Doctoral students named University Dames Scholars
Oct. 12, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Two doctoral students have been awarded the 2000-01 University Dames Endowed Scholarship, which goes to a Western Michigan University graduate student, with preference given to women who have successfully completed 15 credit hours of graduate work.
Both recipients, Dalene Allebaugh of Galesburg, Mich., and Susan Snycerski of Portage, Mich., are pursuing degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences.
They each received $550 to apply toward tuition, fees and books. The award is made possible through the WMU Women's Association and the University Dames and is administered by the University's Graduate College.
Allebaugh is working toward a doctor of philosophy degree in political science. Her dissertation topic is "Term Limits and Their Electoral Impact."
Allebaugh has taught courses at WMU, Ferris State University, Kalamazoo College and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. In addition, she has presented her research at professional conferences, had her work published in professional journals and been recognized by WMU for her research.
That recognition has included, selection as one of 10 recipients of the University's Graduate Opportunity for Long-Term Development Grant and selection in two different years to receive the John H. Borsos Scholarship. She also was one of only 12 students to receive the University-wide Research and Creative Scholar Award for the 2000-01 academic year.
Allebaugh came to WMU in 1997 after completing a bachelor of arts degree in political science at Central Washington University. She received a master of arts degree in political science from WMU in 1998 and expects to complete her doctoral degree in the 2001-02 academic year.
Snycerski is working toward a doctor of philosophy degree with a concentration in experimental analysis of behavior. Her dissertation is on "The Effects of Delayed Consequences on Acquisition of Lever-Press Responding in Rats."
In addition to teaching several courses at WMU, Snycerski has presented her research at professional conferences as well as written articles for professional journals and chapters for several books.
The WMU Department of Psychology recognized her scholarship and teaching by selecting her for a University-wide Graduate Research and Creative Scholar Award in 1998 and a Graduate Teaching Effectiveness Award this past spring. A campuswide committee also chose her and just 14 others to receive the All-University Graduate Student Teaching Effectiveness Award.
Snycerski came to WMU in 1996 after completing a bachelor of science degree in psychology at Central Michigan University. She received a master of arts degree in psychology from WMU in 1999 and expects to complete her doctoral degree in 2002.
For more information about the annual WMU Dames Endowed Scholarship, contact Kevin Vichcales, coordinator of graduate student financial aid in the Graduate College, at (616) 387-8208 or <kevin.vichcales@wmich.edu>.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 616 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu
