Announcing the winners of the 2025 UIC Library English 161 Awards
Introduction
Beginning in Fall 2020, the UIC library annually awards undergraduate students in recognition of their academic excellence in searching, evaluating and unifying sources to develop impactful research. The UIC Library English 161 Award recognizes the admirable efforts and written compositions of UIC students.
Each semester, English 161 instructors are prompted to select exceptional student papers. The eligibility criteria require nominees to write a short essay-style reflection on the assignment, including their research approach, writing process, new discoveries and the overall learning experience. Contenders are judged by a panel of UIC librarians.
The UIC Library encourages student success in English 161 with one or more class sessions on research techniques. Assistance with individual research inquiries can be requested in-person or electronically through the “Chat with a Librarian” feature on the library website.
Congratulations to the 2025 Winners of the UIC Library English 161 Awards!
First Prize: “Beyond Fillings and Implants: Lab-Grown Teeth as an Avenue to Growing Perfect Teeth” by Sivani Potnuru
Sivani Potnuru stated, “[The library] helped me think about research as an intentional and creative process. Learning to combine keywords, use subject-specific filters, and follow citation trails completely changed how I approach scholarly work…treat the library not just as a place to find information, but as a space for collaboration and exploration.” Instructor Todd Sherfinski noted, “The paper illustrates how examining boundaries often leads to meaningful conversation. In this case, the boundaries are between restorative and cosmetic dentistry.”
The librarian judge reported, ”The paper offers a thorough analysis of both sides of the debate and thoughtfully positions the lab-grown tooth between them. I appreciate the author's clear writing style.”
Second Prize: “Western Beauty Ideals and Their Influence on Young Women in Pakistan and India” by Maira Haq
Maira Haq stated, “When I visited the library with my English 161 class, the staff did a really good job explaining how to use the academic databases. Before that, the whole research process felt pretty overwhelming, but that session gave me a solid starting point and made it a lot easier to find strong, reliable sources. It definitely made everything feel more manageable and less confusing in an array of various sources”
Instructor Tricia Park noted, “Beginning with a strong hook, this paper is an engaging, absorbing read and flows well.” The librarian judge reported,“The paper presents a clear thesis statement, and the writer’s logical progression helps the reader follow the argument.”
Third Prize: “The Cultural Revolution of Human: Asian Comedians Combatting Systemic Racism” by Cherise Lee
Cherise Lee stated, “My advice to future students is to take full advantage of the resources available to UIC students. If you are unsure of where to start, use the "Chat with a Librarian" feature on the UIC Library website. UIC has a plethora of databases to choose from for any research project, and if you're stuck, simply reaching out is the best way to navigate through challenging research questions.”
Instructor Wes McGehee noted, "Student's synthesis is subtle yet undeniably proficient--this is the case for most if not all of the instances. Student takes on a topic which investigates both the systemic and systematical racism towards Asian Americans in the United States Entertainment Industry.”
The librarian judge reported, “Outstanding research question and excellent organization.”