Our field and Department benefit tremendously from the efforts of our graduate students to engage the public and contribute to our diverse community. The Ann S. Tuttle Citizenship, Engagement, and Outreach Prize recognizes these important contributions. This prize is given to a current graduate student for exceptional effort and impact in outreach, public engagement, or service to our field, University, or Department. 

 

The award was endowed by the estate of Ann Tuttle. Ms. Tuttle set up the fund to show her appreciation for the kindness shown her by Ann and Gerald Newsom (Gerald is a long-time professor and former chair of the department). 

 

This year, two nominees stood out as really exceptional. The committee is very pleased to award the Ann S. Tuttle award to both Alison Duck and Joy Bhattacharyya. 

Alison has been a model citizen and department member, devoting an enormous amount of time and energy to outreach, engagement, and education.  Her efforts include the organization and leadership of Polaris, where she has been involved as a mentor since her first semester at OSU. Alison also organized the inaugural year of URSA. Overall, Alison has worked with over 80 students through the Polaris program.  She has also been involved in extending this work to other universities via her participation in Access Assembly. Alison has also participated in outreach events, including FOSAA, the COSI Science Festival, Columbus Clippers events, and eclipse events, and served on the local organizing committee for the Great Lakes Exoplanet Area Meeting in Autumn 2022.   

 

Joy Bhattacharyya is someone who steps up, without anyone needing to ask. She has been one of the most active, engaged graduate students presenting at and running coffee for years. She has taken over leading the Women & Gender Minorities group, including organizing lunches and events related to grad recruiting. In addition to her mentoring activities in Polaris, Joy has been the lead mentor for SURP student Nicole Fedor and first-year physics student Fish Yu. Joy’s biggest role recently has been to serve as grad rep, acting as a liaison between the graduate students and the faculty and an advocate for students inside the department. Here she has done a thoughtful, important job advocating for students, organizing student efforts inside the department, and keeping the lines of communication open. 

 

Please join me in congratulating Alison and Joy!