2004 University Co-op / George H. Mitchell Undergraduate Awards For Academic Excellence
Recipient of $20,000 Award:
Brian E. Hardin
Senior, Electrical Engineering
Nominated by Dr. Anthony Ambler for creating a sophisticated computer
program, which generates unusual shapes for solar cells and maximizes
their ability to collect light on a smaller space. Brian’s
project, “Non-tracking Solar Concentrator Model,” has
long-range implications for the viability of solar power. A patent
for his ideas has been filed by Oxford University.
Recipients of $5,000 Awards:
Corinna A. Kester
Senior, Plan II and Chemical Engineering
Nominated by Dr. Larry Carver, Corinna Kester's project, "Small-Scale
Renewable Energy in Panama: Current Status, Lessons Learned, and
Barriers Faced," called on her fluency in Spanish and her
creative research skills to synthesize this multidisciplinary work
culled from interviews with Panamanian officials, creating what
amounts to a policy statement for the government of Panama.
Geeti S. Mahajan
Senior, Plan II and Asian Studies
Nominated by Dr. Martha Selby, Geeti Mahajan organized a classical
Indian dance troupe, which seamlessly transplanted a locally specific
art form and incorporated representations of heroines from classical
Indian dance, while raising $6,000 for area charities.
Ashley H. Ray
Senior, English Honors
Nominated by Dr. Laura Furman, Ashley Ray wrote a biographical
essay titled "In Search of an Accident of Hope: The Live or
Die Life of Anne Sexton," which utilized the Sexton archive
at the University's Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center to
create a beautifully written and empathetic portrait of the poet
as a teacher and as a mother.
Recipients of $2,000 Awards:
Andrea M. Choquette
Senior, Plan II, Business Honors and Marketing
Nominated by Dr. Samer Ali for her balanced analysis of efforts
to shape perceptions of America in the Muslim world after 9/11,
Andrea Choquette's "Brand America: Mass Media and Public Diplomacy
in the Middle East" is a substantial and mature work based
on a solid understanding of marketing theory.
Maribelisa Gillespie
Junior, Anthropology
Nominated by Dr. Kim Shelton for her feminist revision of Aeschylus'
tragedy "Agamemnon," Maribelisa Gillespie's "Agamemnon
Clytemnestra: The true story of the return of Agamemnon and the
events following" is a nuanced work that makes a powerful
critical and creative statement.
Charles A. Thomas
Senior, Humanities, German and Psychology
Nominated by Dr. David Crew, Charles Thomas' work, "The Story
of Nazi Environmental and Animal Rights Laws" uncovers the
shocking irony of Hitler's insistence on humane treatment of the
environment and animals inside the death camps.
Sarah E. Tierney
Senior, Plan II, Computer Science and Government
Nominated by Dr. Joseph Straubhaar, Sarah Tierney addressed the
issue of access to technology in the Third World in her interdisciplinary
study, "From the New World Information and Communication Order
to the World Summit on the Information Society: The Debate Over
Media and Technology Development Issues from 1976-2003."
Amy L. Zolkoski
Senior, Choral Studies
Nominated by Dr. Suzanne Pence, Amy Zolkoski used her musical training
at UT to become the galvanizing force behind a production of song
and dance by children's choirs in Galveston and Mexico, crossing
both international and socioeconomic barriers for her project, "Ajijic,
Mexico and Galveston, Texas Underprivileged Children Music Workshops."
