Wright State Friends of the Libraries awards first Undergraduate Research Award

Friends of the Libraries' Board President Ellen Reinsch Friese presented the award certificate to Gina Marie Giardina.

The Wright State University Friends of the Libraries awarded its first Undergraduate Research Award at their annual luncheon on May 3, in the Nutter Center Berry Room. College of Liberal Arts English major Gina Giardina was selected from a field of nine applicants. Her project was titled, “(Re)reading. (Re)visiting. (Re)examining. (Re)searching. Abridging Barriers in James Joyce’s ‘Eveline’” and was completed for her Literary Studies II course (ENG 301).

Giardina’s winning essay and project may be seen on the Libraries’ CORE (Campus Online Repository) homepage, http://core.libraries.wright.edu.

The Undergraduate Research Award was unveiled in 2010. The award’s purpose is to encourage undergraduate students to expand their research horizons by meeting with WSU librarians for thorough guidance in researching papers and projects. Eligibility requirements are: enrollment as an undergraduate student when submitting the application; project initiated and completed for a 300-level or higher undergraduate course within Fall, Winter, or Spring Quarter; and a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5. Applicants submitted an essay describing their research strategies and experience along with a reference list or bibliography, a quality assessment from the project’s supervising instructor and an application form containing comments and signature from the consulting librarian.

The award is open to all study areas and types of projects, including research papers, lab/clinical research investigations, photography/film/video, product or prototype development, artwork, architectural project/model, website creation, and more.

The Selection Committee, consisting of representatives from the WSU faculty, WSU Libraries, and the Friends of the Libraries’ Board of Directors, stated:

“Gina’s essay displayed her understanding and use of a full range of resources. It also showed critical thought in constructing effective search strategies. Her essay was original, creative and humorous, and demonstrated genuine learning throughout the research process as it involved use of the libraries and the libraries’ resources.”

Promotional materials will be released in August for the 2012 Undergraduate Research Award. More information about the program is available by contacting Karin Nevius, coordinator for development and public relations, (937) 775-2686 or karin.nevius@wright.edu.