Sociology and Anthropology Students Honored at Gala

By Miranda McKinney ’16

The Annual Awards Gala for the Sociology & Anthropology Department at Ohio University was held April 8, 2016. After the opening remarks by Sociology Professor Tom Vander Ven, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Sociology Dr. Laurie Hatch spoke about all the opportunities a degree in Sociology or Anthropology offers students.

With a background in both Sociology and Anthropology, she said, “A degree in Anthropology or Sociology offers a way to understand the world.”

Hatch added that the skills learned in the social science classroom are applicable in many fields and praised the faculty and staff for being “outstanding teachers and mentors.”

Outstanding Graduating Seniors

Following the speakers, the Department honored the Outstanding Graduating Seniors for each discipline. The Anthropology Outstanding Graduating Senior was Madeline Rettig, who was praised her for her dedication to equality, fairness and justice as well as her studies with a 3.78 GPA. She was complemented on her attention to issues of prisoners’ rights and human rights. Maddie plans on attending law school in the fall.

The Sociology senior student was Carly Manso, who was praised for achievement as a student (3.96 GPA) while also a successful soccer player during her years at Ohio University. Joshua Houze was recognized as the Sociology-Criminology Outstanding Graduating Senior. He graduates with the highest GPA of the department, a perfect 4.0. He was described as having a unique intensity in his studies. Also a member of Ohio University ROTC, Houze was described by Vander Ven as “almost like a peer instead of a student.”

Induction to Honors Societies

Next was the induction of new members to the Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Delta International Honor Society of Sociology and Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society. The new members were presented with initiation packets and told to honor the skills of critical thinking and continue working to improve the human condition.

Alpha Phi Sigma initiates announced by Kelly Faust

Katherine Bialas, Stephanie Creighton, Lindsay Hiatt, Phalen Kuckuck, Rachel Neal, Ian Thompson, Sierra Whitlock

Alpha Kappa Delta initiates announced by Kelly Faust

Katherine Bialas, Sallie Cohen, Stephanie Creighton, Lauryn Frumkin, Benjamin Grice, Haley Hemming, Ariel Hodges, Ryan Hopper, Phalen Kuckuck, Jaclyn Lynch, Hannah Murphy, Rachel Neal, Victor Niro, Victoria Ream, Austin Rivers, Elise Rye, Camille Smith, Sierra Whitlock, ShawnDea Woods

Lambda Alpha initiates announced by Nancy Tatarek

Lauren Ash, Ciara Blomgren, Brianna Griesinger, Abigail Guerra, Michael Humphreys, Melanie Potraz, Courtney Stephan, Ian Thompson, Tyler Thress

Grants, Scholarships, Internships

All students and faculty who had received University Grants and Scholarships as well as students with internships were recognized. Also recognized were students who had undertaken research and presented at the Student Expo or professional association annual meetings during the academic year.

Reception and Pictures

A reception followed the ceremony, providing an opportunity for students, their families and friends, and faculty to mingle and celebrate – and pose for pictures.

In a combined department it is easy to only interact with the people directly in your discipline, but events such as these provided a way for to become socialize and become better acquainted.

Research & Creative Activity Expo presenters, announced by Paul Patton

Leah Butler, “Getting Stoned: Marijuana Use Among University Students.” Faculty Mentor: Thomas Vander Ven.

Amanda Buchanan, “Archaic Period Domestic Economy: Evidence from the Monday Creek Workshop Site, Southeastern Ohio.” Faculty Mentor: Paul Patton

Cameron Fortin, “Food for the Dead: Evidence of Mortuary Feasting at the Plains Mound Center, Hocking Valley Ohio.” Faculty Mentor: Paul Patton

Abigail Guerra, “Portraits of Health Through Mortality Date: Old Miner’s Cemetery, Buchtel, Ohio.” Faculty Mentor: Nancy Tatarek

Alison Harper, “Portraits of Health Through Mortality Data: St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Buchtel, Ohio.” Faculty Mentor: Nancy Tatarek

Jaclyn Lynch, “The Difficulties Young Women Face in Exiting Abusive Relationships.” Faculty Mentor: Kelly Faust

Tonya Maynard, “In Class, Sharing Class?” Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Lee

Miranda McKinney, “Wistful History, Memory and Nostalgia: hüzün in Istanbul.” Faculty Mentor: Smoki Musaraj

Erin Noonan, “Painting a New Identity: Public Visual Representation in Northern Ireland.” Faculty Mentor: Haley Duschinski

Abigail Stephens (Claire Seid, Co-Presenter), “The Role of Identity in the Integration Processes of Multiracial Children in Japan.” Faculty Mentor: Charlie Morgan

Nicholas Stillman, “Using Geometric Morphometrics to Explore Prehistoric Human Interaction.” Faculty Mentor: Paul Patton

Lydia Weiant, “When Law Falls Short: Extra-Legal Dispute Resolution in Northern Ireland. ” Faculty Mentor: Haley Duschinski

Graduate students earning MA degrees in the 2015-16 academic year:

Sociology M.A. Completed & Expected Academic Year 2015-16

Greg Bevelhymer, Comprehensive Exams: Criminological Theory; Homicide. Advisor: Tom Vander Ven

Kelsi Boyd, Comprehensive Exams: Information & Communication Technologies and Social Inequality; Poverty Reduction in Appalachia. Advisor: Steve Scanlan

Harrison Brill, Comprehensive Exams: Criminological Theory; Juvenile Delinquency. Advisor Tom Vander Ven

Leah Butler, Thesis, “Getting Stoned: Marijuana Use Among University Students.” Advisor: Tom Vander Ven

Amber Damiani, Comprehensive Exams: Victimology (Family Violence); Mental Illness in Society (Crime & Law). Advisor: Tom Vander Ven

Alex DeZarn, Comprehensive Exams: Gender Identity; Gender Inequality in Sport. Advisor: Deb Henderson

Benjamin Grice, Thesis, “Jailbreak: Examining School Criminalization and the Resilience of African American University Students.” Advisor: Charlie Morgan

Ryan Hopper, Comprehensive Exams: Social Movements; Contentious Politics. Advisor: Steve Scanlan

Jaclyn Lynch, Thesis, “Stuck in Transition: The Difficulties Young Women Face in Exiting Abusive Relationships.” Advisor: Kelly Faust

Brittany Moore, Thesis, “Evaluating the Prevalence of Rape Myths at a Midwestern University.” Advisor: Deb Henderson

Molly Prescott, Comprehensive Exams: Youth Mentoring; Mexican American Families. Advisor: Tom Vander Ven

Jenna Richards, Comprehensive Exams: Feminization of Poverty; Mental Illness. Advisor: Deb Henderson

Rebecca Thomas, Comprehensive Exams: Women and Work; Women and Immigration. Advisor: Cindy Anderson

Eunice Yeboah, Comprehensive Exams: Child Socialization & Sex Education in Ghana; Women & Poverty in Ghana. Advisor: Deb Henderson