Information Update - Fall 2012

Library Research Prize Competition a Success in its Second Year

During the 2011-2012 academic year, the Weinberg Memorial Library hosted the 2nd Annual Library Research Prize Competition. Based on feedback from faculty during our successful first run of the competition, the library expanded the prize to include two separate prizes: one on the undergraduate level and one on the graduate level. With multiple, high-quality submissions in both categories, it was clear that the success of the program has been sustained in its second year.
 
As the web page for the competition states, the Library Research Prize is "designed to attract outstanding research projects from courses taught in departments across The University of Scranton campus. It recognizes excellence in research projects that show evidence of significant knowledge in the methods of research and the information gathering process, and use of library resources, tools and services" (www.scranton.edu/libraryresearchprize).
 
The prize is in the amount of $500 for the winning submission in each category: undergraduate and graduate. For the 2011-2012 competition, we received a solid group of submissions in each category, but a clear winner emerged in each pool of submissions.
Library Resarch Prize Award
 
In the undergraduate category, a submission by Stephanie A. Pisko '12 was selected as the 2011-2012 prize winner. A double major in History and Women's Studies, her research project was titled, "Murder and Turmoil: Honor and Crimes of Passion in Two Nineteenth-Century Murder Trials." Her supporting faculty member was Dr. Susan L. Poulson in the History Department.
 
Colleen Achatz's submission was selected to receive the first ever prize awarded in the graduate category. A student in our Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy, her research project, which had two parts, was titled, Part I: "Evolution of Sensory Integration with Children" and Part II: "Jean Ayres' Impact on the Past, Present, and Future of Sensory Integration." Her supporting faculty member was Dr. Rita Fleming-Castaldy in the Occupational Therapy Department.
 
Library Research Prize Award
In addition to our winners for the 2011-2012 academic year, two students were selected to receive Honorable Mentions in the undergraduate category: Allison Carey '12 for her submission, "Dynamics of Recent Trade Relationships with China," and Ryan P. Pipan '12 for his submission, "Much Ado about the Archer-Shee's: Shakespearean Signatures in Terence Rattigan's The Winslow Boy."
 
The winners were honored at a reception and awards ceremony held on May 10, in the Library's Scranton Heritage Room. The Provost and Deans were present to see these accomplished students receive their prizes.
 
The Weinberg Memorial Library will run this competition again during the 2012-2013 academic year. Undergraduate and graduate research projects completed during the summer 2012, fall 2012, intersession 2013 or spring 2013 semesters will be eligible to enter. Please visit www.scranton.edu/libraryresearchprize for details about this library program.
—Donna Witek
Pride, Passion, Promise: Experience Our Jesuit Tradition