15th Dittman Library Research Competition Winners

April 2012—Raynor Memorial Libraries announces the results of the 15th Maria Dittman Library Research Competition. The winners were recognized at an informal reception in the Prucha Archives Reading Room on April 13th, as part of the Libraries' celebration of National Library Week.

• Freshman/Sophomore: Katie Sass for her paper, “Alaric: King of the Visigoths and Tool of the Romans,” written for History 3210 with Dr. Lezlie Knox

• Junior/Senior: Anne Richmond for her paper, “The Disadvantages of a Disparate Health Care System,” written for Economics 4012 with Dr. David Clark

• Graduate/Professional: Kathryn Jackan for her paper, “Virginia Pomeroy,” written for Law 7430 with Dr. Phoebe Weaver Williams

The competition is launched each January and all Marquette students are invited to submit their A-grade papers from the previous calendar year. Competition guidelines and a list of past winners are maintained online. As past committee chair Mary Frenn said, "The competition gives library staff an opportunity to connect with a group of talented students who make the most of what the library offers. We know many winners have gone on to success in master's and doctoral programs."

Staff of the University Libraries conceived the competition in 1997 to honor retiring instruction librarian Maria Dittman, who taught research skills to thousands of students in her 25+ years at the university. The first awards were made in 1998, funded entirely by the Librarians' Assembly. When Maria Dittman passed away in 2005, her family designated the Dittman Competition for memorial gifts, ensuring a long future for the competition. A permanent plaque for the award was commissioned and hangs near the entrance to the bridge. An elected committee of librarians and support staff organize the annual competition and awards. This year's committee includes Scott Mandernack, Kerry Olivetti (chair), Phil Runkel, Nia Schudson and Elizabeth Wawrzyniak.