PBK Undergraduate Research Day

2023 Awards

The Phi Beta Kappa Scholarship 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.


The University of Wyoming held its annual Undergraduate Research & Inquiry Across the Disciplines event, where students representing a variety of majors presented their research projects. The Phi Beta Kappa Scholarship Award for Excellence in the Liberal Arts, an award that recognizes exceptional academic achievement and creativity in undergraduate research, was presented to two student researchers.

A team of judges, including Dan Radosevich, Jim Herrold, and Carol Frost, reviewed submissions from students across the university and selected two winners for the honor.

Excellence in the Liberal Arts: Ema Kurbos-Cooper

The winner of the best liberal arts project was Ema Kurbos-Cooper, a senior at UW studying Environmental Systems Science with a concurrent degree in Environment & Natural Resources and a minor in Honors. Ema presented her classical guitar composition, "Equilibria," which reimagines ecological regime shifts in the form of a three-part sonata structure. Ema was taught classical guitar by Kevin S. Hart, a prominent guitar instructor who resides in Laramie, Wyoming.

Ema Kurbos-Cooper with her guitar

Integration of Science and the Humanities: Maeve Knepper

The second recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa Award for Excellence in the Liberal Arts was Maeve Knepper, who was also elected into Phi Beta Kappa in 2023. Maeve is graduating with a degree in economics and international studies with a concentration in Africa and the Middle East. Her research project, titled "Evaluating the Impacts of Water Scarcity on the People of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan," analyzed the economic and social impacts of water scarcity in the region and the potential for sustainable development.

 maeve-knepper2.jpg


View Past Undergraduate Research Day Award winners:

2022

2019

2018

2017

2016

 
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