Tredway Library Prize for First-Year Research

The Tredway Library Prize for First-Year Research recognizes an outstanding research project by a first-year Augustana student for a class in the First Year Inquiry or First Year Honors sequence. The award promotes students' active engagement in the processes of library research and encourages them to synthesize information literacy skills with the reading, writing and critical thinking skills developed in the first-year sequence.

Amount of prize - $400

Qualifications - Projects must display evidence of substantial library research. Only projects completed by first-year students in one of Augustana's first-year sequences will qualify. Eligible classes are:

• First Year Inquiry: FYI 101 or FYI 102
• First Year Honors: FYH 101 or FYH 102

Complete applications will consist of the following:

• The research project, including bibliography
• A two- to three-paragraph reflection written by the student about their research experience, including, but not limited to, skills employed and learned, problems encountered, and how those problems were addressed. (Please put the title of your research project on the reflection.)
• A copy of the assignment sheet or assignment description for the project
• A statement of support from the faculty member for whom the project was completed. The statement should be submitted by the faculty member directly to Christine Aden, Head of Circulation, either in person or via campus mail or email

Applications should be submitted electronically using the library prize application form.

Due date and timeline - The due date is the Friday after finals week in spring semester: Friday, June 2, 2023. A student may submit only one project. To receive the prize, the student must return to Augustana for their sophomore year.

The prize will be awarded during the fall semester of the following school year. The winning student will also be recognized at the Recognition of Student Honors in spring semester of the following school year.

Projects will be judged by a panel of two librarians and one member of the teaching faculty, according to the following criteria:

1. The research project displays its author's mastery of information literacy skills:
   • Student has located and obtained a wide variety of research materials
   • Student displays willingness to "dig" beyond the most obvious sources to find materials that are challenging to locate and/or employ; in other words, student clearly understands the processes and demands of in-depth research
   • Student has applied the research materials judiciously and synthesized them skillfully in service of the question their project addresses

2. The research project is well-written and well-organized
3. The research project takes a creative and original approach to its subject
4. The research project cites all sources consistently and correctly according to a standard citation style appropriate to its topic
5. The two- to three-paragraph written reflection demonstrates growth in the student's research and information literacy skills

Augustana Digital Commons - The winning student will be asked for permission to publish their project in Augustana Digital Commons.

Past Winners - Click on a winner's name to read their project:

Brandon Johnson (2022)

Kara West (2021)

Alison Lawrence (2020)

Laura Keenan (2019)

Devin Oliva-Farrell (2018)

Jack Harris (2017)

Rob Williams (2016)

Ninna Mendoza (2015)

Aaron Volk (2013)

Natali Bode (2012)

Maureen Zach (2011)

Scott Fick (2010)