Undergraduate students are reminded that submission of the online Student Thesis Application and the faculty support statement for the Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award are due March 18. Final thesis submission will be April 8.

Details, including submission forms, are available at: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/admin/thesisaward.html

This is the University Libraries’ second annual competition for the Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis. It aims to find the best thesis submitted by an undergraduate student in consultation with his or her adviser. The winner will receive an award of $1,000 and second place $500 and third place $250. Undergraduate students graduating in summer 2012, fall 2012, or spring 2013 from throughout Penn State are eligible for the spring 2013 award.

Students must submit an online application, have a statement of support submitted by a Penn State faculty member, and provide a copy of their final thesis. The competition includes a review of the submitted theses by a faculty jury and an oral presentation by the students chosen as finalists.

2013 Deadlines include:
• March 18—submit online Student Thesis Application and Faculty Statement of Support
• April 8—Final Thesis Submission
• May 2—Public Oral Defense by the top finalists in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library.

Barbara I. Dewey, dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications, explains, “The Libraries initiated this award in 2012, as a way to emphasize the importance of utilizing quality research methods and employing a thorough understanding of the legal and ethical issues related to the use of information—both key components of academic excellence.” She continues, “We were very impressed with the quality of work submitted in the first year, and it was gratifying to see each thesis demonstrated excellence in the research process of locating, evaluating, and utilizing appropriate scholarly resources.”

Christian M.M. Brady, dean of the Schreyer Honors College, adds, “Research forms the foundation of all scholarship and thus is the very basis of the academic mission of the university. For Schreyer Scholars and many other students, the thesis is the capstone of their experience at Penn State, but all students engage in research during their tenure. This competition recognizes the discerning inquiry and diligent research undertaken by Penn State students in preparation for the completion of a thesis. It celebrates research methodology and scholarship, conducted thoroughly and with integrity, and will further elevate the outstanding research conducted by all Penn Staters.”

For more information, contact Sandy Confer at 814-863-4723 or sandy.confer@psu.edu