The First Annual Undergraduate Research Conference recognizes and celebrates undergraduate researeh and creative activities at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Our faculty are committed to undergraduate research and organizing this conference has revealed both the long and productive record of undergraduate research on campus and the many benefits that occur as the result of faculty mentoring undergraduate students. Students involved in these efforts have better retention rates, excel academically and are more competitive in the job market and graduate school admissions. This formal publication presents the abstracts of the student presentations on April 15 and 16, 1999. The conference features 29 oral presentations, 18 poster presentations and 3 perfonnance­based/visual arts presentations from five campus colleges. Our congratulations to the students and their faculty members.