Outstanding Master's Thesis Award presented to Environmental Studies graduate Chris Young

Environmental Studies graduate student Chris Young of Springfield was presented with the University of Illinois Springfield’s Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award for the 2012-13 academic year during a reception on February 3, 2014 in the Public Affairs Center.

Young’s thesis was entitled “Response of the Franklin’s Ground Squirrel to Recreational Trail Development in Springfield, Illinois.” Young is the outdoors news editor for The State Journal-Register newspaper. He was advised by Associate Professor Tih-Fen Ting.

Graduate biology major Nathan Grider of Donnellson was presented with the Special Merit Award for his thesis entitled “Growth, Condition, and Diet of Alligator Gar (Atractosteus Spatula) Released in Merwin Preserve.” He was advised by Professor Michael Lemke.

The following students received their departments’ Outstanding Thesis or Project Award for 2012-13 and were nominated for the UIS Outstanding Master’s Thesis/Project competition: Adam Bell of Naperville, Educational Leadership; Juanita Blanco of Champaign, Political Science; Kristen Chenoweth of Jacksonville, English; Ryan Nelson of Rockford, History; Blake Wood of Springfield, Communication.

For more information, contact Derek Schnapp at 217/206-6716 or dschn3@uis.edu.