05/15/19
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University recently held its first ceremony and ribbon cutting for the Lynn Haggard Undergraduate Library Research Award. The winner of the $500 cash award was Avary Huff, a Topeka sophomore majoring in tourism and hospitality management.

Over 60 people including donors, retired librarians, FHSU faculty and staff, as well as community members were in attendance for the ceremony.

The award recognizes excellence in undergraduate research that incorporates the use of Forsyth Library resources and demonstrates sophisticated information literacy skills.

“This award sought to evaluate not just the research product, but the research process,” said Nathan Elwood, instruction and electronic access librarian. “The judging committee looked at students’ ability to locate high quality information, evaluate it critically, and use it insightfully.” 

A committee of librarians, graduate students, and faculty from across a wide array of disciplines and studies came together to evaluate the scholarship entered by students.

Huff’s paper, “Living the Suite Life: The Implementation of Environmental Technologies in the Hotel Industry,” was completed as part of a tourism and hospitality management course. Thomas Lippert, instructor of management, was Huff’s faculty mentor.

“It was an honor to mentor Avary in this research assignment and help champion her paper,” said Lippert. “Avary indicated that she now realizes that working with librarians at Forsyth benefits the quality and depth in the research process.”

“Huff, in developing her essay, utilized an array of specialized tools and techniques, consulted with library faculty for additional support, and critically evaluated both the sources she utilized and her own skill in using them,” said the committee.

“The Lynn Haggard Undergraduate Library Research Award honors Lynn Haggard, retired Forsyth Librarian, and her 18 years of passionate service to the FHSU community and highlights the role of libraries as partners in student learning,” said Deborah Ludwig, dean of Forsyth Library.

Two additional finalists of the 16 applicants were recognized for their work alongside Huff.

Jordan Stevens, a Wichita sophomore majoring in history, wrote “There’s Something Happening Here: American Protest Songs of the Vietnam War.” Hollie Marquess, instructor of history, was Stevens’ faculty mentor.

Michala Bieker, a Great Bend junior majoring in early childhood unified, wrote “Action Research Project.” Dr. Linda Feldstein, assistant professor of teacher education, was Bieker’s faculty mentor.

The works of the winner and two finalists will be preserved and accessible in the FHSU Scholars Repository at https://scholars.fhsu.edu.

“Our students live in an age where the ability to think critically depends on finding and analyzing information that is unbiased and factual,” said Ludwig. “That skill is foundational to participation in a democratic and increasingly global society. Lynn Haggard helped many FHSU students develop that skill and we honor her legacy with this award”