CAST Outstanding Student Researcher Award, Thesis Category

Purpose

The CAST Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher Award, Thesis Category, recognizes theses conducted by CAST graduate students and annually identifies one exemplary thesis for submission to the Fisher Thesis Competition sponsored by the Graduate School.

Time Lines

Submissions must be made online using the application link above. A completed thesis submission for award consideration includes the completed thesis; a copy of the abstract; the current resume for the graduate student including current mailing address, email, and telephone; and 2 letters of support for the thesis (one letter should be from the committee chair). These letters must address the following issues:

• The quality and validity of the research;
• The importance of the research to the discipline;
• The student's level of participation in the project; and
• Any presentations/publications which have come from the project

Please note: two letters of recommendation should be submitted.

Eligibility

The competition is open to students who have earned their master’s degree AND completed their thesis within the calendar year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The student does not have to be on campus to be eligible for the competition.

Number of Entries

Each department may submit one (1) entry. The use of department guidelines in determining the entry from each respective department is encouraged.

CAST Review

Entries will be reviewed by the CAST Research Committee (CRC). The research will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Quality and validity of the research work;
• Clarity and explicitness of research documentation; and
• Significance of the research to the field of study.

The review will be completed and announced on or before November 1 each year. All entries will be ranked. The highest ranking thesis will receive the CAST Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher Award, Thesis Category. The CRC may choose not to make the award in a given year.

Thesis Competition

The winning materials of the CAST Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher Award, Thesis Category, will be submitted to the Fisher Thesis Competition. The Graduate School will select thesis as winner and runner-up for the University Competition and a thesis for submission to the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) Competition.

Awards

The recipient of the CAST Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher Award, Thesis Category, will receive a monetary award* and a plaque acknowledging the award. The faculty advisor for the winning project will receive a $250 monetary award supplemental to be used for scholarly activity (e.g., travel, books, research materials, equipment). The student and advisor will be recognized at a ceremony sponsored by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs in late November or early December.

* The student will receive a $200 award made up of a $100 contribution from the College and a $100 contribution from the Graduate School.