thesis dedications

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Formatting Your Thesis or Dissertation with Microsoft Word

• Dedication, Acknowledgements, & Preface
• Introduction
• Copyright Page
• Headings and Subheadings
• Citations and Bibliography
• Page Numbers
• Tables and Figures
• Rotated (Landscape) Pages
• Table of Contents
• Lists of Tables and Figures
• List of Abbreviations
• Some Things to Watch For
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Dedication, acknowledgements, & preface

Dedication, Acknowledgements, and Preface sections are all optional pages. But, what is the difference between these three?

Dedication — A personal tribute to someone or a group of people. Example: "To my parents."

Acknowledgements — A professional tribute to a person or people who helped you with the thesis. Example: "I wish to thank my thesis advisor for the hours of help in the lab making sure the experiments were set up properly and guiding me through the thesis process."

Preface ( sometimes confused with Foreward or Prologue ) — A very rarely included section that details why you are qualified to write about your topic of your thesis or why you became interested in the topic (for example, an anecdote about a childhood incident that led you to become interested in the topic). Do not confuse this with the literature review; this is more of a personal story.

The video below gives more examples of what can be included in these sections. Note: If your dedication is short (like "To my parents"), you may choose not to include the "Dedication" heading at the top of the page. A demonstration of how to format the dedication page this way is shown below.

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Examples of Dedications

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Written by  Scribendi

You've written a book, dissertation, or thesis; you've passed out from joy and woken up! Now, you need to write a dedication to that person (or those people) who made it all possible. 

You want the thesis or book dedication to be meaningful, but how can you make it work? You have lots of options, from simple to complex and from informal to formal.

Read on to discover how you can write the perfect dedication, whether it is a dedication to a friend, parent, child, or someone else.

Tips for Writing a Dedication Page

A dedication is usually a single sentence at the beginning of a book, thesis, or dissertation that offers the work to someone who inspired you or helped you with it. It's a short statement but one that can be very personal.

Here’s an example of a dedication for a thesis: 

Before diving into the dedication examples below, you should keep a few things in mind: 

There's no right or wrong way to write a dedication sentence. Who you thank and how you thank them can and should be personal.

If the list of people you need to thank is long, you can use your Acknowledgments section to pay tribute to as many people as you'd like.

Everyone who reads your book, thesis, or dissertation will see your dedication page. Be aware of the impact that your dedication will have. 

Be brief. Dedication sentences should be short and to the point. 

Check out How to Write a Dedication for more writing help.

Formal and Informal Dedication Examples

Informal and simple dedication.

This one goes to you, Mom.

Formal and simple dedication

This is for my mother.

Informal and complex dedication

This is for my dad. Thanks for teaching me how to make casserole and for all those laughs.

Formal and complex dedication

I dedicate this to my sister, who was always there for me, even on the tough days.

Informal dedication with an anecdote

To Rebecca. Thank you for getting us lost in Mexico and eventually getting us found. Keep leading the way. 

Formal dedication with an anecdote

I dedicate this to Kimberly Marsh, for her outpouring of support when Charlie was hospitalized. Her steadfast commitment, love, and dedication will not be forgotten. 

Informal dedication in memoriam

In memory of Chuck Thomas. It was a joy to serve you coffee every Thursday. I'll never forget you.

Formal dedication in memoriam

I dedicate this book to Don Reynolds, who influenced countless people in his too-short time here on earth. I miss you more than words can say. Thank you for believing in my dream. I look forward to the day we meet again. 

Dedication Examples to Different Parties

Book dedication to a child examples.

I dedicate this little book to my children. This one is for you, from me, your loving mother. 

To all my children. I almost named you after the characters in this book. If you can guess which name was almost yours, no complaining. 

To Nate and Jenny. I have nothing but gratitude to you, my children, for reminding me that walking to the beach is just as fun as being there. 

Book dedication examples to a friend

This book is dedicated to Tim. Thanks for encouraging me to write it. 

I dedicate this book to my friend and confidante, Jack Millhouse. He was the first person to encourage me to try. 

To Melissa R., for being a dedicated reader through all those rounds of revision. This one is for you. 

Book dedication to parents examples

To my parents. Thanks for keeping the interest rates low on everything I owe you. 

I dedicate this to my parents, for your constant love and support. 

This one is for my parents. Thanks for trying. 

Whether you are dedicating a thesis or a book to a friend or a family member, our examples can help you draft a dedication that both you and your dedicatee are proud of. 

