Award-Winning Thesis in Anthropology by Riley Millburne '24 Wins Vannicelli Award from Washington University
The J.D. Power Center at the College of the Holy Cross recently hosted a series of presentations, each introducing a student who had completed a remarkable thesis during the Washington Semester Program.
The events kicked off with an introduction by Michelle Sterk-Barrett, the director of the J.D. Power Center. She acknowledged the presence of former DC program director Gary DeAngelis and welcomed the new program director, Chris Murray.
One of the standout presentations belonged to Riley Millburne, a senior at the university. Riley's thesis, titled "DC Lobbying, Policymaking, and Networking: A Sociotechnical Perspective," was advised by Maurizio Vannicelli and earned her the Maurizio Vannicelli Washington Semester Away Program Award.
Riley's presentation was a mix of humor and insight, as she challenged common stereotypes about lobbying and delved into the complexities of the industry. Her integration of her Anthropology major into her research was commended, as it showcased her experiential learning and the blending of practical, historical, academic, and theoretical aspects.
Riley's project, which included observations from client meetings and political events at Flywheel Government Solutions, was praised for its use of ethnographic research. Her work was so impressive that Chris Murray, the new program director, remarked that it "couldn't have happened while she was on campus."
Another recipient of the Vannicelli Award was Ethan Bachand '22, who presented his thesis titled "Renewable Energy Policy in a Changing World" on November 4th.
The talks, which were held in Rehm Library and open to the Holy Cross community, were titled according to the thesis topics. Each presentation was introduced by the director of the J.D. Power Center, setting the stage for the students to share their findings.
Caitlin Daniels, a member of the class of 2018, also presented a public lecture on September 28th, winning the Maurizio Vannicelli Washington Semester Program Prize for her thesis titled "Gender, Elections, and How Women Win (Or Don't)".
The Vannicelli Prize is another award given to students for their thesis work during the Washington Semester Program. Ben Vesey '22 spoke about his Vannicelli Award-winning thesis titled "Combating Forced Labor Internationally: A Case Study of Labor Reforms in the Uzbekistan Cotton Sector" on November 18th.
Riley's project was recognised at graduation, with a bound copy of her project provided and a public lecture in the Rehm Library on Nov. 2. The presentations provided an opportunity for the Holy Cross community to celebrate the achievements of these exceptional students and learn about their groundbreaking research.
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