TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Lauren Megginson of Whately, Christina Corley of Mobile and Desiree Adams of Mobile conducted research at The University of Alabama as members of the 2005 McNair Scholars class.

Megginson, a 2005 graduate of UA, conducted her research with UA faculty mentor Dr. Arthur Allaway in the department of management and marketing. Her report on “From Rags to Riches: Growing Out of Poverty” was featured in the 2005 edition of the UA McNair Journal. She was a member of Beta Alpha Psi, Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society.

Corley conducted her research with UA faculty mentors Dr. Hobson Bryan in the department of geography and Dr. Marysia Galbraith in the department of anthropology and New College during the summer of 2004. Corley, who is set to graduate in August, co-authored a research report for the UA McNair Journal on “Strengthening Community in Higher Education: Different Approaches among Living-Learning Communities.” Along with being named a J.L. Bedsole Scholar, she also received the Fran Geddes Outstanding Service to New College Award, and the Outstanding Senior Award by The Other Club.

Adams, a 2005 graduate of UA, conducted her research with UA faculty mentor Dr. Carl Clements, professor of psychology, during the summer of 2004. Along with presenting her research at the 2005 American Psychology-Law Society Conference in La Jolla, Calif., she co-authored a research report for the UA McNair Journal on “The Influence of Age and Victim Impact Statements on Sentencing in Juvenile Capital Cases.” At UA, Adams was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and was awarded The UA National Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Award in 2005.

The McNair Scholars Program is named after Dr. Ronald E. McNair, a first-generation college student who earned a doctorate in physics at MIT. Later, as an astronaut, he became the second African-American in space. He was among those who died in the 1986 Challenger accident. Honoring his legacy, McNair Scholars is a prestigious scholarship and research program that helps prepare accomplished undergraduates for graduate study. A U.S. Department of Education TRIO program, McNair Scholars targets first-generation college students and those from other groups underrepresented in doctoral programs.