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KU sociology department announces spring student awards
LAWRENCE — Twenty-two students in the Department of Sociology at the University of Kansas were honored May 11.
Ophra Leyser-Whalen, Lawrence doctoral student, received the Midwest Sociological Society’s Scholarship Development Award for her research, “Why Use Fertility Treatments?” She will present her findings at the society’s annual conference in March in St. Louis, Mo. The society, founded in 1936, is a professional organization of academic and applied sociologists as well as students of the discipline.
Three students received E. Jackson Baur Awards for Research and Study of Social Conflict and Its Resolution: Jonathan Dennis of Hutchinson and Lucas Todd Thompson of Lawrence, both graduating seniors, and Maria Weir of Roeland Park, a doctoral student. The award supports research, professional travel or manuscript preparation and recognizes scholarly accomplishment. The award is named for a KU professor emeritus of sociology.
Other awards presented were:
— The Carroll D. Clark Award for Professional Service and Carroll D. Clark Award for Teaching Excellence recognize outstanding service contributions of graduate students to the department, university and/or profession of sociology. Clark is a KU professor emeritus of sociology.
— Carroll D. Clark Pre- and Post-MA Awards reward graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and integrity and show promise in the discipline of sociology.
— The $1,000 Christopher Gunn Graduate Student Scholarship in Sociology assists a graduate student whose research focuses on innovative approaches to theory and research. The scholarship is named for a KU doctoral sociology student.
The department also honored recipients of the Morris C. Pratt Research and Travel Scholarships, which provide for research and/or travel expenses related to presentation of master’s or doctoral work at or participation in a professional conference in the area of social inequality. The scholarships are named for a longtime supporter of the discipline of sociology and advocate for social justice.
Also recognized were recipients of Marston M. McCluggage Scholarships and sociology students who had earned university-level distinctions, including Harley S. Nelson Family Scholarships and the Hilden Gibson Award. The Gibson award goes to a graduating senior in the social sciences who plans to continue her or his professional education. Five undergraduates were inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta international sociology honor society.
Founded in 1891, KU’s Department of Sociology is the oldest academic sociology program in the United States.
Honorees are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names and high schools (when available) and award or scholarship.
BROWN COUNTY
From Hiawatha
Blake Georgepaul Barrett, senior in psychology, son of Gene and Kathryn Barrett; Hiawatha High School; inducted into Beta Chapter of Kansas Alpha Kappa Delta international sociology honor society.
BUTLER COUNTY
From Rose Hill
Andrew Ricke, spring 2007 graduate in political science and sociology, son of David and Sheila Ricke; Rose Hill High School; graduated with distinction in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Bree Ashley Beasley, senior in political science with an international studies co-major, daughter of Lynn and Lisa Harrod; Lawrence Free State High School; inducted into Beta Chapter of Kansas Alpha Kappa Delta international sociology honor society.
Tori Lynne Barnes-Brus, doctoral student in sociology; master’s in sociology from KU, fall 2001; Carroll D. Clark Award for Professional Service and Carroll D. Clark Post-MA Award.
Kuo-Ray Mao, master’s degree student in sociology; bachelor’s degree from California State University-Fullerton; Carroll D. Clark Pre-MA Award.
Lucas Todd Thompson, spring 2007 graduate with bachelor’s degrees in American studies, English, history and political science, son of Todd and Caprice Thompson; Lawrence Free State High School; E. Jackson Baur Award.
Carrie Dawn Wallace, senior in sociology with an international studies co-major; Lawrence Free State High School; inducted into Beta Chapter of Kansas Alpha Kappa Delta international sociology honor society.
Ophra Leyser-Whalen, doctoral student in sociology; master’s degree from Northern Illinois University-DeKalb; bachelor’s degree from Indiana University-Bloomington; Christopher Gunn Graduate Student Scholarship and Midwest Sociological Society Scholarship Development Award.
FORD COUNTY
From Dodge City
Hannah Beth Love, senior in American studies and sociology, daughter of Beth Love; Dodge City Senior High School; inducted into Beta Chapter of Kansas Alpha Kappa Delta international sociology honor society, Marston M. McCluggage Scholarship and Harley S. Nelson Family Scholarship.
JOHNSON COUNTY
From Roeland Park
Maria Weir, doctoral student in anthropology and master’s degree student in public health; master’s degree from University of Maryland-College Park; bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University; E. Jackson Baur Award.
From Shawnee
Claire M. Scharenberg, spring 2007 graduate in sociology, daughter of Carl and Anna Scharenberg; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; graduated with distinction in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Leavenworth
Brian L. Zirkle, doctoral student in sociology, son of Robert and Patricia Zirkle; bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University; Morris C. Pratt Research Scholarship.
RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson
Jonathan M. Dennis, spring 2007 graduate in religious studies, son of Randy and Karen Dennis; Hutchinson Senior High School; E. Jackson Baur Award.
SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67214
Delia Kimbrel, fall 2006 graduate in sociology, daughter of Linda Harris; Wichita High School Southeast; graduated with distinction in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
STAFFORD COUNTY
From St. John
Casey Elizabeth Cornwell, senior in sociology and American studies, daughter of Rick and Gayle Cornwell; St. John High School; Marston M. McCluggage Scholarship and Harley S. Nelson Family Scholarship.
WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City
Audrey Lynn Lauber, senior in French and sociology, daughter of Karen Lauber; Piper High School; inducted into Beta Chapter of Kansas Alpha Kappa Delta international sociology honor society.
IOWA
From Walford
Loralie Wiebold, doctoral student in sociology, daughter of Diane and Roger Wiebold; bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa; Morris C. Pratt Research Scholarship.
MISSOURI
From Warrensburg
Melissa Ann Freiburger, doctoral student in sociology; master’s degree from University of Central Missouri-Warrensburg; bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State College-Joplin; Morris C. Pratt Research Scholarship.
NEBRASKA
From Omaha
Shelley L. Koch, doctoral student in sociology, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Koch, bachelor’s in philosophy from KU, spring 1990; Harry A. Burke Senior High School, Omaha; Morris C. Pratt Research Scholarship and Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship.
OKLAHOMA
From Norman
Kelsey Dawn Barr, spring 2007 graduate in sociology and political science, daughter of Joe and Kimberly Barr; Norman High School; Hilden Gibson Award.
MINNESOTA
From Cottage Grove
Elizabeth Miklya Legerski, doctoral student in sociology; bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University; Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship and Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award and Distinguished Service Award from KU’s Graduate School.
JAPAN
From Omiya Saitama
Ayako Mizumura, doctoral student in sociology; bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon; Christopher Gunn Graduate Student Scholarship.
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