UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Libraries and the Schreyer Honors College recognized three finalists and named Schreyer Scholar Brandon Bixler the grand prize winner of the 13th annual Robert F. Guentter Jr. Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis on May 2, in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, and online via Zoom, immediately following the three finalists’ presentations. A recording of the event is available.
Awards are given annually to three finalists with outstanding Penn State undergraduate theses that are grounded in quality research, as determined by a jury of librarians and other Penn State faculty. The Robert F. Guentter Jr. Grand Prize winner is awarded $1,250, first runner-up is awarded $750, and second runner-up is awarded $500.
Prior to the finalists’ presentations, Faye A. Chadwell, dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications, and Patrick Mather, dean of the Schreyer Honors College, announced the top three candidates for the award. The finalists, all of whom are spring 2024 graduates, and their final placements are:
- Second runner-up: Julia Welp, Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, bachelor of arts degrees in history, political science and Middle East studies, College of the Liberal Arts, minor in global security, thesis titled “From Ur to Masada: Antiquities Policy and State Building in Palestine/Israel and Iraq, 1919-1950”;
- First runner-up: Sydney Burns, Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, bachelor of arts degrees in English and comparative literature, College of the Liberal Arts, thesis titled “Arachnid Authorship: Intertextual Web-Weaving as a Reflection of Women’s Authorial Identities”; and
- Robert F. Guentter Jr. Grand Prize winner: Brandon Bixler, Schreyer Scholar, bachelor of science degree in agricultural and extension education, College of Agricultural Sciences, minor in international agriculture, Presidential Leadership Academy certificate, thesis titled “Exploring Agricultural Education as a Vehicle for Effective Instruction in Low-Resource Environments: A Photovoice Study of Nepalese Science Educators.”
The University Libraries initiated the Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award to emphasize the importance of utilizing quality research methods and employing a thorough understanding of the legal and ethical issues related to the use of information — both key components of academic excellence. For Schreyer Scholars, Paterno Fellows and others for which a thesis is the capstone of their undergraduate experience, this competition recognizes the discerning inquiry and diligent research practices and documentation undertaken by the scholars in preparation for graduation.
The University Libraries provides full texts of most Schreyer Honors College electronic theses through the University Libraries catalog.
The submissions process for the Robert F. Guentter Jr. Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award begins in January of each year. Penn State students who have graduated in summer of the previous year or fall or spring of the current academic year are eligible to participate. The finalists’ theses and presentations are judged by a panel of Penn State faculty including several librarians. Details about the award are available on the University Libraries website.
For more information, contact Wendi Keeler at 814-863-5449 or wak109@psu.edu.