College students from across the country participate in Friday's official kick-off of Mississippi State's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. The program, established and funded by the National Science Foundation, provides opportunities for undergraduates to perform research in the fields of applied mathematics, conservation biology and chemical engineering. Joining in the opening activities were, R-L, Amy Spencer of Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., Eleenaw Jefferson of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn., Jessy Avelar of El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., Blair Broussard of the University of Louisiana and Mevan Siriwardane of Louisiana Tech University.