When then Professor of Chemical Engineering Fred Shair created SURF in 1979, he included important elements that remain at the core of the program. Students collaborate with mentors to define and develop a project prior to writing a research proposal. A faculty committee reviews the proposals and SURF awards are made on the basis of reviewer recommendations and available funds. Students work on their projects over ten weeks in summer, and at the conclusion they submit technical papers and give oral presentations. The essence of SURF is the interaction between mentor and protégé.
Eighteen students worked with 17 mentors the first summer. Since then, the program has expanded to 396 students and 189 mentors.
