Students in the Religious Studies Program have many opportunities to conduct research, gain experience in a variety of local, national, and international professional and community settings, as well as exploring their passions. Each year, an outstanding student in Religious Studies is recognized through the Department's thesis award. Opportunities to publish and present at scholarly or professional meetings are also supported by the department. 

Below are some examples of outstanding work done by recent students and alumni in REL. What have you always dreamed of doing? How might you use your studies to make a positive difference in your community and the world?

Jordan Walker and Waverly Sisson

Recent alumni Jordan Walker and Waverly Sisson, in partnership with Professor Abhi Ghosh, published portions of their thesis research in Mansi Gulati's recent book, Yoga and Mindfulness (Konark, 2018). The book was launched in connection with the Public Diplomacy Forum in India. 

Waverly Sisson

Won the Religious Studies Outstanding Thesis Award for her research on "Tritiya-Prakriti: Queering Religious Studies," Winter 2018.

Jordan Walker

Won the Religious Studies Outstanding Thesis Award for his research on "The Yoga Sutras," Fall 2017.

Sarah Smith

Won the Religious Studies Outstanding Thesis Award for her research on "Ghanaian Christianity and Negotiations of Power," Fall 2016.

Victoria Price

Won the Religious Studies Outstanding Thesis Award for her research on "Globalization, Modernization, And The Impacts Western Culture Has Had On An Ancient Practice: An Investigation Of Postural Yoga In America," Winter 2016.

A.J. Swieringa

Won the Religious Studies Outstanding Thesis Award for his research on "Sacred Words Beyond Sacred Texts: An Argument for Scholarly Work in the 'Christian Life' Literary Genre," Fall 2015.

Elizabeth Nienhouse

Won the Religious Studies Outstanding Thesis Award for her research on "Religion and Public Policy: Inclusion or Separation?" Winter 2015.

Lexi VanHaitsma

Won the inaugural Religious Studies Outstanding Thesis Award for her research on "Prophecy as Praxis: Why Mysticism is a Form of Intelligence," Winter 2014.