Two CAS students tied for University Runner-Up. Leah Barr, Department of Psychology, is being honored for her thesis, Factors of Emotional Expression and the Relations Between Expression Style and Depression and Anxiety. Barr's thesis was directed by Dr. Jeffrey Kahn. "Of the thesis projects I have chaired, Leah's was the best-written thesis, and it reflected the most thoroughly analyzed data set," said Kahn. "Her thesis integrated literatures from diverse areas of psychology: personality, clinical, and interpersonal relationships." Jennifer Witt, Department of English, is being recognized for Feminism Across Generations: Lyrics, Academia, and Feminist Youth Culture. Dr. Cynthia Huff directed Witt's thesis.

"We are proud of the accomplishments of our students in the College of Arts and Sciences," said Dr. Sally Parry, Associate Dean. "The fact that the winning theses came from a range of departments throughout the College demonstrates that our faculty are dedicated not only to excellent teaching but to assisting students in pursuing meaningful research." The Fisher award is named in honor of alumnus and former Illinois State University administrator James Fisher, who is president emeritus of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He is also president emeritus of Towson State University in Maryland and currently is a consultant on higher education and a professor of Leadership and Philanthropic Studies at the Union Institute. Fisher, a College alumnus, was inducted into the College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 2006.