Special Collections Summer Project 

In collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Research, the 海角社区 Special Collections Library offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct a summer research or creative project using the resources and materials held within

Special Collections is home to resources such as the Louisiana & Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, Rare Book Collections, University Archives, T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, Louisiana Newspapers archives, and more.  Special Collections Summer Project students are mentored by an archivist or librarian.

Students accepted to the program can earn up to $3,000 in wages for hours worked on the project.

In 2026, 海角社区 will commemorate the 100th anniversary of its campus. To mark this milestone in our university's history, the Special Collections library has proposed two centennial-related projects for students during the summer of 2025.  Students will use the university archives and other resources within Special Collections, offering students a unique opportunity to engage with 海角社区's rich history. See below for project details.

APPLICATIONS DUE BY MARCH 9TH

 


海角社区 Giving Day Logo

Giving Day is 海角社区's annual fundraising event. 海角社区 alumni, students, parents, friends, faculty, and staff come together each year for this day-long online "event" that engages 海角社区 supporters in making contributions of $5 or more to the fund(s) they are most passionate about supporting. 

For Giving Day 2025, 海角社区 OUR is raising funds for student participation in the Special Collections Summer Project. 

Our goal is to raise $3,000 to fully fund one student's participation in the summer program. 

The generous support we receive during this fundraising effort will contribute to honoring the 海角社区 campus centennial in 2026!

Visit and save the date for March 19, 2025! 

Archival images of 海角社区's campus

Applicant information

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Summer 2023 researchers Nathaniel Dela Pena and Madison Saucier (center) with their mentors, Zach Tompkins (far left) and Alia Kempton (far right)

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Summer 2024 researcher Bryce Edwards presenting at the 29th annual Summer Undergraduate Research Forum


 

Past Recipients:

Name Major Mentor Research
Charlotte Balart English Kelly Larson Archives Teaching Tool: The Nancy Pinson Papers
Bryce Edwards History Jennifer Cramer 20 Years in the Middle East: The Veteran's Experience Through Oral History

Name Major Mentor Research
Nathaniel Dela Pena History Zach Tompkins
Madison Saucier History Alia Kempton Confronting the History of 海角社区's Land: Arlington Plantation

 

Leadership Team

Gina Costello, Associate Dean, Technology Initiatives & Special Collections

Kelly Larson, Special Collections Head of Research & Public Services

Brandon Layton, Special Collections Digital Engagement and Pedagogy Librarian

John Miles, Special Collections Curator of Books & Head of Instruction

Zach Tompkins, Special Collections University Archivist

Sarah Ferstel, Director, 海角社区 Office of Undergraduate Research