Outstanding Thesis Award

This award was established to recognize outstanding research or creative activity by students who have completed master's theses in the previous calendar year. Awards are made in the following categories: Social Science/Education; Arts/Humanities; Science/Technology. Because the caliber of submissions varies considerably, the awards are not necessarily given each year. Awards for currently enrolled students will be processed via Student Accounts. Students who have graduated will receive a check in the mail.

Deadlines

Nomination by Monday, February 12, 2024
Materials by Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Email Nominations to: Dr. Ross Gosky with SUBJECT LINE: Outstanding Thesis Award

Application Information

Eligibility for Nomination

Any graduate student who completed a master's or specialist thesis in the previous calendar year at App State. Up to THREE nominations per department may be submitted.

Nomination Process

Send nominations for this award to the Associate Dean of the Graduate School via email. Nominated students will be informed of the nomination and invited to submit an application, which will include a copy of the thesis, supporting materials, and letters of support.

Selection Criteria

The awards are defined as honoring the best thesis from the previous calendar year based on:

  • interesting research/scholarly topic
  • clearly explained approach/method
  • clear indication of how the work adds to or aligns with the discipline
  • accessible to an educated non-specialist
  • well written and formatted

Donor

Cratis D. Williams Graduate School

Past Recipients

  • 2023: Emily Walker, Experimental Psychology
  • 2022: Erin Deitzel, English (Arts/Humanities); Patricia Ferreira, Experimental Psychology (Science/Technology)
  • 2021: Grant Buckner, Biology (Science/Technology); Clayton Joseph Cooke, Music Therapy (Arts/Humanities); Stella Harden, Geography (Social Science/Education)
  • 2020: Amelia Bruce, Exercise Science (Science/Technology); Kennon Howell Keiser, History (Arts/Humanities)
  • 2019: Daniel George, Psychology (Science/Technology); Heather Guy, Geography and Planning (Social Science/Education); Jewel Parker, History (Arts/Humanities)
  • 2018: Evyan Gainey, English (Arts/Humanities); Reed Gurchiek, Exercise Science (Science/Technology); Jessica Tierney McCausland, History (Social Science/Education)
  • 2017: Matthew Green, Biology (Science/Technology); Zachary Morgan, Psychology (Social Science/Education); Anthony Sadler, History (Arts/Humanities)
  • 2016: James Balcomb, Geography (Science/Technology); Alexa Dorris, Music Therapy (Arts/Humanities); Alex Kirk, Psychology (Social Science/Education)
  • 2015: Alissa Anderson, MA Psychology (Social Science/Education); Christopher Howard, MA History (Arts/Humanities); Alyssa Teat, MS Biology (Science/Technology)
  • 2014: Laura Eddy, MA Psychology (Social Science/Education); Misty Harville, MA History (Arts/Humanities); Johnathan Sugg, MA Geography (Science/Technology)
  • 2013: May Bartlett, MA Geography (Social Science/Education); Mary Jane Carmichael, MA Biology (Science/Technology); Carrie Anne Streeter, MA History (Arts/Humanities)
  • 2012: Ashley C. Brewer, MA Appalachian Studies (Arts/Humanities); Christopher L. Coffey, MA Geography (Social Science/Education); Ginger M. Kelly, MA Geography (Science/Technology)
  • 2011: Jeremy Land, MA History (Arts/Humanities); Courtney McGahee, MS Engineering Physics (Science/Technology); James Waynick, MA Geography (Social Science/Education)
  • 2010: Adam B. Smith, MS Engineering Physics (Science/Technology); David (Jake) Gentry, MA Geography (Social Science/Education)
  • 2009: Christina Romanelli, MA English (Arts/Humanities); Lauren Hunter, MA Geography (Science/Technology); Marissa Swaim, MA Psychology (Social Science/Education)
  • 2008: Christopher Ellsworth, MS Computer Science (Science/Technology); Phillip Jameson, MA Appalachian Studies (Arts/Humanities); Stephanie Squires, MA Psychology (Social Science/Education)
  • 2007: James Dobson, MA Geography (Social Science/Education); Justin Wynns, MS Biology (Science/Technology)
  • 2005: Jessica Grice, Biology
  • 2004: Jason Blalock, Biology
  • 2003: Matt Estep, Biology
  • 2002: Janet Beck, English
  • 2001: Amy Hudnall, History
  • 2000: Brian L. Brown, Biology
  • 1999: Peter Smith, Biology
  • 1998: L. Baker Perry, Geography
  • 1997: Dana Tamashiro, Biology
  • 1996: Marvin Rainwater, Exercise Science
  • 1995: Philip Noblitt, History
  • 1994: Ashlee Hedgecock, Biology
  • 1993: Robert Williams, Jr., Physics
  • 1992: Melanie Mock, Chemistry
  • 1991: James O'Dell, History
  • 1990: Donald Albert, Geography
  • 1989: Douglas Aldridge, English
  • 1988: Clifton Calloway, Jr., Chemistry
  • 1987: Susan Enscore, Geography
  • 1986: Catherine Mader, Chemistry
  • 1985: Jon Speed, Biology; Charles Abernathy, Physics
  • 1984: Donna Ellington, History
  • 1983: Gisele Loriot, English
  • 1982: Gregory Harris, Biology
  • 1981: Charlie Smith, English
  • 1980: Timothy Silver, History
  • 1979: Patricia Hackney, Counselor Education
  • 1978: Harold Daniel, Economics and Business
  • 1977: Cynthia Culbreth, Political Science
  • 1976: W. Fred Sides, Geography
  • 1975: Martin Tucker, History