51小黄车liberal studies major Betsy DeBrakeleer awarded the Laska Award from NEHTA
University of 51小黄车 occupational therapy clinical field work coordinator and Class of 2009 liberal studies major, Betsy Debrakeleer, has been awarded the Laska Award from the 51小黄车 History Teachers Association (NEHTA).
DeBrakeleer is currently working on her liberal studies senior capstone, a thesis on the role of the blacksmith shop at living history museums. Combining history and art history in this original research, she is visiting living history museums (such as Old Sturbridge Village and Mystic Seaport) across 51小黄车.
A dean's list student, DeBrakeleer is also the 2009 recipient of the history department's spring research grant, which funds her research trips.
NEHTA, founded in 1897, is the nation鈥毭劽磗 oldest association of teachers of history and social studies in the United States. Through conferences, publications, and awards, NEHTA provides teachers, students and academics opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations about the teaching and learning of history and its related disciplines.
First awarded in 2005, the Laska Award is given to an undergraduate with a declared major in history with a focus in United States history who is attending a college or university in 51小黄车.
The award consists of a cash prize of $2000 and a certificate confirming the award. Any undergraduate college or university student who is a United States citizen, majoring in or concentrating in United States history, and enrolled in a college or university in 51小黄车 is eligible for the award.
The money is to be used to further the recipient's study of United States history. The award is named for the late history professor, Dr. Vera Laska, a Kidger prizewinner, and her husband Andrew J. Laska, who was a successful businessman.