If you're struggling to find the right words, our editors can make sure you're on the right track.

Let’s Make Sure Your Writing Is Compelling with In-Depth Editing

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Scribendi's in-house editors work with writers from all over the globe to perfect their writing. They know that no piece of writing is complete without a professional edit, and they love to see a good piece of writing transformed into a great one. Scribendi's in-house editors are unrivaled in both experience and education, having collectively edited millions of words and obtained nearly 20 degrees. They love consuming caffeinated beverages, reading books of various genres, and relaxing in quiet, dimly lit spaces.

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How to Write a Dedication

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How to Write a Dedication in a Bachelor's Thesis

Writing a bachelor’s thesis is a significant milestone in your academic journey. it represents years of hard work, research, and dedication . one important aspect of your thesis is the dedication, where you have the opportunity to express gratitude towards individuals or groups who have supported you throughout your journey. in this blog post, we will guide you on how to write a meaningful dedication for your bachelor’s thesis..

Why Include a Dedication in Your Bachelor’s Thesis?

A dedication in your bachelor’s thesis is a great way to acknowledge the people who have played a vital role in your academic success. It allows you to show your gratitude and appreciation towards family, friends, mentors, or anyone who has supported you emotionally or intellectually during the thesis writing process. Including a dedication not only adds a personal touch to your work but also shows your commitment and deep sense of gratitude.

Considerations for Writing Your Dedication

While writing a dedication for your bachelor’s thesis, it’s essential to consider a few key aspects:

• Think about who has had a significant impact on your journey
• Consider those who have provided emotional and intellectual support
• Reflect on the guidance and encouragement you received
• Consider the length and tone that best suits your dedication

By keeping these considerations in mind, you can craft a heartfelt dedication that truly represents the gratitude you feel towards those who have supported you.

Structure of a Dedication

A dedication typically follows a specific structure:

• Begin with a formal salutation: Start your dedication with a proper salutation, such as “To,” “For,” or “In honor of.”
• Provide the names: Include the names of the individuals or groups you want to dedicate your thesis to.
• Express gratitude: Write a thoughtful message expressing your gratitude and explaining their importance in your journey.
• Keep it concise: While you may have many people to thank, it’s best to keep your dedication succinct and to the point.

Remember, the dedication is a personal statement, so feel free to include your own unique style and voice to make it more meaningful.

Examples of Bachelor’s Thesis Dedications

Here are a few examples to help you get started:

• To my parents, who have tirelessly supported and encouraged me throughout my academic career – your unwavering belief in me has been my driving force.
• For my thesis advisor, [Name], whose expertise and guidance have shaped my research and challenged me to reach new heights.
• In loving memory of [Name], whose passion for learning will forever inspire me to pursue knowledge fearlessly.

Feel free to customize these examples based on your own relationships and experiences.

Writing a dedication for your bachelor’s thesis provides an opportunity to express gratitude towards those who have contributed to your success. By considering the important people in your academic journey and following a concise structure, you can create a meaningful dedication that beautifully represents your appreciation.

Remember, a dedication is a personal touch, so allow your unique style and personality to shine through. Now that you have the knowledge, put pen to paper and create a dedication that truly captures the essence of your gratitude. Good luck!

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Dedication Page for Academic Papers [11 Examples]

The dedication section is where the writer expresses gratitude or others, normally those who have inspired or assisted them in their research and writing. It is usually the shortest page of an academic paper.

The most important thing to remember is that there is NO exact formula for writing a perfect dedication. Dedication is one of the most personal parts of your writing, and you are free to write it however you like.

In this post, we will include examples of dedication for theses, dissertations, research papers and college projects.

• How to Write a Dedication for a Thesis or Dissertation?
• Is Acknowledgement and Dedication the Same?

Who to include in the dedication section?

You can choose whomever you want. A dedication section is generally short and focuses on a single person (or specific group of people). It is usually a personal matter to have a dedication section, rather than a professional one.

Dedication Examples for Thesis or Dissertation

Most of the dedications in the thesis or dissertation are dedicated to family and friends.

You can express your feelings on why you want to dedicate your writings to these people specifically in this section.

Here are some of the examples which you can use as an example for writing your dedication for your thesis or dissertation.

Dedication for Dissertation/Thesis: Example #1

Dedication for dissertation/thesis: example #2, dedication for dissertation/thesis: example #3, dedication for dissertation/thesis: example #4, dedication for dissertation/thesis: example #5, dedication for dissertation: example #6, dedication examples for research paper.

