By COOPER STANLEY, Student Reporter
A Northwestern graduate student was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Westerners International for his works on an American studies research project.
Eric Carnes was awarded the Westerners International scholarship after Dr. Shawn Holliday, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, recommended Carnes to the Westerners International foundation for his research he conducted in his American studies class.
Carnes’ major research project dove into steam beer, and specifically how it was used in Frank Norris’ 1899 novel “McTeague, A Story of San Francisco.” Carnes’ work connected drinking to spousal abuse, at that time in history. As well as explaining why steam beer was so popular at the time, due to it being a cheap substitute for the more expensive alcoholic beverages, that were available to the characters in the novel.
Carnes is not the first Northwestern student to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Westerners International foundation. Alumna Rebekah Wagenbach, received the first graduate scholarship offered by Westerners International, in 2014.
Westerners International’s home office is based at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. It offers not only scholarship opportunities but also a place to publish papers and research projects for its graduate student members.
Northwestern looks to continue its partnership with the Westerners International foundation in hopes for more graduate students to display and be rewarded for their work.