KU News Release

June 1, 2009
Contact: William Staples, Department of Sociology, (785) 864-9414.

KU sociology department announces 2009 student awards

LAWRENCE — The Department of Sociology at the University of Kansas honored 27 students for their achievements in the 2008-09 academic year at recognition ceremonies May 15 and 16.

Yi Song, a doctoral student in communication studies from Beijing, China, received the E. Jackson Baur Award for Research and Study of Social Conflict and Conflict Resolution. The award, named for a KU professor emeritus of sociology, supports research, professional travel or manuscript preparation and recognizes scholarly accomplishment. She earned the award for her research on the adult son/husband’s mediation role in mother-daughter in-law conflicts in China.

The Centennial Award commemorates 100 years of sociology at KU and supports graduate student-faculty research projects in sociology. Kuo-Ray Mao, a doctoral student in sociology from Lawrence, and Associate Professor Mehrangiz Najafizadeh shared the award.

Pooya Naderi and Carrie Wendel-Hummell, both doctoral students in sociology from Lawrence, received Carroll D. Clark Awards for Teaching Excellence, which recognize outstanding 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 honor graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship, integrity and promise in the discipline of sociology. Brian Azcona, a doctoral student in sociology from Lawrence, received the Post-MA Award. Sociology doctoral students Ada Van Roekel-Hughes of Lawrence and Aislinn Addington of Bonner, Mont., received Pre-MA Awards.

Elizabeth Legerski, sociology doctoral student, and Ku-Ray Mao, sociology master’s student, both of Lawrence, received $1,000 Christopher Gunn Graduate Student Scholarships in Sociology, which assist graduate students whose work 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 Dissertation Scholarship and 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. and Charlyne McCluggage Scholarships and sociology students who had earned university-level distinctions, including Harley S. Nelson Family Scholarships. Nine seniors 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. Funds for the scholarship are managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management foundation for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

Honorees are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, previous schools attended and award or scholarship.

ANDERSON COUNTY
From Garnett 66032
Amy Gretencord, senior in sociology, daughter of Michael and Teresa Gretencord; Anderson County High School; Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Eudora 66025
Elizabeth Helweg, senior in applied behavioral science and sociology, daughter of Stan and Michelle Helweg; Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.

From Lawrence 66044
Brian Azcona, doctoral student in sociology; bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and master’s degree from the University of New Orleans; Carroll D. Clark Post-MA Award.

Christy Marie Craig, doctoral student in sociology; Andale High School, Andale, Kan.; bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University; Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship.

Robert P. Hughes, doctoral student in sociology; KU master’s degree in sociology in fall 2008 and bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University; Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship.

Kuo-Ray Mao, doctoral student in sociology; bachelor’s degree from California State University-Fullerton; Christopher Gunn Scholarship and Centennial Award.

Pooya Shawn Darius Naderi, doctoral student in sociology, bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University and master’s degree from Portland State University; Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship.

Ada Mae Van Roekel-Hughes, doctoral student in sociology; KU master’s degree in sociology in fall 2008 and bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University; Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship and Carroll D. Clark Pre-MA Award.

From Lawrence 66046
Elizabeth Miklya Legerski, doctoral student in sociology; bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University; Christopher Gunn Scholarship, Morris C. Pratt Dissertation Scholarship and Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship.

HARVEY COUNTY
From Newton 67114
Sandra Lauren Yoder, sophomore in applied behavioral science and sociology, daughter of Samuel and Sylvia Yoder; Newton High School; Marston M. and Charlyne McCluggage Scholarship.

From Sedgwick 67135
Stephanie K. Decker, doctoral student in sociology, daughter of Jack and Sara Decker; Valley Center High School, Valley Center, Kan.; KU bachelor’s degrees in journalism in spring 1998 and psychology in spring 2001 and KU master’s degree in sociology in summer 2004; Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From De Soto 66018
Christie M. Jones, senior in sociology; De Soto High School; Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.

From Overland Park 66213
Nicholas Gregory Mott, junior in philosophy and sociology, son of Gregory and Lisa Mott; Blue Valley Northwest High School; Harley S. Nelson Scholarship.

Jessica Burger, senior in anthropology and sociology, daughter of Karen Arnold-Burger and Kurt Burger; Blue Valley Northwest High School; Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Linwood 66052
Nicole K. Perry, doctoral student in sociology, daughter of Joe and Janet Perry; KU master’s degree in sociology in fall 2008 and KU bachelor’s degrees in English and humanities in spring 2005; Basehor-Linwood High School; Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship.

NEOSHO COUNTY
From Chanute 66720
Christian L. Watkins, senior in religious studies and sociology, son of Mark and Lesta Diane Watkins; Chanute Senior High School; Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.

OSAGE COUNTY
From Overbrook 66524
Shelley Lee Koch, doctoral student in sociology; KU master’s degree in sociology in spring 1994 and bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and sociology in spring 1990; Harry A. Burke Senior High School in Omaha, Neb.; Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship.

RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson 67502
Sarah M. Whisler, senior in psychology and sociology, daughter of Doug and Shelley Whisler; Buhler High School; Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67235
Kristen M. Cowan, senior in sociology, daughter of Michele Crisler; Goddard Senior High School; Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66610
Matthew Jordan Etzel, senior in sociology, son of Karen Ennis; Hayden High School; Harley S. Nelson Scholarship and Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.

From Topeka 66614
Samantha Ann Williams, senior in psychology and sociology, daughter of Tom Williams; Topeka West High School; Marston M. and Charlyne McCluggage Scholarship.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66109
Daniel Parker, senior in sociology, son of James and Anita Parker; Lansing High School; Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.

MONTANA
From Bonner 59823
Aislinn R. Addington, doctoral student in sociology; KU master’s degree in sociology in fall 2008 and bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University; Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship and Carroll D. Clark Pre-MA Award.

CHINA
From Beijing
Yi Song, doctoral student in communication studies; bachelor’s degree from Yantai University; E. Jackson Baur Award for Research and Study of Social Conflict and Conflict Resolution.

SINGAPORE
Ray Meng Hao Sin, doctoral student in sociology; Morris C. Pratt Travel Scholarship.

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