Congratulations to the 2026 Honors Thesis Prize Recipients!
Each spring, we are reminded of the remarkable depth of talent, curiosity, and dedication that exists within our Honors community. This year’s thesis submissions were nothing short of extraordinary. To every student who submitted a thesis project this year: thank you for your dedication and know that your work reflects the very best of what the Renée Crown University Honors Program stands for.
We are proud to announce the recipients of this year’s thesis prizes, awarded across five categories recognizing excellence in creative works, humanities, natural science and engineering, social science, and professional scholarship.
Creative Works
- Honorable Mention: Yida “Rick” Li, School of Architecture, advised by Professor Britt Eversole. “MEMORY WITHOUT MONUMENTS: Lockerbie and the Apparatus of Remembrance”
- Winner: Salma Mahmoud, College of Visual and Performing Arts, advised by Professor Christine Albright-Tufts. “MEN>women”
Humanities — William Sauer Prize
- Winner: Anna Meehan, College of Arts and Sciences, advised by Professor Ellen Hebden. “The Panduri as a Participatory Constructive Actor in Contemporary Formations of Georgian National and Cultural Identity”
Natural Science & Engineering
- Honorable Mention: Theresa Beers, College of Arts and Sciences, advised by Professor Latha Ramalingam. “Effects of Paternal Fish Oil Supplementation in Obese Mice on Thermogenic and Mitochondrial Gene Expression in Offspring Brown Adipose Tissue”
- Winner: Margaret Endres, College of Arts and Sciences, advised by Professor Levi Todd. “Investigating the Role of Neutrophil Invasion on Neural Regeneration”
Social Science
- Honorable Mention: Junyi Liu, School of Information Studies, advised by Professor Christopher Dunham. “Does New York City’s Congestion Pricing Program Work? Evaluating NYC’s First Eight Months”
- Winner: Devin Nemirow, College of Arts and Sciences, advised by Professor Jessie Joyce. “Program Development, Implementation, and Evaluation for Quality Improvement in Harm Reduction Training: Addressing College Students’ Preparedness in CPR, Narcan Administration, and Basic Medical Emergencies”
Professional
- Honorable Mention: Kira Donegan, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs & SI Newhouse School of Public Communications, advised by Professor Harriet Brown. “Green Horizon: The Premium Climate Solutions Magazine“
- Winner: Bobby Battle, School of Education, advised by Professor George Theoharis. “The Miseducation of Black Kids in White Schools”
David Orlin Prize for Outstanding Thesis Project of 2026
- Winner: Bobby Battle, School of Education, advised by Professor George Theoharis. “The Miseducation of Black Kids in White Schools”
