Religious Studies: Class Notes

2000s

The following Religious Studies students received awards and honors at the end of the Spring 2005 semester.

Rachel Aiken, who graduated with a concurrent degree in Psychology, received the department’s Best Concurrent Major award. Rachel is now off to Seattle where she plans to open her own restaurant.

Alex Ginsburg received a Jewish Studies Scholarship this May. Alex is spending the summer in South Africa with ASU's Summer Abroad program.

Ryan Riedel, who graduated with a concurrent degree in Spanish, received the department’s Community Service award. Incidentally, he also received the same award from the Honor’s college. Ryan will be taking time off before graduate school to continue his research in Mexico.

Erin Lanus, a concurrent major in Psychology, received the department’s Norton Grant for Women's Studies in Religion. Erin will be off to Japan for a semester to study Women’s role in Zen Buddhism.

Eric Lind, who graduated with a concurrent degree in Philosophy, received the department’s Best Graduate award. Eric also received an Honor’s award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Eric is next off to South Africa to assist in the summer abroad program, but he recently notified us that he will be spending next year in South Africa having been awarded a Fulbright Grant.

Rebecca Webb-Gourrinat, a concurrent major with English, received our Outstanding Contribution to the Religious Studies Department award. Not only has Rebecca been instrumental in organizing the Religious Studies Society, she are created as part of her Honor’s thesis a website that is a real resource for students searching for an academic and useful center for information on all things religious. Rebecca was also this year’s recipient of the Dean’s Circle Scholarship.

Kody Kness, '04, In February 2005, Kody accepted an internship with the National Committee on United States - China Relations in New York City. He plans to begin a Fulbright scholarship in Korea summer, 2005.