Senior sociology major Kristen McCollum has been awarded the 2012 Odum Award for Best Undergraduate Paper by the Southern Sociological Society. She will receive the award at the society’s annual meeting in New Orleans March 21-24.

McCollum is receiving the award for her paper titled “The Art of Collective Identity: How an Art from the Streets Program Fosters a Sense of Community Among the Homeless.” The paper was written for her fall 2011 capstone class on “Social Movements and Activism” taught by Maria Lowe, professor of sociology.

This is the fifth time in the past seven years that a Southwestern sociology major has won the Odum Award. Ali Hendley received it in 2006, Meagan Elliott received it in 2007, Nicole Powell received it in 2009 and Jessica Herbst received it in 2010.

Another Southwestern student, Toni Nietfeld, won honorable mention in the competition in 2011.