MAUPRC History
With a modest beginning on March 20, 1982 the Mid-America Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference (MAUPRC) is one of the oldest and most successful conferences of its kind in the United States. Inspired by the words, "the future of undergraduate research seems bright. There seems to be a growing willingness to assure that undergraduate research is being nurtured and rewarded." (Teaching of Psychology, 1982), Dr. Joseph J. Palladino organized the first conference at Indiana State University at Evansville, now the University of Southern Indiana. Even with its growth, the original purpose remains the same: "MAUPRC exists to recognize and encourage research by undergraduate psychology students."
Hoping to attract participants from Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, the conference was originally called the Tri-State UPRC. Indeed, at the 1982 conference there were participants from these three states, representing seven institutions, with 20 paper presentations. A very modest beginning, but with high aspirations. It remained the Tri-State UPRC for the next two years, then on April 13, 1985, the 4th annual conference was introduced as the Mid-America UPRC, as it is now known. After 8 years, under the sponsorship and direction of Dr. Palladino at the University of Southern Indiana, an important decision was made to expand and reach out to other states in order to be rightfully called the Mid-America conference.
The 9th annual MAUPRC moved to a more central location in Indiana. On April 7, 1990, Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana hosted the conference. With this move, sponsorship was assumed by a consortium of five institutions, namely, Butler University, Franklin College, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Marian College and the University of Indianapolis. The uncertainty about the move proved to be unwarranted. Success was evident in that the attendance increased to 151, with 72 paper presentations from 23 institutions in 5 states, namely Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. This more than doubled the number of participants and presentations. In 1991, the conference was hosted by Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. In 1992, the MAUPRC was again hosted by Franklin College, where a record 137 presentations were heard by 276 in attendance from 37 institutions from six states.
Following the 11th annual MAUPRC, Eastern Illinois University joined the consortium to sponsor the conference. On April 17, 1993, they hosted the 12th annual MAUPRC. For the 13th annual MAUPRC, the University of Southern Indiana was welcomed back into sponsorship when they hosted the conference on April 9, 1994. On April 8, 1995, the 14th annual Conference was again hosted by Franklin College with a record number of 156 presentations and an attendance of 288 from 28 institutions from 8 states.
On April 14, 1984, at the 3rd annual MAUPRC, the "Psych Follies" made its debut. Patterned after the popular Saturday Night Live newscast, Psych Follies was a humorous, informative, and fast-paced spoof of events, people, and discoveries in psychology. Originally presented and written by students at Indiana State University at Evansville, Psych Follies was later presented by faculty members at the annual meeting of the APA convention and other regional meetings.
Providing undergraduate students with a forum for presenting their research remains the main focus of the MAUPRC. Equally important is the opportunity for professional development of students who are to become the future professional psychologists. An added benefit of MAUPRC is and will continue to be the opportunity for students to hear notable keynote speakers who have made a significant impact on the field of psychology. All this, but always in the spirit of comradery and support for students by peers and faculty alike. And, in that lies the key to the success of the MAUPRC.