UW undergraduate Andrew J. O'Connor is the 2009-10 recipient of theMark Mensink Honors Senior Thesis Research Award. O'Connor is a senior studying History.
This award, one of the largest student research awards on campus, provides the equivalent of two semesters in-state tuition to an outstanding Senior Honors student. The award is given for the most distinguished senior honors thesis proposal submitted to the L&S Honors Program.
This award was established by the Mensink family to honor the memory of their late son, Mark, whose exceptional academic record and service to the University community stand as a model for other aspiring, high achieving students.
O'Connor is investigating the history of the Fatimid, Ayyubid and Mamluk dynasties in Egypt (969-1290 CE). He will use his knowledge of Arabic to read original manuscripts in Cairo as well as studying the architecture of monuments built during each dynasty.
Congratulations, Andrew!