The University Libraries at the leading research institute in New Mexico, UNM, recently announced the recipients of the 2024 Jim and Mary Lois Friday Hulsman Undergraduate Library Research Awards. The prestigious award aims to highlight outstanding research conducted by undergraduate students at the university.
Leo Lo, dean of College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences, expressed the institution's commitment to supporting students throughout their college careers, stating, "We pride ourselves in supporting students throughout their entire college career through our expertise, services, spaces, and collections."
The awards, which accept original research projects in various formats, received submissions from undergraduate students majoring in diverse fields such as art studio, anthropology, English, biology, religious studies, population health, and elementary education.
The recipients of the award will not only receive a cash prize but also have their research added to the UNM Digital Repository. Furthermore, an exhibit showcasing the award-winning research projects will be displayed in the Zimmerman Library Learning Commons.
In the Emerging Researcher Category, Kaitlin M. Bone secured first place with her project on "Class Distinctions Between Moche Warriors: An Illustration in Ceramic Vessels." Piper M. Lincoln and Jasmine L. Partain claimed the second and third place respectively with their research on "Stonehenge: Not So Blank Slates" and "Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler."
In the Advanced Researcher Category, Jerimiah Westerman took the first place with his study on "Investigating the Potential Effect of Pollinators on the Alpine Plant Diversity of the Southern Rocky Mountains: A Community Phylogenetic Approach." John San Nicolas and Lillian Quinn Walker shared the second place with their projects on "The Affectivity of Doctrine: Making Sense of the Many Disagreements Between Christians" and "Challenges to Building Black Generational Wellness to Foster Growth within Black Populations: A Research Proposal" respectively. Charlotte Auh secured the third place with her research on "Rudolfo Anaya as a UNM Professor."
The Jim and Mary Lois Friday Hulsman Undergraduate Library Research Award program aims to recognize excellence in undergraduate research that utilizes the University Libraries' resources and showcases advanced information literacy skills. The College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences expressed gratitude towards the judges, committee members, and the Hulsman for their support of the award program.