Michael F. Bassman Honors College Research Award
The Michael F. Bassman Honors Thesis Award recognizes excellence in research and writing by students in East Carolina University’s Honors College. In addition to the cash award, all Honors College students enjoy a dedicated study room in Joyner Library and graduate student borrowing privileges.
2023-2024 Guidelines
Theses are to be submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for graduation from East Carolina University and be approved by the Honors College. Theses/projects will be successfully submitted in Summer 2023, December 2023, and Spring 2024. Theses/projects must be fully completed before they can be considered for the Bassman Award.
Theses will be judged both on the quality of the research as well as the quality of the writing. The recipient of the award will exemplify the ideals of the Honors College of strong character, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to academic success. The winner of the award will also reflect in their coursework and extracurricular activities Dr. Bassman’s belief in the value of a liberal education.
The Committee may request that the candidate provide a transcript or listing of courses taken. The thesis/project must be submitted by the thesis/project advisor (or another faculty member familiar with the student and the quality of the student’s thesis/project work), with the student’s permission. It must be accompanied by a paragraph attesting to the quality of the research/project and to the best of your knowledge, whether this student reflects the ideals of the Honors College as expressed above – strong character, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to academic success.
Additional letters of faculty support are not required but may be submitted. Students who are nominated will also submit a resume if requested. Candidates will meet with the Bassman Award Committee in person or virtually for a brief interview prior to the decision.
Submission Instructions
An electronic copy (email attachment) should be sent to Bryna Coonin at cooninb@ecu.edu.
A cover sheet must accompany the paper, containing:
- Student’s name
- Local and/or permanent addresses
- Local and/or permanent telephone numbers
- Email address
- Advisor’s name
- Statement giving permission to post the paper/project on the Joyner Library website, and to deposit the thesis in The ScholarShip, the ECU Institutional Repository
Deadline: Entries must be submitted by March 22, 2024.
Papers/projects will be judged by a panel of judges comprised of faculty from Joyner Library as well as academic faculty from a relevant area, based upon the area of topic of the thesis.
Papers/projects will not be returned after the judging has been completed.
One winner will be selected. The winner will be notified by April 5, 2024 and will receive a cash award of $500. The winner will be recognized at the Honors College Medallion Ceremony in April 2024.
Only entries conforming to these rules may be considered.
For more information, please contact Bryna Coonin by phone (252) 328-0431 or e-mail.
About Dr. Michael Bassman
Dr. Michael F. Bassman is the first Distinguished Honors Professor for the Honors College at East Carolina University. Until his appointment to this position, he provided leadership and direction to the University Honors Program in his role as Associate Vice Chancellor for the University Honors Program.