Three very different, some might say "esoteric" projects earned Class of 1897 Awards for their authors at the April 3 ceremony in Higgins House. Greg Amiro, a senior majoring in biotechnology, won for "The Rock 'n Roll Renaissance," a history of rock 'n roll with emphasis on the differences between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones; Andrea Kodys, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering with aerospace interests, was honored for "Promises, Policies and Goals: The U.S. Occupation of Haiti, 1915-1934," an examination of how economic concerns, security considerations, ideological beliefs and public opinion during the United States' occupation of Haiti earlier in this century affected America's foreign policy; and Mickey Lacroix, a senior chemistry major, received the award for "A Critique of Husserlian Phenomenology," his study of two of the dominant figures of European philosophical phenomenology. Each student received $150.
Amiro's faculty advisor was Douglas Weeks, administrator of applied music; James Watters, adjunt assistant professor of history, served as advisor to Kodys; and Bettina Bergo, visiting adjunct professor of philosophy, was Lacroix's faculty advisor. The winning projects were selected from the 19 sufficiencies awarded honorable mention; a total of 58 projects were considered by judges Steven Bullock, associate professor of history, Roger Gottlieb, professor of philosophy, and Laura Menides, associate professor of English.
Dean of Undergraduate Studies Emeritus William Grogan told the audience about the history of the awards - the second oldest (the Salisbury Awards were the first) offered at the university. Humanities and Arts Department Head Lee Fontanella said the variety and quality of each of the projects "attests to the diligent work of the students and their advisors."