This annual prize recognizes student excellence in library research. Submissions must be for a project completed in a 300- or 400-level course. Winners receive a cash prize, a certificate, and publication of their submission in this collection.

Recent Submissions

  • The Historiography of the October Revolution in America and Russia, 1918-2023: A Comparative Review

    Martin, Sagan
    This paper offers a comparative summary of the historiography of the October Revolution in both the United States and the USSR, as well as the Russian Federation. Ultimately, the author finds that the October Revolution was contested on political grounds from its very inception onwards. Across both sides of the iron curtain the event was used in propaganda. The onset of the Cold War further emphasized this political division. With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the historiography became much more international and open, but developments within Russia throughout the 2010s and 2020s have threatened this fragile state of affairs.
  • When the Mountains Speak in Tongues: Protestantism and the Impact of Pentecostalized Religion on Guatemala

    Spada, Redia Kael
    The religious lives of Guatemalans were dominated by the Catholic Church for centuries, and while its presence is still felt today, an increasing number in Guatemala and across much of Central America have sought refuge and spiritual nourishment in the Protestant Church. In 2023, about 42% of the Guatemalan population identified as Protestant, up from about 5% in 1970. The majority of this increase occurred in the decade between 1976 and 1985. This paper will explain how Protestant missionaries capitalized on circumstances in Guatemala during this decade to convert large numbers of people to their faith. My research is based on primary sources from the state department and missionaries themselves, as well as secondary sources such as books and articles regarding the religious landscape of Guatemala.
  • Time-Series Statistical Analysis of Suicidal Behavior Among Non-Heterosexual Youth

    Chowdhury, Adeeb (2023-03-01)
    The disproportionately higher rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth has been so widely documented that within pediatrics, it is known as "the suicide consensus." This disturbing trend has been attributed to the pervasive violence, harassment, abuse, and isolation faced by young queer people. This paper employs SPSS statistical analysis tools to investigate the patterns of suicidal behavior among LGBTQ+ youth in the United States and how it has been affected, if at all, by the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015. Building on the hypothesis that this Supreme Court decision paved the way for greater acceptance and more positive attitudes towards same-sex relationships, the paper tracks victimization rates among queer youth for several years before and after 2015. It finds a statistically significant finding between the legalization of SSM and the decline of suicide rates among LGBTQ+ American youth.
  • To Stay or To Return: Factors Affecting the Immigration Decisions of African Students in the United States

    Suberu, Mary (2017)
    There are a few factors affecting the decision of migrant African students' choice to stay in the United States or return to their home countries. From the ideological wish to return to spark change in their country, various ideas and thoughts buffer in between. While conducting my research, I explored questions to reveal these factors such as: What social, political, and economic factors contribute to their decision? Do they feel a sense of obligation to bring their skills and knowledge to help in the building of the infrastructure of their countries of origin? What are the potential ramification of their decisions? The results showed that 40% of the students expressed their wish to return home while 60% expressed their wish to stay in the U.S. Although most of the students have a short-term goal of staying in the US, they collectively feel a sense of attachment to their home country. This idea creates a certain level of dynamic tension between their wish for personal advancement and their hope for their country's development. I've gathered from my data that this topic is more complicated than presumed. There is no direct response to this question and emerging between their views is a grey area. Understanding the different dimensions associated with the cause of students' decision will enrich our perception of the effects of their country's environment and what can be· done to foster its continual development.