American Studies associate professor Carolyn de la Peña is congratulated by Fred Wood, interim vice provost for undergraduate studies, during a June 14 reception where de la Peña was chosen for the 2006 distinguished mentoring of undergraduate research award. The reception also brought honors for student Peter "Rocky" Samuel, recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research. Samuel, a psychology major, earned the award and its $500 prize for a paper titled "Effects of Eurocortin II." The annual competition is limited to seniors. Other finalists were Brandi Heacock, religious studies; Lauren Hilliard, environmental policy analysis; James Loomis, linguistics; and An "Andy" Tan, music.