Here are some examples of dedication written for research papers.

Dedication for Research Paper: Example #1

DEDICATION I dedicate this research paper to my lovely wife Laura, and my two daughters Dana, and Kareem. To all my family, the symbol of love and giving, and my friends who encourage and support me.

Dedication for Research Paper: Example #2

DEDICATION This research paper is dedicated to my dear father, who has been nicely my supporter until my research was fully finished, and my beloved mother who, for months past, has encouraged me attentively with her fullest and truest attention to accomplish my work with truthful self-confidence.

Dedication for Research Paper: Example #3

DEDICATION This research is dedicated to all the members of group 5 class 21/2012 for their sacrifice and cooperation in researching this paper. Our appreciation goes to MRS KANGETHE and MR KARIUKI for their guidance in the preparation of the final document and to our colleagues in the SMC 21/2012 for their support.

Dedication for College Projects

Here are two examples of dedication for college projects:

Dedication for College Project: Example #1

Dedication for college projects: example #2, other popular acknowledgement examples.

For work or business Acknowledgement Receipt of Payment [4 Examples] Acknowledging Receipt of Documents: A Quick Guide with Examples Acknowledgement for Presentation [9 Examples] Acknowledgement for Job Offer [3 Examples] Acknowledgement for Business Plan [4 Examples] Acknowledgement for Work Immersion [5 Examples] Acknowledgement of Receipt of Appraisal [3 Examples] Acknowledegment of Debt [5 Examples] Resignation Acknowledgement for Employers [5 Examples]

Academic Acknowledgement for Research Paper [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Internship Report [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Thesis and Dissertation [15 Examples] Acknowledgement for Portfolio [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Case Study [4 Examples] Acknowledgement for Academic Research Paper [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for College/School Assignment [5 Examples] Acknowledgemet to God in Reports [5 Examples]

Others Acknowledgement to Funeral Attendees [5 Examples] Funeral Acknowledgement Templates (for Newspapers and Websites) Common Website Disclaimers to Protect Your Online Business Notary Acknowledgement [5 Examples]

How-to Guides on Academic Writing and Others

Most popular How to Write an Acknowledgement: The Complete Guide for Students How to Write an Acknowledgement for College Project? How to Write a Dedication Page for a Thesis or Dissertation? More on acknowledgements How to Write Acknowledgment for a Dissertation or a Thesis? Is Acknowledgement and Dedication the Same? Thesis or Dissertation How to Write a Master’s Thesis: The Ultimate Guide How to Write a Thesis Proposal? How to Write an Abstract for a Thesis? How to Write a Preface for a Thesis? Others How to Write an Introduction for a Research Paper? 7 Real Research Paper Examples to Get You Started How to Write Cover Letter for an Internship Program? How to Write an Internship Acceptance Letter? How to Write a Leave Application? For Schools and the Workplace How to Write a Resignation Letter?

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Thesis and Dissertation Guide

• « Thesis & Dissertation Resources
• The Graduate School Home

• Introduction

Copyright Page

Dedication, acknowledgements, preface (optional), table of contents.

• List of Tables, Figures, and Illustrations

List of Abbreviations

List of symbols.

• Non-Traditional Formats
• Font Type and Size
• Spacing and Indentation
• Tables, Figures, and Illustrations
• Formatting Previously Published Work
• Internet Distribution
• Open Access
• Registering Copyright
• Using Copyrighted Materials
• Use of Your Own Previously Published Materials
• Submission Steps
• Submission Checklist
• Sample Pages

I. Order and Components

Please see the sample thesis or dissertation pages throughout and at the end of this document for illustrations. The following order is required for components of your thesis or dissertation:

• Dedication, Acknowledgements, and Preface (each optional)
• Table of Contents, with page numbers
• List of Tables, List of Figures, or List of Illustrations, with titles and page numbers (if applicable)
• List of Abbreviations (if applicable)
• List of Symbols (if applicable)
• Introduction, if any
• Main body, with consistent subheadings as appropriate
• Appendices (if applicable)
• Endnotes (if applicable)
• References (see section on References for options)

Many of the components following the title and copyright pages have required headings and formatting guidelines, which are described in the following sections.

Please consult the Sample Pages to compare your document to the requirements. A Checklist is provided to assist you in ensuring your thesis or dissertation meets all formatting guidelines.

