The University Libraries received several strong applications for the Fall 2020 Undergraduate Library Research Award (ULRA). Because of this, we were able to secure extra funding from the Academic Enrichment Fund thanks to the Friends of the UI Libraries. We were able to recognize three undergraduate students, who showed impressive research skills, innovative use of library resources, and initiative in seeking assistance from expert librarians.

Emily Bronswick, a senior History and Social Studies Education major, received an award of $500 for her project on Black Iowa Women’s Activism during the Civil Rights era. Emily met with Janalyn Moss, who helped her select books and articles to help with her research. Emily also accessed collections in the Iowa Women’s Archives that included the Edna Griffin Papers.

McKenna Kephart, a senior Nursing major with a certificate in Aging and Longevity studies, received an award of $100 for her work on developing a dining and Dementia-Friendly Communication Educational Program for Western Home Communities. McKenna met with Jen DeBerg, who helped her identify search terms and utilize subject-specific databases, such as AgeLine and PubMed.

Precious Maryah Pate, a freshman Neuroscience major received the Emerging Scholars award of $50 for research done for a Rhetoric assignment on the racial wealth gap and its effects on Black youth and Black mothers. Precious worked with Tim Arnold, who helped her identify resources in InfoHawk+ and other databases to address multiple perspectives in her research.

Join me in congratulating these students on their well-deserved accomplishments. To learn more about the award and to see past winners, visit the ULRA site.

Thanks to the review committee: Brett Cloyd, Elizabeth Riordan, and Riley Samuelson for their help selecting this semester’s award winners.