College of Education Professor Receives National Award

University of Kentucky College of Education faculty member John Thelin, professor of educational policy studies and evaluation, was awarded the 2007 Exemplary Research Award for Division J (Postsecondary and Higher Education) during the 2007 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Ill., April 9-13, 2007. This award is given annually to an AERA member whose published research has made an outstanding contribution to knowledge and understanding in the field of higher education.

“This award was very unexpected, but I was thrilled to receive it,” Thelin said. “It also came at the perfect time as a good deal of my research has come to a culmination.”

Thelin just completed an article titled “Access and Excess,” for The Chronicle of Higher Education. It centers on the selective admission controversy in colleges and universities across the United States. He also completed a chapter in a new book titled “Footing the Tuition Bill,” sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. His chapter explores the evolution of the financial aid and loan industry, as well as how to make higher education accessible and affordable for students.

“My research in recent years is built on my long time base as a social and institutional historian,” said Thelin. “My goal is to bring the logic and data and context of sound historical research to significant, enduring and current higher education issues.”

Thelin came to the UK College of Education in 1996. He earned his bachelor’s degree in European history from Brown University, where he was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his master’s degree and doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley in American history and history of education, respectively.

The American Educational Research Association (AERA), founded in 1916 and based in Washington, D.C., aims to advance knowledge about education, to encourage scholarly inquiry related to education, and to promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good.

This from UK Press Release.