The title page of a thesis or dissertation must include the following information:

• The title of the thesis or dissertation in all capital letters and centered 2″ below the top of the page.
• Your name, centered 1″ below the title. Do not include titles, degrees, or identifiers. The name you use here does not need to exactly match the name on your university records, but we recommend considering how you will want your name to appear in professional publications in the future.

Notes on this statement:

• When indicating your degree in the second bracketed space, use the full degree name (i.e., Doctor of Philosophy, not Ph.D. or PHD; Master of Public Health, not M.P.H. or MPH; Master of Social Work, not M.S.W. or MSW).
• List your department, school, or curriculum rather than your subject area or specialty discipline in the third bracketed space. You may include your subject area or specialty discipline in parentheses (i.e., Department of Romance Languages (French); School of Pharmacy (Molecular Pharmaceutics); School of Education (School Psychology); or similar official area).
• If you wish to include both your department and school names, list the school at the end of the statement (i.e., Department of Pharmacology in the School of Medicine).
• A dissertation submitted to the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Public Policy.
• A thesis submitted to the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the School of Dentistry (Endodontics).
• A thesis submitted to the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Nutrition in the Gillings School of Global Public Health.
• A dissertation submitted to the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Education (Cultural Studies and Literacies).
• The words “Chapel Hill” must be centered 1″ below the statement.
• One single-spaced line below that, center the year in which your committee approves the completed thesis or dissertation. This need not be the year you graduate.
• Approximately 2/3 of the way across the page on the right-hand side of the page, 1″ below the year, include the phrase “Approved by:” (with colon) followed by each faculty member's name on subsequent double-spaced lines. Do not include titles such as Professor, Doctor, Dr., PhD, or any identifiers such as “chair” or “advisor” before or after any names. Line up the first letter of each name on the left under the “A” in the “Approved by:” line. If a name is too long to fit on one line, move this entire section of text slightly to the left so that formatting can be maintained.
• No signatures, signature lines, or page numbers should be included on the title page.

Include a copyright page with the following information single-spaced and centered 2″ above the bottom of the page:

© Year Author's Full Name (as it appears on the title page) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This page immediately follows the title page. It should be numbered with the lower case Roman numeral ii centered with a 1/2″ margin from the bottom edge.

Inclusion of this page offers you, as the author, additional protection against copyright infringement as it eliminates any question of authorship and copyright ownership. You do not need to file for copyright in order to include this statement in your thesis or dissertation. However, filing for copyright can offer other protections.

See Section IV for more information on copyrighting your thesis or dissertation.

Include an abstract page following these guidelines:

• Include the heading “ABSTRACT” in all capital letters, and center it 2″ below the top of the page.
• One double-spaced line below “ABSTRACT”, center your name, followed by a colon and the title of the thesis or dissertation. Use as many lines as necessary. Be sure that your name and the title exactly match the name and title used on the Title page.
• One single-spaced line below the title, center the phrase “(Under the direction of [advisor's name])”. Include the phrase in parentheses. Include the first and last name(s) of your advisor or formal co-advisors. Do not include the name of other committee members. Use the advisor's name only; do not include any professional titles such as PhD, Professor, or Dr. or any identifiers such as “chair” or “advisor”.
• Skip one double-spaced line and begin the abstract. The text of your abstract must be double-spaced and aligned with the document's left margin with the exception of indenting new paragraphs. Do not center or right-justify the abstract.
• Abstracts cannot exceed 150 words for a thesis or 350 words for a dissertation.
• Number the abstract page with the lower case Roman numeral iii (and iv, if more than one page) centered with a 1/2″ margin from the bottom edge.

Please write and proofread your abstract carefully. When possible, avoid including symbols or foreign words in your abstract, as they cannot be indexed or searched. Avoid mathematical formulas, diagrams, and other illustrative materials in the abstract. Offer a brief description of your thesis or dissertation and a concise summary of its conclusions. Be sure to describe the subject and focus of your work with clear details and avoid including lengthy explanations or opinions.

Your title and abstract will be used by search engines to help potential audiences locate your work, so clarity will help to draw the attention of your targeted readers.

You have an option to include a dedication, acknowledgements, or preface. If you choose to include any or all of these elements, give each its own page(s).

A dedication is a message from the author prefixed to a work in tribute to a person, group, or cause. Most dedications are short statements of tribute beginning with “To…” such as “To my family”.

