Benson Student Research Fellows to Present at PLU

By Michael Halvorson, Benson Chair in Business and Economic History.

On Friday, December 8, 2017, three PLU students will present the results of their summer research projects in a public presentation connected to PLU’s Business and Economic History program. The presenters are Michael Diambri, Teresa Hackler, and Alex Lund, and each spent the summer of 2017 working with a faculty mentor to research and write a significant research project on Northwest business and economic history.

Each original project was supported by a generous donation from the Benson Family Foundation, and also the expert guidance of faculty members Beth Kraig (History), Karen Travis (Economics), and Rebekah Mergenthal (History), who worked with the students throughout the summer.

Michael Diambri’s research project is entitled “A Queer Place: Exploring Historical Case Studies of Seattle’s Queer Bars and Clubs.” Michael is working towards a History degree at PLU and is scheduled to graduate in May, 2018. Teresa Hackler’s project is entitled “Exclusion laws in Oregon and the context of African American health outcomes.” Teresa is a History major on the way to nursing school, scheduled to graduate from PLU after J-term 2018. Alex Lund’s project is entitled “Trains, Grains, and Elevators: Economic and Cultural Shifts of Agricultural Communities in Northeastern Montana, 1910-2003.” Alex is a double major (Biology and History), who plans to graduate from PLU in May, 2018.

The presentations are open to the public and take place from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Xavier 250 on the PLU campus. For more information, contact Benson Chair Michael Halvorson (halvormj@plu.edu).

Are you interested in paid summer research?

Current PLU students interested in conducting research during Summer 2018 are most welcome to explore the program. Review the Benson fellowship application process and apply by April 1, 2018.