July 25, 2001

Contact: Tim Miller, religious studies, (785) 864-7263

KU religious studies announces awards

LAWRENCE -- Nine students, including graduating seniors, in the University of Kansas Department of Religious Studies received about $4,500 in awards for 2000-01 academic year, the department announced recently.

Five students received Lewis Ethics Essay Awards, three students won awards for writing outstanding research papers and two students won Harley Nelson Family Fund awards of $1,500 each, given on the basis of academic merit to students who will be seniors in the coming year.

The students honored, the titles of their winning papers or their awards, and their parents' names and home addresses (when available) are

DOUGLAS COUNTY From Lawrence Kristen Elise D'Atri, graduate student in social welfare and in religious studies, won a Religious Studies Graduate Research Award for her paper "The Bodhisattva Jizo's Role in 'Mizuko Kuyo,' the Rite for Unborn Souls," advised by Daniel Stevenson, associate professor of religious studies.

Ruth Marie Dysart, graduate student in religious studies, won a Lewis award for her paper "Responses of Conservative and Orthodox Judaism to End-of-Life Ethical Health Care Issues."

David Lawson Mosher, May 2001 graduate in religious studies, won a Lewis award for his paper "Providing Health Care: A Christian Dialogue." Mosher was also winner of the Religious Studies Undergraduate Research Award for his paper "A Psychological Approach to Emerson: A Defense of a Chosen Method," advised by S. Daniel Breslauer, professor of religious studies.

SEDGWICK COUNTY From Wichita Joshua Gareth Lollar, senior majoring in philosophy, won a Lewis award for his paper "Liberation Theology in Latin America." He is the son of Robin Kluge, 1445 Salina.

SHAWNEE COUNTY From Topeka Andrew C. Mitchell, May 2001 graduate in religious studies, won a Lewis award for his paper "The Controversy over Homosexuality within the United Methodist Church." He is the son of the Rev. Paul and Karny Mitchell, 3604 S.E. 27th Terrace.

ILLINOIS From Crystal Lake Samantha Graham Florek, May 2001 graduate in religious studies, won a Lewis award for her paper "A Design for Health." She is the daughter of Patricia G. Stokely, 954 Camelot Drive.

MISSOURI From Kansas City Jeremy Rapport, graduate student in religious studies, won a Religious Studies Graduate Research Award for his paper "The Construction of Authority in Falun Gong," advised by Daniel Stevenson, associate professor of religious studies. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rapport, 3615 Roanoke.

HARVEY COUNTY From Burrton Sarah Elizabeth Hoskinson, senior in religious studies, won a Harley Nelson Family Fund award. She is the daughter of David Hoskinson, 6502 S. Woodbury Road.

TEXAS From Fort Worth Jennifer Ann Foster, junior in education, won a Harley Nelson Family Fund award. She is the daughter of Michael Foster, 7020 Tameron Trail.