Kirmser Awards recognize exceptional undergraduate scholarship at Kansas State University
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award winners, from left: Austin Schmitz, Savannah Winkler, Peter Masters, Trevor Thomas and David Leiszler. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — Excellence in research has earned several students at Kansas State University recognition through the third annual Kirmser Undergraduate Research Awards.
The award committee recognized outstanding undergraduate research in topics ranging from presidential history to biosystems engineering. Grand prize awards were given in three categories: individual freshman, individual non-freshman and group. Individual grand prizewinners each received $1,000, and the group grand prizewinners shared a $3,000 award. Honorable mentions were also named in the individual non-freshman and group categories.
"It's extremely exciting to see the high-caliber research our undergrads are completing with the support of K-State Libraries," said Jason Coleman, associate professor, academic services librarian and chair of the award committee. "I'd like to extend my sincere congratulations to our winners and all of our applicants."
The awards are made possible through a gift from the Philip and Jeune Kirmser estate.
The following students earned a Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award or were named an honorable mention recipient:
• Austin Schmitz, senior in biological systems engineering, Axtell, grand prize in the group research category for "Design of Mechanical System to Remove Net Wrap from Large Round Hay Bales." The project was for the course Biological Systems Engineering Senior Design taught by Edwin Brokesh, instructor of biological and agricultural engineering.
• David Leiszler, senior in biological systems engineering, Clifton, grand prize in the group research category for "Design of Mechanical System to Remove Net Wrap from Large Round Hay Bales." The project was for the course Biological Systems Engineering Senior Design taught by Edwin Brokesh, instructor of biological and agricultural engineering.
• Savannah Winkler, freshman in English, Hutchinson, grand prize in the individual freshman research category for "Taking Action: Diversity in American Institutions." The project was for the Expository Writing II taught by Roxana Loza, graduate teaching assistant in English.
• Jakki Forester, senior in print journalism and American ethnic studies, Manhattan, honorable mention in the individual non-freshman research category for "'You Better Werk, Hunty': Transformations in drag queen culture in central Kansas." The project was for the class Ethnographic Methods taught by Jessica Falcone, associate professor of anthropology.
• Emily Nelsen, senior in psychology, Manhattan, honorable mention in the individual non-freshman research category for "Feminine Honor May be More Than Sexual Purity and Familiar Obligation: A Review of the Literature." The project was for the course Problems in Psychology taught by Don Saucier, associate professor of psychological sciences.
• Kseniya Sheshukova, junior in biological systems engineering, Manhattan, honorable mention in the individual non-freshman research category for "Analysis of Recombinant Human Serum Albumin Extraction & Degradation in Transgenic Rice Extracts." The project was for the course Undergraduate Research Experience taught by Lisa Wilken, assistant professor of biological and agricultural engineering.
• Trevor Thomas, senior in history and German, Overland Park, grand prize in the individual non-freshman research category for "Engines of Abolition: The Second Great Awakening, Higher Education, and Slavery in the American Northwest." The project was for the class Advanced Seminar in History taught by Charles Sanders, associate professor of history.
• Emily "Emmy" Wilson, senior in history, Overland Park, honorable mention in the individual non-freshman research category for "Happy Housewives": Sisters in the Struggle for Women's Rights." The project was for the course Advanced Seminar in History with Charles Sanders, associate professor of history.
• Ellen Bodine, junior in communication sciences and disorders, Roeland Park, honorable mention in the group research category for "Reflecting on the Journey: Advice to Parents from Parents." The project was for the course Undergraduate Research Experience taught by Briana Goff, professor of family studies and human services.
• Ashley Schmelzle, junior in communication sciences and disorders, Sabetha, honorable mention in the group research category for "Reflecting on the Journey: Advice to Parents from Parents." The project was for the course Undergraduate Research Experience taught by Briana Goff, professor of family studies and human services.
• Peter Masters, senior in biological systems engineering, Troy, grand prize in the group research category for "Design of Mechanical System to Remove Net Wrap from Large Round Hay Bales." The project was for the course Biological Systems Engineering Senior Design taught by Edwin Brokesh, instructor of biological and agricultural engineering.
