Ronald McNair Post -baccalaureate Achievement Program Who is ...

Who is Ronald E. McNair?
Ronald E. McNair was born October 21, 1950, in
Lake City, South Carolina to Carl and Pearl
McNair. After graduating Valedictorian of his
high school class, McNair attended North Carolina
A&T State University in Greensboro,
where, in 1971, he graduated magna cum laude
with a B.S. degree in physics. He went on to
study physics at Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, where he specialized in quantum
electronics and laser technology, completing his
Ph.D. in 1977. As a student he performed some
of the earliest work on chemical HF/ DF and
high pressure CO lasers, publishing remarkable
scientific papers on the subject. After completing
his Ph.D. he began working as a physicist at
the Optical Physics Department of Hughes Research
Laboratories in Malibu, California, and
conducted research on electro-optic laser modulation
for satellite-to-satellite space communications.
In January 1978 NASA selected him to enter the
astronaut cadre as one of the first three African
Americans selected. McNair became the second
African American in space between February 3
and 11, 1984, by flying on the Challenger shuttle
mission STS-41-B. Two years later McNair and
his six crew members died in an explosion
aboard the space shuttle Challenger. In his
memory, members of Congress provided funding
for the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate
Achievement Program to encourage low -
income, first generation college students to enroll
in graduate studies. This program is dedicated
to the high standard of achievement that
Ronald E. McNair's life represented.
U n iv e r s it y o f W is co n s in -M a d iso n
Ronald McNair Scholars Program
408 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Dr.
Madison, WI, 53706
Phone: 608-262-0631; or 608- 263- 5517
E-mail: mcnair@bascom.wisc.edu
mholtzman@bascom.wisc.edu
Website: http://www.wisc.edu/McNair/
The McNair Scholars Program is a part of the
Federal TRIO programs.
R o n a l d M c N a i r P o s t
- b a c c a l a u re a t e
A c h i e v e m e n t
P ro g ra m
“Before you can make a dream come true,
you must first have one…”
-Dr. Ronald E. McNair

Whether or not you REACH YOUR GOALS IN LIFE depends entirely on how well you prepare for
them and how badly you want them… You're eagles! Stretch your wings and fly to the sky!!
much.‖ Erika Lopez –Alumni 2008
―The McNair program has contributed
to my growth as a person by taking
the responsibility of planning trips to
go to visit future schools, making and
meeting with faculty at those universities.
The program has connected
me with bright and talented individuals
from who I have learned so
―The advice, guidance and support
that my McNair advisor and the rest
of the advisors from the McNair
program have given me have been
indispensable during my last challenging
year here at UW- Madison.
Working with my faculty mentor in
a research project was a wonderful
and rewarding experience in which
I grew tremendously as a researcher.
Also the friendships and support I found in
the other McNair students was unbelievable.‖ —Malaika
Baxa Alumni 2008
―One of the opportunities
the McNair Program provides
is presenting your
research at conferences
across the country and in
September of 2007 I had
the privilege of presenting
at the University of
New Mexico (UNM)
McNair Conference. Not
only did I present our research to McNair students and
UNM's faculty but I had to opportunity to spend two
days roaming around Albuquerque, New Mexico. —
Regina Chagolla, Alumni 2008
- Dr. Ronald E. McNair
What are the Benefits?
The opportunity to work on an individualized
research project under the mentorship of a UW-
Madison faculty member.
Attend professional conferences and present your
research at a national conference
The opportunity to network with other undergraduates
who are interested in obtaining a Ph.D.
degree
The opportunity to network with Graduate Students
and faculty in their area of interest
Assistance in identifying the graduate school program
that would be a best fit for the scholar
Advising on graduate admissions, financing
graduate education
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) preparation
workshops, and GRE test fee waivers for qualifying
scholars
Receiving individualized academic counseling
and tutoring
Attending seminars on topics such as the graduate
school application process, financial aid,
scholarships and fellowships and the culture of
graduate school
Receive up to a $2,800 research stipend.
Who is eligible?
1) Low-income student who is also a first-generation
college student
OR
2) Student who is a member of a group that is underrepresented
in graduate ed ucation (African American,
Hispanic/ Latino, and American Indian/ Alaskan
Natives);
AND,
3) Have completed 54 credits by the time you enter
into the program; Have a 3.0 minimum cumulative
GPA; and
4) Interested in pursuing a graduate degree*.
5 ) Are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Clarification:
In order to be eligible, you must meet either criteria #1 OR criteria
#2 ALL students must meet criteria #3, #4 & #5 to be eligible.
How to Apply
Download the on-line application at
http:/ / www.wisc.edu/ McNair/ McNairapplication2006.pdf
Print, fill out the application, and return it to:
Ronald McNair Scholars Program
408 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Dr.
Madison, WI, 53706