4/29/24

By FHSU University Communications

HAYS, Kan. – Forsyth Library is excited to announce that Chelsea Kiefer is the 2024 recipient of the Lynn Haggard Undergraduate Library Research Award (LHULRA). Kiefer, a Senior in the History program, is an Online Student hailing from Raleigh, NC. The LHULRA is awarded annually in honor of Lynn Haggard, a retired Forsyth librarian who served at Forsyth for 18 years. Applicants must demonstrate sophisticated literacy skills and excellence in undergraduate research that incorporates the use of Forsyth Library resources.

Haggard graciously doubled the amount of this year’s award from $500 to $1,000. Kiefer will receive the $1,000 cash award for her work, “Outside of Motherhood:  Childless Women in America 1900-1950,” which she completed for Dr. Hollie Marquess’ HIST 651 VA (Women in American History) course.

“I am just so incredibly excited to have been chosen among all of the strong applications,” Kiefer said. “To win for my research on childless women is especially meaningful for me, as this work is personal to my life and stereotypes put on women, still, every day, in this country and around the world.”

Kiefer is finishing up a two-semester internship with the North Carolina Museum of History and transitioning into a Summer 2024 internship with Duke Homestead Historic Site as well as a part-time job with West Point on the Eno Historic Park. She plans to complete an M.A. in Public History at FHSU before working in a museum or historic site to “spread [her] love of history with the public and connect communities with their pasts.”

The importance of undergraduate research is not lost on Kiefer.

“Undergraduate research is incredibly important to growing in your field and setting a foundation to build upon in graduate school or your future career,” Kiefer said. “Now, as undergrads, is the time to learn the basics, make mistakes, get feedback, and practice as much as you can with the close guidance of your professors. The more you do now—the better prepared you will be later. Utilize all of the tools available to you—like Forsyth Library—and you will succeed!”

“Chelsea's work was both creative and original,” Marquess said. “She utilized a great deal of primary source materials on a subject that is not often covered.”

Marquess also shared that, through a library course guide created by librarian Brian Gribben, Kiefer was able to access library resources remotely. She was also able to chat with an actual Forsyth librarian via the “Ask a Librarian” feature on Forsyth’s website to get help in real time.  

Forsyth Library is proud to support undergraduate research at FHSU. The LHULRA is one way we are committed to serving students on campus, online, and abroad. Librarian Heather VanDyne chaired this year’s committee, which reviewed the 12 applications.

“Not only does the LHULRA provide an opportunity to showcase the amount of time and effort our undergraduate students take in conducting a research assignment, but it also displays the numerous ways in which Forsyth Library is available to help them within their academic career,” VanDyne said. “We provide various library resources, services, and the expertise of our librarians to help further scholarship at all levels of the University, but this foundational work with undergraduate students is key.”

Kiefer’s work will be available on the FHSU Scholars repository: https://scholars.fhsu.edu/lhulra_2024/