November 22, 2003

Dear Colleagues and Guests,

The University of California, Irvine, is honored to host the 11^th annual Southern California Conference on Undergraduate Research (SCCUR). This year’s theme, "Building a Culture of Undergraduate Research: Vision and Dedication," reflects the commitment that UCI and our collaborative network of colleges and universities have made to the success of the undergraduate research experience.

I share your dedication to faculty-mentored research and creative projects as an integral component of undergraduate education in all disciplines and types of institutions. It can be exciting and rewarding for students to experience the research process. As they develop the skills and knowledge they need to complete their projects, they also cultivate a passion for the subject and build the confidence they need to consider a career that includes research activities.

On behalf of the UCI community, I extend congratulations and a warm welcome to nearly 1,000 students, faculty mentors, and guests from 90 institutions in the Southern California region and beyond. We look forward to further academic and professional collaborations with all of you.

My special appreciation goes to members of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Team for organizing this conference and for all their efforts year round in fostering undergraduate research at UCI and beyond.

On behalf of the UCI community, I wish everyone an exciting and engaging day of discovery.