Message from President Bob Kustra Local Revenue: Making a Difference in College Readiness Alcohol Trends among Native American Youth: a Look at a Reservation in Nevada

Congratulations to all of the 2007 McNair Scholars for your achievements over the past year. In particular, I want to acknowledge the hard work and accomplishments of the senior Scholars whose research is represented in the papers in this publication. This year's journal showcases numerous promising academic talents from Boise State and marks the culmination of an extensive research experience. I also want to recognize and thank all of the faculty mentors who have worked with our McNair Scholars. It is your patience, guidance and encouragement that facilitates the transformation of these students into scholars. The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is designed to identify and cultivate aspiring scholars from underrepresented backgrounds, and facilitate their pursuit of doctoral degrees and academic careers in teaching and research. The research presented here signals the arrival of a new group of rising scholars who will carry their talents, enthusiasm and hard work ahead into graduate programs here and across the country. The research and other experiences you have had as undergraduates and McNair Scholars at Boise State University are your first critical steps on this path. As you graduate and move on, I hope that you will continue to aspire, achieve and pursue your dreams. Again, congratulations and best wishes. Sincerely, Bob Kustra President This is our third issue of the Boise State McNair Scholars Research Journal and we believe it is our best effort so far. Though still a young program, having begun operation in early 2004, we have learned more each year about how to help enrich the scholarly lives of students on our campus as well as how to better produce a journal. Two years ago we published our first McNair Research Journal because we knew it was an important thing to do, to show the scholarly community the work that is representative of undergraduates who participate in the McNair Scholars Program. We are very happy and proud to see the research displayed in this our third Boise State McNair Scholars Research Journal. It presents research conducted in the summer of 2006. It is a great accomplishment for these Scholars. They have worked long hours, sweated over IRBs, met consistently with McNair staff – in most cases for the better part of two full academic years, spent a considerable time in the offices of faculty mentors consulting over numerous research issues, and have had opportunities to present their work …