The Frank Lepkowski
Undergraduate Research in Writing Award

The University Libraries established the Frank Lepkowski Undergraduate Research in Writing Award to celebrate excellence in library research. This scholarship is funded by the Oakland University Credit Union and private donors.

This annual prize recognizes up to two students who have most successfully integrated library resources, discovered through their own research, into a course paper or project. Library resources can include the following:

• Journal, newspaper, or magazine articles

• Ebooks or print books

• Archival materials or special collections

The award consists of a $1500 scholarship prize for first place and $1000 prize for second place; prizes are applied directly to tuition. Please consult the office of Student Financial Services for any financial aid ramifications. All financial resources a student receives before and after a financial aid package is created, must be included when determining financial aid eligibility. Although all financial aid awards cannot exceed the estimated cost of attendance or financial need as established by FAFSA, they usually improve the overall quality of the financial aid package. Students with questions concerning financial aid are encouraged to contact OU Student Financial Services at 248-370-2550 or email finservices@oakland.edu.

Eligibility

• Only individual work is eligible. Group papers or projects will not be considered.

• Only one submission per student.

• Students must be enrolled at Oakland University at the time the award is presented (Winter 2025).

• The paper or project must have been completed for courses taken in the Winter, Summer, or Fall 2024 semesters.

• Papers or projects must include a bibliography, list of works cited, footnotes or other bibliographic system according to recognized style guides

• Most Honors College theses are not eligible because papers must have been completed during the previous calendar year and students must be currently enrolled at the time of the award.

• Graduating seniors are eligible only if they are enrolled in OU graduate studies the following Summer or Fall terms.

Timeline

Submissions will be accepted for the 2025 award from December 12, 2024 through January 31, 2025.

Award winners will be announced at the annual OU Libraries' Authors at Oakland event in March 2025

Nomination Procedure

Student papers/projects can be nominated by faculty or self-nominated by students by filling out the nomination form.

Evaluation Criteria

Successful papers or projects will demonstrate effective application of information literacy principles according to the ULO on Information Literacy:

OU graduates are information literate citizens who reflectively find and evaluate information, understand how that information is produced and valued, and use information responsibly and ethically to create new knowledge and participate as lifelong learners in society. They effectively integrate relevant information sources to build new, or add to existing, public or professional understandings.