Penn State Penn State: College of the Liberal Arts

Three Political Science Majors Win Thesis Awards

Three Political Science Majors Win Thesis Awards

Abigail Luke’s thesis, “When Non-Conformity Trumps Partisanship: Modern American Populism in the 2016 Primaries” received first place honors at the Undergraduate Research Exhibition held in April. Professor Pete Hatemi advised Abby’s thesis. 

Abby also is a co-winner of the Political Science Department’s Mike Gilotti /Pi Sigma Alpha Best Thesis Award.  She shares this award with Jenni Castoe, whose thesis, “Equivalency Frames in the #Metoo Era: Do They Matter?“ was advised by Professor Eric Plutzer. 

Erin Doolin’s thesis, “Female Judges Sentence Harder than Male Judges in Sex Offense Cases,” won the Gerard A. Hauser Award, the top prize given at the Undergraduate Research Exhibition.  Her thesis advisor is Jeffrey Ulmer, Professor of Sociology and Criminology. 

Congratulations to Abby, Jenni, and Erin on your award-winning scholarship!

Three Political Science Majors Win Thesis Awards