diversity in all of its activities and our community.
CUR focuses on giving a voice to undergraduate research with learning through doing. It provides connections to a multitude of campuses and government agencies, all while promoting networking and professional growth to its community.
Montana State University: Founded in 1893, Montana State University is the state's land-grant university, dedicated to education, research, and outreach that transforms lives and communities in the people's interest. Located in Bozeman, MSU and its seven academic colleges, graduate school, and two-year programs serve more than 16,000 enrolled students.