The USU College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHaSS) have announced their 2024 award winners. Award winning members of the USU English Department include: Senior Lecturer Russ Beck, Technical Communication and Rhetoric PhD student Hannah Stevens, undergraduate Preston Waddoups, undergraduate Basil Payne, and undergraduate Samantha Wallace.
Russ Beck was awarded Undergraduate Faculty Mentor of the Year for 2024. “I've taught off and on at USU for around 20 years now,” says Russ. “I love the student body because I am the student body. I'm from rural Utah and have lived in Utah by choice for most of my life. I was particularly pleased and surprised to get this award. It means a lot to be recognized by a university that I love.”
Hannah Stevens was awarded Doctoral Student Researcher of the Year. Hannah notes, “The entire Technical Communication and Rhetoric program, professors, and students were instrumental in my ability to do this important research, particularly my dissertation chair Dr. Rebecca Walton. She motivates me every day to be a better scholar, researcher, and person and I could not do any of this without her! I moved across the country for this program, and it has been one of the greatest experiences. I am so thankful to the TCR program, the English department, CHaSS, and the university for the opportunities I’ve had during my time in the doctoral program.”
Preston Waddoups received the CHaSS Valedictorian award. Preston is a double major in Philosophy and English with an emphasis in Literature. While at USU, he has enjoyed being part of several campus organizations, such as the Ethics Bowl team, the Philosophy Club, Sink Hollow magazine, and the Sigma Tau Delta English honor society. He has also enjoyed working as a teaching fellow, a writing fellow, and a copy editor at the library. Preston plans to attend graduate school after completing his studies at USU to research modernist literature and philosophical aesthetics. “Being the CHaSS valedictorian is an incredible honor,” he says. “And it makes me reflect on all the great opportunities and relationships I’ve had at USU. I’ve had so many wonderful professors who take a genuine interest in their courses and go out of their way to support students, and I’ve been lucky to have access to research, work, and extracurricular opportunities that have helped me grow as a student of English and a person.”
Basil Payne was awarded Undergraduate Researcher of the Year: “To me, being awarded the Undergraduate Researcher of the Year Award shows that I actually have been trying my best. When I'm working on my research or my projects, I always have this bitter, nagging feeling that I'm never putting in enough work or that what I'm doing does not matter in the slightest. This award is a helpful reminder to trust in myself and the work that I have been doing---it's kind of like an academic gold star!”
“Obviously, I've developed as a writer during my time with the English program,” reflects Samantha Wallace, who won the Kiwanis Award. “More importantly, I've learned how to communicate effectively. I've loved getting discuss concepts with my peers and consider other perspectives on a variety of issues. Cliché though it sounds, I'm honored to receive this award. I feel so lucky to have been provided with the opportunities and mentorship that have allowed me to give back and support my peers.”