University Libraries

2026 Guentter Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis finalists, winner named

Three finalists offered presentations of their research May 7 in Pattee Library and Paterno Library’s Foster Auditorium and via Zoom

Penn State alumnus Robert F. Guentter Jr. congratulates 2022 Guentter Award winner Chloe Mazer. Guentter graduated in 1982 from the Smeal College of Business, received his master of public administration degree in 1983 and endowed the grand prize award in 2021. In supporting the top prize, he said, “Penn State played a formative role in my life, and giving back, even in this small way, is very rewarding. Someone awarded a scholarship to me for my Penn State graduate work, and I never got to say ‘Thank You.’ This modest effort is my heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to them.” Credit: Chris Blaska/Penn State University Libraries / Penn State. Creative Commons

Update: This news release has been updated to identify the winner, first runner-up and second runner-up.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Libraries and the Schreyer Honors College recognized the 15th annual finalists and juried winner of the Robert F. Guentter Jr. Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award on May 7, immediately following the three finalists’ 3 p.m. presentations.

Awards are given annually to three finalists with outstanding Penn State undergraduate theses that are grounded in quality research, as determined by a jury of librarians and other Penn State faculty. The Robert F. Guentter Jr. Grand Prize winner is awarded $1,250, first runner-up is awarded $750 and second runner-up is awarded $500.

The finalists and winner are:

  • 2026 Robert F. Guentter Jr. Grand Prize winner: Hannah Bucher, Schreyer scholar, spring 2026 bachelor of science degree recipient in health policy and administration, minors in Spanish and information sciences and technology in health policy and administration, College of Health and Human Development
    • Thesis: “Transforming Settlements into Programs: Linking Funded Opioid Interventions in Pennsylvania to Research-Supported Strategies”;
  • First runner-up: Elisabeth Groff, Schreyer scholar, spring 2026 bachelor of science degree recipient in chemistry, Eberly College of Science
    • Thesis: “Novel Approaches to Combating Antimalarial Drug Resistance: Identifying Host Metabolite Determinants of P. falciparum Intraerythrocytic Growth”; and
  • Second runner-up: Noah Frank, Schreyer scholar, spring 2026 bachelor of science degree recipient in mechanical engineering, College of Engineering
    • Thesis: “Degree-of-Freedom and Optimization-Dynamic Effects on the Observability of Kuramoto-Sivashinsky Systems.”

The University Libraries initiated this award to emphasize the importance of utilizing quality research methods and employing a thorough understanding of the legal and ethical issues related to the use of information — both key components of academic excellence. For Schreyer Scholars, Paterno Fellows and others for which a thesis is the capstone of their undergraduate experience, this competition recognizes the discerning inquiry and diligent research undertaken by the scholars in preparation for graduation.

The annual public event is hosted by the University Libraries and Schreyer Honors College. This year, they were represented by co-hosts Nathan Hall, University Libraries associate dean for distinctive collections and digital strategies, and Patrick Mather, dean of the Schreyer Honors College. The finalists’ presentations were held in Pattee Library and Paterno Library’s Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, at Penn State University Park. Remote attendees were able to  register in advance to view the presentations via Zoom.

The University Libraries provides full texts of most Schreyer Honors College electronic theses through the University Libraries catalog.

The submissions process for the Robert F. Guentter Jr. Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award begins in January of each year. Penn State students who have graduated in summer of the previous year or fall or spring of the current academic year are eligible to participate. The finalists’ theses and presentations are judged by a panel of Penn State faculty including several librarians. Details about the award are available on the University Libraries website.

For more information, contact Julie Conner at 814-865-0789 or jhc5054@psu.edu.

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