IOA Students Win Awards and Scholarships

Brenda Sulick received an AARP Scholars Award from the AARP Office of Academic Affairs and is in the first class of AARP Scholars. AARP Scholars receive a $10,000 scholarship and participate in leadership training in Washington, DC. Brenda is doctoral candidate in Public Administration and Policy. She is writing her dissertation on "Media Framing of the Social Security Privatization Debate." Brenda also directs the Oregon Geriatric Education Center's Resource Center, which provides materials to Oregon health care providers and is a teaching assistant to Dr. Elizabeth Kutza.

Ann McQueen is a second-year doctoral student working toward her Ph.D. in Urban Studies with a focus on Gerontology. Ann is this year's recipient of the $1,000 Fred Annin "Passion for Seniors" scholarship awarded by the Oregon Health Care Foundation. Her research interests involve humor and its role in promoting better cognitive and physical health in seniors, particularly those with dementia. She is a graduate research assistant to Dr. Jason Newsom. In addition to her studies, Ann participates in MOVE (Making Oregon Vital for Elders), Oregon's elder care culture change movement; volunteers for the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association; and teaches cycling classes at her local gym.

Alan DeLaTorre is a forth-year doctoral student working toward his Ph.D. in Urban Studies and Planning with a focus on urban planning and aging. This year Alan received one of two $500 scholarships awarded by the Oregon Retired Educators Association to PSU students interested in gerontology. Alan's research interests lie in the intersection of the built environment and an aging population. In his spare time, he is an avid skateboarder and soccer player.

Julie Guenette Howard, Ph.D., received her doctorate in Urban Studies with a focus on Gerontology in June, 2005. She was a recipient of one of two $500 scholarships awarded in 2004-05 to PSU graduate students in gerontology by the Oregon Retired Educators Association. Her dissertation was entitled, "Marital Dyads and Crossover Effects in Retirement Adjustment and Well-Being."