Spotlights
IRIS 2019 Outstanding Thesis Award Winners
December 16, 2019
On Thursday, December 12, 2019, the Integrative, Religious, and Intercultural Studies Department hosted a senior showcase for students to present their research projects. During the event, two students were announced as winners of the 2019 Outstanding Thesis Awards. Kate Millet won the Stanley Krohmer Senior Project Award for her thesis titled, "Mindfulness Curriculum." Ben Scott-Brandt won the Wendy J. Wenner Thesis Award for his thesis titled, "Functions of Behavior in Secular Student Communities."
The Stanely Krohmer Award is given to work that honors the creative spirit, commitment to critical inquiry, innovation, and community-mindedness that can be seen throughout Professor Stanley Krohmer's life and work. A long-time faculty member in IRIS (formerly Liberal Studies), Professor Krohmer has been recognized not only for his outstanding teaching but for his own tireless commitment to lifelong learning as part of a larger creative, engaged community of artists, writers, and scholars. Professor Krohmer is also an award-winning painter and photographer, much beloved by colleagues and students alike. This award is given to students whose senior projects take a creative approach to their subjects, whether through writing, visual, or other multimedia approaches and celebrates the way the humanities can enrich all aspects of human experience.
The Wendy J. Wenner Award is given to work that embodies the spirit and legacy of Dr. Wendy J. Wenner. Dr. Wenner first taught in GVSU's English Department before being named as the founding Dean of Grand Valley's new College of Interdisciplinary Studies in 2004, later the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Dr. Wenner's lifelong commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry, inclusive and equitable teaching and service, as well as her tireless commitment to supporting innovation and the transformational power of education are among her many legacies. This award is given to students whose senior projects show strong, ethical research practices, are well-written, and which demonstrate work that is both academically excellent and that has "real-life" application.