Winner of the 2014 Library Prize for Undergraduate Research

Congratulations are in order for Holly Evans, a senior English major from Andrews, SC. Holly was awarded the Coker College Library Prize for Undergraduate Research for her Senior Seminar paper titled “Iola Leroy, or, Shadows Uplifted: The Politics of African American Literary Criticism during the Last Century” at the Honors Convocation March 25, 2014. The 20 page paper reflects on the history of reader response to the text of Iola Leroy, or, Shadows Uplifted.

Evans began her research journey after choosing a research topic and realizing she needed to clarify her research question and topic. “Essentially, it was research that led me in the direction I went and helped me to refine my paper,” said Evans. In the process of writing her senior seminar paper Evans realized research took an inventive mind. ” In order to get the information needed, I had to get creative and resourceful with the research methods. I had to utilize the aid of professors...also, I spent a lot of time working with the research librarians.”

Her hard work showed says professor of English Jasna Shannon, “Holly chose her topic carefully and purposefully…[her] writing and research skills developed and progressed as she moved from draft to draft and final revision of her thesis. Her thesis was certainly original and demonstrated strong writing skills, correct use of citations and skillful integration of sources that reflect multiple perspectives.”

Evans is an active student and volunteer. She is President of Excursions Literary Magazine and Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society, a Senior Sparrow Scholar and a tutor in the Writer’s Studio. She is also a resident assistant and does regular community service at Rosenwald Elementary/Middle School. After graduation this May she plans to take some time off and then continue her education in graduate school.

With support from the Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library and the Coker College Undergraduate Research Program, the Library Prize was established in 2013 to encourage the use of library research techniques and to honor the best research project produced each year by Coker College undergraduate students.

Entries for the prize are judged on originality, depth, breadth and the demonstration of a sophisticated use of library collections, the ability to select, evaluate, synthesize and use library resources in the creation of a project as well as evidence of personal growth through the acquisition of new-found knowledge.
                                                                                                                                        --Emily Mann