The results of the 2019-2020 James L. Fisher Outstanding Thesis Award Competition at Illinois State University have been announced by Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies John Baur.

Overall University Winner:
Olga Kostyrko –
Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Wonsook Kim School of Art: Construction of Reality: Symbolic and Social Practice of Michael Kurzwelly’s Slubfurt and Nowa Amerika

University Co-Runner-Up:
Joseph T. Neale –
College of Arts and Sciences, School of Biological Sciences: When Does Less Equal More? Assessing the Mechanisms Driving Compensatory Mortality and the Hydra Effect

University Co-Runner-Up:
Yao Shi – College of Applied Science and Technology, Department of Technology: A Big Data and Sensor Network for Construction Material Testing

College Winners:
Kate Brunk –
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Politics & Government: Beyond the Sentimental Cliché: How Local Communities Impact Residents and Shape Public Opinion

Alyssa M. HernandezCollege of Arts and Sciences, School of Communication: “They Are Supposed to Be There for Me”: Using Thematic Analysis to Understand Sexual Assault Disclosures in Hispanic Families

The awards ceremony will be held Thursday, April 2, 2020.

All finalists receive $200 awards. The university runners-up receive an additional $100 awards, while the overall university winner receives an additional $200 award.