OAGE Student Paper Awards
OAGE supports four types of student paper awards at the undergraduate and graduate level. They are as follows: Dr. Jerome Kaplan Outstanding Graduate Paper, Arnedia Smith Outstanding Undergraduate Paper, Best Conference Theme Paper and the OAGE Aging and Innovation Student Award.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jessica Krok-Schoen, Chair of the Awards Committee via email Jessica.Schoen@osumc.edu
Dr. Jerome Kaplan, Outstanding Graduate Paper
The OAGE Outstanding Graduate Student Paper award honors Dr. Jerome Kaplan, Ph.D., M.S.W (1922-2009), who was a major leader in gerontology at the local, state, national and international levels for over 50 years. Dr. Kaplan was the founding president of the Ohio Network of Educational Consultants in the Field of Aging (ONECA, formerly OAGE), the president of the Gerontological Society of America, the president of the Ohio Research Council on Aging, and the editor of The Gerontologist. Dr. Kaplan was affiliated with the Ohio State University and the University of Akron Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology.
Eligibility criteria:
Nominations must be made by an OAGE member. Submit an online nomination with:
- Graduate students whose abstracts are accepted for presentation at the OAGE annual conference and have registered for the conference.
- Students must be the lead author on the paper. If a student co-authors with a faculty member, only the lead author (student) will be considered for the award and the faculty member must state that the majority of the work is that of the student’s. If a student co-authors with another student(s), only the lead author will be considered for the financial award, but all co-authors will be provided a certificate.
Submission Process:
Submit an online application with:
- A full paper (limit of 20 pages following the APA 7th edition format) demonstrates:
• Importance of the topic, research problem, question, or issue.
• Adequacy of the methodological approach and/or logic of the argument.
• Adequacy of the implications.
• Clarity and style of writing. - A letter of support from the faculty advisor.
Nature of Awards:
- The awardee presents at the annual conference.
- The awardee receives a certificate and a cash award.
- The awardee is recognized at the annual conference.
The deadline for the Dr. Jerome Kaplan, Outstanding Graduate Paper is on February 1, 2024.
Usha Dhakal, Doctoral Student, MGS, MS
Dr. Jerome Kaplan Outstanding Graduate Paper 2023
Miami University
Alexandria McBride, B.S.
Arnedia Smith Outstanding Undergraduate Paper 2023
The Ohio State University College of Social Work
Arnedia Smith, Outstanding Undergraduate Paper
The OAGE Outstanding Undergraduate Student Paper award honors and remembers Professor Arnedia Smith, who was a well-liked and well-respected educator with a strong dedication to gerontology education. Professor Smith worked at Edison State Community College for 13 years and died after a brief illness at age 40. She was an original member of the Ohio Network of Educational Consultants in the Field of Aging (ONECA, formerly OAGE). Professor Smith was very prominent in promoting the development and advancement of gerontology programs throughout the region and state and co-chaired ONECA’s annual conference. She was involved with professional workshops designed to assist educators and service providers in the field of aging.
Eligibility criteria:
Nominations must be made by an OAGE member. Submit an online nomination with:
- Undergraduate students whose abstracts are accepted for presentation at the OAGE annual conference and have registered for the conference.
- Students must be the lead author of the paper. If a student co-authors with a faculty member, the lead author (student) only will be considered for the award and the faculty member must state that the majority of the work is that of the student’s. If a student co-authors with another student(s), only the lead author will be considered for the financial award, but all co-authors will be provided a certificate.
Submission Process:
Submit an online application with:
- A full paper (limit of 20 pages following the APA 7th edition format) demonstrates:
• Importance of the topic, research problem, question, or issue.
• Adequacy of the methodological approach and/or logic of the argument.
• Adequacy of the implications.
• Clarity and style of writing. - A letter of support from the faculty advisor.
Nature of Awards:
- The awardee presents at the annual conference.
- The awardee receives a certificate and a cash award.
- The awardee is recognized at the annual conference.
The deadline for the Arnedia Smith, Outstanding Undergraduate Paper is on February 1, 2024.
Best Conference Theme Paper
The OAGE Best Conference Theme Paper is to recognize outstanding student paper relevant and related to this year’s conference theme.
Eligibility criteria:
Nominations must be made by an OAGE member. Submit an online nomination with:
- Students whose abstracts are accepted for presentation at the OAGE annual conference.
- Students are expected to register for the annual conference to present their work.
- Students must be the lead author of the paper. If a student co-authors with a faculty member, the lead author (student) only will be considered for the award and the faculty member must state that the majority of the work is that of the student’s. If a student co-authors with another student(s), only the lead author will be considered for the financial award, but all co-authors will be provided a certificate.
Submission Process:
Submit an online application with:
- A full paper (limit of 20 pages following the APA 7th edition format) demonstrates:
• Importance of the topic, research problem, question, or issue.
• Adequacy of the methodological approach and/or logic of the argument.
• Adequacy of the implications.
• Clarity and style of writing. - A letter of support from the faculty advisor.
Nature of Awards:
- The awardee presents at the annual conference.
- The awardee receives a certificate and a cash award.
- The awardee is recognized at the annual conference.
The deadline for the Best Conference Theme Paper is on February 1, 2024.
Kimberly Jenkins, MA
Best Conference Theme Paper 2022
Youngstown State University
Amanda MacNeil, Doctoral Student, M.S.
Aging and Innovation Student Award 2023
Cleveland State University
OAGE Aging and Innovation Student Award
This award highlights innovative products, services, programs, technologies, and designs conceived by students that promote the well-being and quality of life of older persons. Entries may range from well-thought-out ideas that are on the drawing board to developed products, programs, and services that are in use today. Past winning and honorable mention submissions include: Resident Mental Health Tracker, CaringWire Digital Caregiver Assistant; Intergenerational Book Club; Incontinence underwear with built-in UTI indicator; and Pets and Older Adults Program.
Eligibility criteria:
Nominations must be made by an OAGE member. Submit an online nomination with:
- All students, including those from non-aging focused majors such as engineering, business, architecture, communications, and the fine arts are encouraged to submit an entry for consideration.
- Students are strongly recommended to register for the annual conference.
- Students must be the lead author. If a student co-authors with another student(s), only the lead author will be considered for the cash award, but all co-authors will be provided a certificate.
Submission Process:
Submit an online application with:
- A no more than three-page (double-spaced) proposal that includes a problem statement, landscape analysis, and a description of the product, service, program, or design.
- If available, students may submit a picture or diagram, a business plan, or a video.
Nature of Awards:
- The awardee receives a certificate and a cash award.
- The awardee is recognized at the annual conference.
The deadline for the Aging and Innovation Student Award is on March 8th, 2024.