Bowling Green, Kentucky – Western Kentucky University undergraduate students Meghan Rice, Amanda Poole, and Tradesha Chatman were honored in their University Experience classes for winning undergraduate research awards. WKU Libraries and WKU University Experience faculty offer the awards in an effort to recognize the important role of good undergraduate research in college academic success.

      “We want all students to know, and particularly new incoming students, that the university libraries is here for them,” said WKU Libraries Dean Susann deVries. “These awards are an opportunity for us to let these students know we will help them to succeed here at WKU, regardless of where they are at in their academic careers.”  

    Rice, a first-year student from Manchester, Kentucky, received the award for her annotated resource list based on the TED talk “How I learned to communicate my inner life with Asperger’s” by Alix Generous. Her instructor was Fallon Willoughby.   

     Poole, a first-year student from Bowling Green, Kentucky, received the award for best annotated resource list based on the TED talk “The truth About Disney Princesses” by Jon Cozart. Her instructor was Sara McCaslin.

     Chatman, a first year student from Franklin, Kentucky, was recognized for the best career essay, representing the University Experience classes on South Campus. Her topic was a career she plans to pursue in nursing with specialties of pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology. Her instructor was Dr. Anne Heintzman.

     Students were honored in their University Experience classes with University Experience Coordinator Sara McCaslin, Dean of WKU Libraries Susann deVries, Research Award Committee Chair Joseph Shankweiler, and committee member Lynn Niedermeier in attendance. Each received one hundred dollars along with a plaque honoring their achievements.  To see a listing of all winners, go to https://www.wku.edu/library/awards/undergrad.php