The Phi Beta Kappa Awards for Excellence in the Liberal Arts are made possible by an endowment presented to the University of Wyoming Phi Beta Kappa chapter by Harald V. Johnson of Bensenville, Illinois. This endowment, in honor of Louise A. Lee Johnson is now used to support undergraduate students whose scholarship and research display excellence in the liberal arts. Mrs. Johnson participated in the University of Wyoming Phi Beta Kappa Chartering in its inaugural year of 1940. Today, the University of Wyoming is one of only 293 colleges and universities in America to meet the rigorous qualifications for hosting a chapter. This year, the members of the University of Wyoming Chapter are honored to be able to recognize undergraduate researchers who expertly weave together physical, intellectual, ethical and social issues in their research.
On April 23rd, 2022, the PBK team of judges attended many oral presentation and poster display sessions. Awardees are selected in two categories: excellence in the liberal arts and integrating an understanding of science and the human condition.
"We were very impressed with the quality of the presentations," said Dan Radosevich, PBK's Member-At-Large. "It's reassuring to again see that there are so many intelligent, hardworking students on campus. It was a pleasure to be an audience to their exposition of their research."
Given the quality of this year's research projects, the team had a difficult task in selecting only two winners.
Excellence in the Liberal Arts: Abigail Blesi
The winner of the best liberal arts project is Casper, WY native Abigail Blesi, pursuing a post-bachelor's certificate in secondary education. Her project is titled, "The Final Blackout.”
Integration of Science and the Humanities: Oreoluwa Babtunde, Christian Bitzas, and
Brady Wagstaff
A team of students won the award for integration of science and the humanities with their project, “Detecting Cars in Bad Weather Using Thermal Imagery." The researchers were three seniors in computer engineering: Oreoluwa Babatunde from Nigeria, Christian Bitzas from Powell, WY, Brady Wagstaff from Evanston, WY.
Integration of Science and Humanities Awardees Oreoluwa Babatunde, Christian Bitzas, and Brady Wagstaff
