Undergraduate Studies Updates

Sociology Faculty and 2025 Sociology Graduates pose in front of Campanile

Undergraduate Studies Committee and Updates

Members of the Undergraduate Studies Committee for 2024-2025 were Tracey LaPierre (Director), Liz Felix, Kevin McCannon, Kelly Sharron, Paul Stock, and Lisa-Marie Wright. 

After years of work and persistence, the new BA/BGS in Health and Society received final approval and is included in the 2025-2026 academic catalogue. Starting in 2025, students in the Criminal Justice major in the School of Professional Studies will be able to complete a concentration in Critical Criminology that consists of a curriculum designed and offered by the Sociology Department. The Sociology major also received an update to the requirements, reducing it from 33 to 30 credits by requiring one fewer jr/sr elective. This will make it easier for students to double major.

Undergraduate Recognition Ceremony

At our 2025 Undergraduate Recognition Ceremony, faculty, graduates, family and friends gathered for a ceremony and reception honoring our graduating majors and their notable achievements.

Rachael Hampton was recognized as our Outstanding Graduate. 

Melanie Flores and Eden Westfahl were Candidates for Graduation with Highest Distinction. 

Two students graduated with Departmental Honors: Rachael Hampton (Thesis: The Effects of Criminal Justice Involvement in Adolescence on Educational Attainment and Income in Young Adulthood; Mentor: Associate Professor Tracey LaPierre) and Grace Price-Brown (Thesis: The Impact of Parental Relationships in Adolescence on Deviant Behavior in Early Adulthood; Mentor: Associate Professor Tracey LaPierre). Both Rachael and Grace received Undergraduate Research Awards to support their research, and presented their findings in Chicago at the annual Mid-West Sociological Society Meeting.

Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards

The Department was pleased to offer $12,000 in undergraduate scholarships for our majors, distributed in Fall 2024. 

The recipients were Tyler Bridges, Veronica Dervin, Mayah Dorsey, Mary Edwards, Taylor Gaulter, Rachael Hampton, Megan Long, Zoe Ortiz, Grace Price, Jaina White, Lonie Wu. 

In addition, Melanie Flores, Rachael Hampton, Clara Ketchell, Megan Long, Kayla Nguyen, and Grace Price-Brown were recognized with Rising Star Awards.