For the second year in a row, a Western Carolina University student is the winner of the North Carolina Political Science Association’s award for best research paper written by an undergraduate.

Dave Young, a senior majoring in philosophy, won the association’s award for best domestic politics and policy paper for his entry “Inevitable City, Inexorable Storm: How the Failure of Communication, Courage and Common Sense Doomed New Orleans.” Young presented his paper at the organization’s annual conference, held in March at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

Formerly of State College, Pa., Young is the son of Lynn and Glenna Young of Waynesville. His paper examined how federal, state and local officials were ill-prepared to deal with significant problems before and after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005.

Last year’s winner was Chris Douglas, a political science major from Weaverville.

“I am extremely pleased and proud that the work of our students has been recognized for two consecutive years by the N.C. Political Science Association,” said C. Don Livingston, professor of political science and public affairs who serves as Young’s faculty adviser. “This shows that WCU students can compete with the best of them.”

The statewide association supports the study of political science and subfields such as international politics, elections and institutions, from the presidency to the courts. The association hosts an annual conference, produces newsletters, furnishes subscriptions to the professional journal Politics and Policy, and links political scientists and students throughout the state via a list serve and Web site. Claudia Bryant, WCU assistant professor of political science and public affairs, is NCPSA past president.

For information about Western’s department of political science and public affairs, call (828) 227-7475.

Maintained by the Office of Public Relations
Last Modified: Monday, April 21, 2008