Steven Beeman, Ph.D. student in the Iowa State University Department of Sociology, won the Graduate College Research Excellence Award. According to the Graduate College, the purpose of the award is to “recognize graduate students for outstanding research accomplishments as documented in their theses and dissertations. These students are also expected to be academically superior and able to not only do research, but develop a well-written product.” There can be only one Research Excellence Award recipient from the sociology department each academic year. The award consists of a letter of commendation from the ISU President, a certificate of achievement signed by the ISU President and the Graduate Dean, and an honor cord to be worn at graduation.