Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Norwalk Student Research Award! The committee is excited to announce Jonathan Longmuir and Bucky Cancel as the 2025 finalists of this award recognizing excellence in student research at Norwalk Campus Library. Lauren V. De Luque Mendoza and Diona Haupt also received honorable mention for their work. Read the winning papers below.
Jonathan submitted two equally remarkable research projects for consideration, so the committee is recognizing him for his body of work as a whole. Jonathan’s first research project was written for U. S. History I taught by Philip Wax. The project is titled “Revolution in the Mind: Liberty, Power, and the Ideological Break Behind the American Revolution.” Jonathan uses “primary sources such as Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence, as well as scholarship by historians,” to argue that the American Revolution “was, at its core, a struggle over identity.” In his reflection on the research process, Jonathan writes, “I was surprised by how much the Revolution was influenced by ideas instead of just events. Enlightenment philosophy changed how people saw their place in the world, and that shift in mindset made the revolution possible. It made me realize that identity and ideology were just as important as taxes and battles.”
Jonathan’s second research project was written for English 1030 taught by Susan Gebhardt-Burns. The project is titled “Performing Masculinity in Modern Comedy: Vulnerability and Shifting Norms. In this work, Jonathan “argues that modern comedy, especially through digital platforms, is reshaping masculinity by normalizing emotional openness, challenging outdated gender norms, and showing audiences that connection is more valuable than control.” In his reflection on the research process, Jonathan writes, “I genuinely enjoyed working on this paper. It allowed me to mix academic analysis with something I care about in real life…This was meaningful because it showed me that comedy can do more than entertain. It can reflect cultural shifts and even lead them.” In his research projects for both HIST 1015 and ENG 1030, Jonathan demonstrates thoughtful engagement with the research process as he explores how changing ideas lead to changes in culture.
It is my great pleasure to introduce one of the winners of this year’s Library Research Paper Award: "Humor’s Intrinsic Connection to Humanity" by Bucky Cancel. Bucky’s paper stood out for its insightful and original exploration of humor as a cultural and communal response to adversity. Bucky takes on a complex topic with clarity and nuance, showing how humor emerges in every cultural group—even in the face of immense and ongoing tragedy—as a powerful act of healing, connection, resistance, and survival. Bucky’s inquiry-based research process resulted in a rich synthesis of primary and secondary sources, woven seamlessly with a compelling and authoritative personal voice. The paper engages readers with vivid, thoughtful examples and reflects a profound intellectual curiosity. As Bucky writes, “Humor’s role is to bridge...pain and connection...in a way that allows relief and strengthens the bonds vital to survival.” This is scholarly writing at its most human, and most inspiring.
Lauren’s paper was written for her English 1010 Composition class taught by Sharon Sobel. This timely and well-researched paper explores the vital role immigrants play in the U.S. economy and workforce. Through a thoughtful analysis of historical trends, economic data, and recent policy proposals, Lauren examines how both documented and undocumented immigrants contribute to the nation's prosperity. The paper also highlights the potential economic and social consequences of large-scale deportation policies, calling attention to the broader impact on national identity and economic stability. This work earned Honorable Mention for its clear argument, careful research, and strong engagement with a pressing national issue.
Diona’s paper was written for her English 1010 Composition class taught by Rachel Jasiczek. This thought-provoking paper explores the growing confusion consumers face when comparing food safety standards between the United States and the European Union. Diona’s research sheds light on how conflicting regulatory standards between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union (EU)—such as differing views on carbon monoxide-treated tuna—fuel misinformation and mistrust, especially when amplified on social media. The research highlights how misinformation spreads when scientific explanations are missing or misunderstood and calls for clearer communication from the FDA to help consumers better understand the science behind U.S. food safety standards. Diona’s paper earned Honorable Mention for its timely focus, strong analysis, and practical recommendations for improving public trust in food regulation.