Above and Beyond

GAMBIER, Ohio (May 27, 2009)

Seven students have received the Franklin Miller Award this year, for enriching academic and cultural life at Kenyon. Named for Professor Emeritus of Physics Franklin Miller Jr., the awards recognize unusual or significant contributions that may range from research and class projects, to volunteer activities, to performances, to writing for student publications.

The 2008-09 winners are:

• Meredith Blake '09, a history major with a concentration in women's and gender studies, for her research on and advocacy for the Roma (gypsies) of Central Europe. Blake's interest, which took root while she studied in Prague, grew into an impressively researched Senior Exercise and a personal commitment to fight discrimination against the Roma.
• Priscilla Erickson '09, a molecular biology major, for her outstanding Senior Exercise in biology and her sterling academic performance throughout her four years at Kenyon. Erickson also earned the highest score in recent memory on the biology assessment exam.
• Matthew Jacobson '09, a history major, for an excellent senior thesis on the history of Jamaican politics in the postcolonial era. Jacobson's thesis involved archival research in Kingston along with a number of interviews.
• William Koehler '11, a physics major, for exceptional work as a laboratory assistant in physics. Koehler provided careful, expert guidance to students as they worked on their lab papers, and he developed a knack for fixing equipment problems.
• Monica Kriete '11, a biochemistry major, for a superb laboratory paper in biology. Based on five weeks of experimentation, the paper went far beyond expectations in its analyses and used primary literature to explain confusing findings.
• Caleb Ruopp '09, a drama major, for his tireless behind-the-scenes work as a member of both the Chamber Singers and the Knox County Symphony. In addition to serving as a solid performer, Ruopp unfailingly volunteered to take on jobs ranging from moving the Chamber Singers' risers to caring for the concert programs and compact discs during the ensemble's spring tour.
• Pengyu "Alex" Zhao '10, a double major in economics and mathematics, for his short story "Twins," about two Chinese brothers whose lives are enmeshed in post-Tiananmen Square political life. One brother stays in China while the other flees to the United States. The story, in which they are reunited after eighteen years, subtly depicts their love and antagonism.