Eric Shuman Wins Elmes Pathfinder Prize in Psychology
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Eric Shuman
LEXINGTON, VA (11/19/2013)(readMedia)-- Eric Shuman, a Washington and Lee University senior from Black Mountain, N.C., has received the 2013 David G. Elmes Pathfinder Prize in Psychology. It recognizes a student who has shown extraordinary promise in psychological science through outstanding scholarship in basic or applied psychology.
"Eric has definitely shown potential for making a significant contribution to the application of science, and that is part and parcel of the criteria for the Elmes Pathfinder Prize," said Bob Stewart, associate professor of psychology.
"He's a dual-degree candidate and will receive two separate degrees, in psychology and global politics. He's also captain of the W&L men's swim team, which makes him the quintessential scholar-athlete."
Among the research projects that Shuman participated in was a summer project with Dan Johnson, assistant professor of psychology. The research looked at the effectiveness of using a nano-narrative-a two- or three-sentence story-to improve students' ability to clarify concepts they are being taught by creating an anchor in the memory, thus providing better learning in the long term.
Shuman's career plans include working on conflict and conflict resolution, especially the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He wrote a paper on the topic during his first year and started learning Arabic. He then spent the summer after his sophomore year living with a Palestinian family in the West Bank, studying Arabic and volunteering with a non-governmental organization providing mental health services to Palestinians with psychological trauma from the conflict.
The Elmes Pathfinder Prize was established in 2007. It derives from the Elmes Fund, a permanently endowed fund that honors David G. Elmes, emeritus professor of psychology at W&L. The many alumni, colleagues and friends who benefited from Elmes' commitment to learning during his 40-year career as a scientist, teacher and mentor at W&L created the endowment.
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