Silent Art Auction to Benefit Ph.D. Student Teri Jo Reese

Teri Jo Reese, a second year Ph.D. student in the Sociology Department, has recently been diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma -- a form of bone cancer. In the department, Teri Jo is known for her commitment to furthering academic research about veterans; especially those who choose to attend college after serving in foreign conflicts. She even helped the FSU sociology department create a class specifically for student veterans. She is also an active member of the Collegiate Veterans’ Association. Her research agenda also includes furthering understanding of masculinity and gender issues, specifically her Master’s paper is called "Gendered identity work: motivations for joining the Military". Teri Jo has just finished her second round of chemotherapy treatment, and though she feels physically ill, she is mentally strong and positive, however because her treatments are in Birmingham AL, she has had to take a leave of absence while she undergoes treatment. We would like nothing more than for our friend and collogue to return to FSU to continue her valuable research and community involvement.

To assist with medical costs, the Sociology Graduate Student Union has partnered with the Collegiate Veterans’ Association and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity to host a silent art auction benefit. A portion of the proceeds will also go to the Tallahassee Cancer Center at TMH to help those in the Tallahassee area who are also undergoing cancer treatment. The benefit, which we are calling, “Crafting Hope: Canvases Combating Cancer”, will be held in the Alumni Center Ballroom on March 29 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Please join us for a fun evening for a good cause! Along with beautiful artwork we will also be auctioning off pottery, handcrafted blankets, gift baskets, and gift certificates. A cash bar and light hors d’oeuvre will be available for your enjoyment as well as entertainment by local musicians. We hope to see you there.

Please download the flyer for more details.

Ryon Cobb Awarded

Ryon Jayson Cobb was recently awarded a Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health Related Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The award will support Ryon’s dissertation research, which explores religious variations in the disability trajectories of older Mexican Americans. The award is a supplement to a larger R01 grant that was funded by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities to examine the risk of long-term care in older Mexican-American families. Ryon is working closely with several mentors, including Drs. Jacqueline Angel (Professor of Public Affairs and Sociology, R01 PI, University of Texas at Austin), Terrence Hill (Assistant Professor of Sociology, Florida State University), and Jill Quadagno (Mildred and Claude Pepper Eminent Scholar in Social Gerontology and Professor of Sociology, Florida State University). Ryon Cobb is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Sociology at Florida State University. His primary research interests are in race and ethnic relations, religion, social epidemiology, and public opinion.

Veterans Research Course

The Department of Sociology is offering a special undergraduate research course for US military veterans during the Spring 2012 semester. Veterans will learn about qualitative methods by interviewing other campus veterans about their experiences in the service as well as their transitions into college. Students in the class will also learn how to use the sociology department’s state-of-the art qualitative research equipment, which was obtained through a $15,000 instructional technology grant awarded by FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. The course was conceived by professor Doug Schrock, graduate student Teri Jo Reese, and undergraduate sociology major and veteran Phil Lennon. “We wanted to create a class in which student veterans will learn marketable research skills that are usually taught only at the graduate level and also give them an opportunity to collectively reflect on their experiences,” explains Ms. Reese, whose fiancé is currently serving overseas. The students’ participation in the course is an integral part of an ongoing study about collegiate veterans’ experiences that aims to have implications for campus policies and programs. As Dr. Schrock put it, “We’ve designed the project not only to explore sociological issues, but also to help university administrators better understand veterans’ needs.” The sociologists believe that it is important to have veterans involved in the research because it will help keep the study grounded in veterans’ actual experiences and thus provide deeper insight into their situation. “As a veteran, I am very excited that the sociology department is offering the course because it will help the university meet [FSU] president Barron’s goal of becoming one of the most veteran-friendly universities in the nation,” explained Mr. Lennon.

Haley Gentile Receives Thesis Award

Senior Sociology student Haley Gentile has received a Bess H. Ward Honors Thesis Award from FSU for support of her research on intimacy formation and emotional management within interracial friendships. Under the direction of Dr. Annette Schwabe and with the support of Dr. Dan Tope and Dr. Jim Jones (History) who comprise the rest of her advisory committee, Haley is making use of semi-structured interviews in order to capture the rich personal narratives of those who have cross-race friends.

Haley grew up in South Florida with her mother, father and two younger siblings. After graduating from Cape Coral High School with an International Baccalaureate diploma, she followed in her father's footsteps (B.S. '86, J.D. '91) and enrolled at the Florida State University in 2009. She has excelled both in and out of the classroom. Most recently, she was announced as the co-editor of the second annual volume of The Owl, FSU’s undergraduate research journal. Although an undergraduate, Haley is currently enrolled in graduate courses. She aspires to obtain her PhD and continue her research as a university faculty member. Her interest lies in sociology of lifestyles as an umbrella for the study of intersectionality, cultural and historical sociology. Her hobbies include video games, Dungeons & Dragons, poetry, contemporary art and feminist activism.

Sociology Grad Students Participate in Angel Tree Gift Donation

On December 10th, 2011 the graduate students took part in the second annual Angel Tree gift donation, and purchased over $400.00 of clothing, toys, and books for area youth. The graduate students raised money through t-shirt sales and private donations. After the money was raised, students worked with the local Catholic Charities to find out what three children needed during the holiday season. Then, 14 graduate students took a trip to Target and worked in teams to fulfill the wishes of these Tallahassee children.

Faculty and Students Recognized

Several faculty and students were recognized during the Sociology Department's annual Honors Day, at the end of the spring semester. Awardees were selected by a committee made up of faculty and graduate students. Student award winners received a certificate and cash prize. The Faculty award winner received a plaque and the task of chairing the Awards Committee next year.

Dr. Tillman Receives Developing Scholar Award

Kathryn Tillman, Associate Professor of Sociology and Research Associate of the Center for Demography and Population Health, received a Developing Scholar Award from the FSU Council on Research and Creativity to extend her work on the emotional health and behavior of American youth, including health risks, immigration, and family networks. The Developing Scholar Award recognizes outstanding accomplishment in the early career and is intended to be a springboard to an increasing pace and professional impact during mid-career. The award is highly competitive, with eligibility covering the best newly tenured faculty from across campus. Kathi is the first member of the department to receive this award in almost twenty-five years.

Guiseppina Valle Receives Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award

Guiseppina Valle, a current doctoral student, received an “Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award” from FSU during the spring awards ceremony based on her teaching portfolio, objective ratings from her students, and letters of support from faculty mentors. Just being nominated for this award is a very positive recognition. Other Sociology students nominated by their students or faculty were Andrew Mannheimer, Amanda Poling, Teri Jo Reese, and Janet Weeks.