RELEASED: May 16, 2002

DANVILLE, KY-Ten Centre seniors were honored this year as part of the John C. Young Scholars program. Each was chosen to collaborate with a Centre professor in advanced research and the culmination of their work was presented at a symposium Saturday, May 11.

The John C. Young Scholars Program offers outstanding seniors an opportunity to engage in independent work, guided by faculty mentors, in their major discipline or in an interdisciplinary area of their choosing. Each student receives a stipend to cover expenses related to his or her project and the results of their research are subsequently published.

This year's scholars and their topics are as follows. Michael Dennis of Paducah collaborated with faculty member Chris Barton, professor of biology, on the effects of species interactions on reproductive behavior and success. Kent Barnett of Shelbyville worked with Bill Levin, professor of art history, on the historic, philosophic, social and market implications of major twentieth-century art forgeries.

Matt Wilson of Keavy, with Jane Joyce as his mentor, studied Images of powerful women in ancient Rome. Stephanie Rednour of Mason, Ohio, mentored by Professor of Physics Marshall Wilt and Associate Professor of Physics Phil Lockett, looked at an applied simulation of quantum cryptography and an examination of a component of a quantum cryptography apparatus.

Les Fugate of Prestonsburg worked with David Anderson, associate professor of economics, on an economic impact study of the 2000 U.S. vice presidential debate that was held at Centre College. Thomas Hobbs of Hardinsburg collaborated with Tom McCollough, professor of religion, on the archaeology and social arrangement of late Roman and Byzantine Galilee.

Katherine Lacy of Louisville, with Professor of Modern Languages Ken Keffer as her mentor, studied a critical edition of Grace Norton's letters to Lucy Paton (1905-1925). Erin Slinker of Greenville worked with Phyllis Passariello, professor of anthropology, to explore the changing face of the culture of the Lacandones, an indigenous tribe of Indians living in the rainforest of Mexico.

Steve Anderson of Louisville, along with Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science Christine Shannon, looked at the natural language abstraction of computer functionality. Tony Hokayem of Knoxville, Tenn. collaborated with Bob Martin, professor of economics, on the connections between subsidies, stadiums and sports.

During Saturday's symposium, the John C. Young Scholars and faculty mentors for 2002-03 also were announced. Eva Bookjans will collaborate with Marshal Wilt. Susan Courtwright will work with Lori Hartmann-Mahmud, visiting assistant professor of international studies. Katherine Fegley will study with Nayef Samhat, associate professor of government and international studies. Neil Parrish will collaborate with Mark Rasmussen, associate professor of English. Brandi Sterns will work with Mark Lucas, professor of English.

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