University of Missouri

Aug. 29, 2024

This summer, 12 Honors College students at the University of Missouri were named Cherng Summer Scholars — an immersive program that encourages students to explore their passions through individually tailored research projects aimed at exploring questions related to each student’s area of study.

This nine-week program allows students to examine their research questions while benefitting from the support and mentorship of a Mizzou faculty member.

“It’s a privilege to be able to work doing something you love, so I’m extremely grateful for the Cherng Summer Scholars program,” Emily Boyett, a senior journalism and political science double major, said. “It’s not often that you get the opportunity to geek out all summer! The program has been helpful in building my research skills and preparing me for graduate school. Without this experience, I don’t think I would be as confident as I am today in my ability to conduct original research independently.”

This one-of-a-kind opportunity is made possible by a gift from Andrew and Peggy Cherng and the Panda Charitable Family Foundation. One of the many Honors programs that the Cherng family supports, Cherng Summer Scholars receive a $7,000 award and access to a $1,000 project expense account.

“The Cherng Summer Scholars program has been a wonderful opportunity for personal and intellectual growth filled with many mistakes, setbacks and challenges accompanied by curiosity, discoveries and triumphs,” Kameron Hahn, a senior biological sciences major, said. “Thanks to Peggy and Andrew Cherng and the Panda Charitable Family Foundation, we are able to realize the gift of experiential learning for an entire summer. I am also appreciative of our weekly colloquium with other Cherng scholars. Dr. [Susan] Lever fosters a learning environment where we can reflect on our progress and goals as researchers.”

Lever, an associate professor emerita of chemistry, leads a weekly class with the students, where they meet to discuss their projects and any challenges or successes that the past week held. That course also allows students to share exciting steps on their research journeys.

The program concluded with student presentations at the Summer Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum, hosted by the MU Office of Undergraduate Research. The forum gives each student the opportunity to showcase their discoveries.

“This program is an excellent opportunity for our students to grow and develop as researchers, whatever their field of study,” said Catherine Rymph, dean of the Honors College. “It also shows the variety of research that undergraduate students can pursue at MU. We are very thankful to the Cherng family for making an opportunity of this nature possible.”