2024-2025 College Research Awards
The Harriot College Research Award program provides support for departments to reassign faculty for a semester in recognition of their need to have sustained and dedicated periods to devote to a project involving research or creative activity.
Applications were submitted with departmental and personnel committee involvement and then were reviewed by a committee made up of three faculty members representing the full breadth of the liberal arts and sciences. They submitted a ranked list of their recommendations with descriptions of the strengths and weaknesses of applications, with the final selection made by the dean.
Dean Allison Danell is pleased to announce two faculty members will receive 2024-2025 Harriot College Research Awards. Awardees are Dr. Regina “Ginni” DeWitt, associate professor in the Department of Physics, and Dr. Todd Bennett, associate professor in the Department of History.
DeWitt’s application was titled “How are luminescence properties of Antarctic quartz correlated with geographic location?” Her unique collection of samples, laboratory experience and the potential for establishing new sampling strategies highlights the project’s impact on the field.
“Dr. DeWitt presented an achievable timeline and the outcomes — an NSF proposal, a manuscript and public access data — are notable,” Danell said.
Bennett’s application, “American Fireworks: A History of the United States in Five Moments, 1776-1976” is for a book that can reach a broad public audience. This book’s unique focus on the American Revolution at 50-year intervals, and its possible use as a student textbook, will potentially impact teaching in the field of American History. The book is under contract with a reputed popular press and has firmly scheduled deadlines. It is slated for release in 2026 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States.
“Congratulations to both DeWitt and Bennett and thank you to all of the applicants and the review committee for their investment of time and expertise to make this a rich competition,” Danell said. “It’s especially exciting to reintroduce this award after a multi-year absence and to prioritize resourcing it for more than one recipient.”