Acknowledgements are the author's statement of gratitude to and recognition of the people and institutions that helped the author's research and writing.

A preface is a statement of the author's reasons for undertaking the work and other personal comments that are not directly germane to the materials presented in other sections of the thesis or dissertation. These reasons tend to be of a personal nature.

Any of the pages must be prepared following these guidelines:

• Do not place a heading on the dedication page.
• The text of short dedications must be centered and begin 2″ from the top of the page.
• Headings are required for the “ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS” and “PREFACE” pages. Headings must be in all capital letters and centered 2″ below the top of the page.
• The text of the acknowledgements and preface pages must begin one double-spaced line below the heading, be double-spaced, and be aligned with the document's left margin with the exception of indenting new paragraphs.
• Subsequent pages of text return to the 1″ top margin.
• The page(s) must be numbered with consecutive lower case Roman numerals (starting with the page number after the abstract) centered with a 1/2″ margin from the bottom edge.

Include a table of contents following these guidelines:

• Include the heading “TABLE OF CONTENTS” in all capital letters, and center it 2″ below the top of the page.
• Include one double-spaced line between the heading and the first entry.
• The table of contents should not contain listings for the pages that precede it, but it must list all parts of the thesis or dissertation that follow it.
• If relevant, be sure to list all appendices and a references section in your table of contents. Include page numbers for these items but do not assign separate chapter numbers.
• Entries must align with the document's left margin or be indented to the right of the left page margin using consistent tabs.
• Major subheadings within chapters must be included in the table of contents. The subheading(s) should be indented to the right of the left page margin using consistent tabs.
• If an entry takes up more than one line, break up the entry about three-fourths of the way across the page and place the rest of the text on a second line, single-spacing the two lines.
• Include one double-spaced line between each entry.
• Page numbers listed in the table of contents must be located just inside the right page margin with leaders (lines of periods) filling out the space between the end of the entry and the page number. The last digit of each number must line up on the right margin.
• Information included in the table of contents must match the headings, major subheadings, and numbering used in the body of the thesis or dissertation.
• The Table of Contents page(s) must be numbered with consecutive lower case Roman numerals centered with a 1/2″ margin from the bottom edge.

Lists of Tables, Figures, and Illustrations

If applicable, include a list of tables, list of figures, and/or list of illustrations following these guidelines:

• Include the heading(s) in all capital letters, centered 1″ below the top of the page.
• Each entry must include a number, title, and page number.
• Assign each table, figure, or illustration in your thesis or dissertation an Arabic numeral. You may number consecutively throughout the entire work (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.), or you may assign a two-part Arabic numeral with the first number designating the chapter in which it appears, separated by a period, followed by a second number to indicate its consecutive placement in the chapter (e.g., Table 3.2 is the second table in Chapter Three).
• Numerals and titles must align with the document's left margin or be indented to the right of the left page margin using consistent tabs.
• Page numbers must be located just inside the right page margin with leaders (lines of periods) filling out the space between the end of the entry and the page number. The last digit of each number must line up on the right margin.
• Numbers, titles, and page numbers must each match the corresponding numbers, titles, and page numbers appearing in the thesis or dissertation.
• All Lists of Tables, Figures, and Illustrations page(s) must be numbered with consecutive lower case Roman numerals centered with a 1/2″ margin from the bottom edge.

If you use abbreviations extensively in your thesis or dissertation, you must include a list of abbreviations and their corresponding definitions following these guidelines:

• Include the heading “LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS” in all capital letters, and center it 1″ below the top of the page.
• Arrange your abbreviations alphabetically.
• Abbreviations must align with the document's left margin or be indented to the right of the left page margin using consistent tabs.
• If an entry takes up more than one line, single-space between the two lines.
• The List of Abbreviations page(s) must be numbered with consecutive lower case Roman numerals centered with a 1/2″ margin from the bottom edge.

If you use symbols in your thesis or dissertation, you may combine them with your abbreviations, titling the section “LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS”, or you may set up a separate list of symbols and their definitions by following the formatting instructions above for abbreviations. The heading you choose must be in all capital letters and centered 1″ below the top of the page.

Previous: Introduction

Next: Format

Writing Your Dedication and Acknowledgements

When it comes to writing a thesis, the chapters get most of our attention – and so they should! They are the bulk of the thesis, and they contain the actual research. But there are other sections to think about as well, and two of them can be particularly fun to write.

The dedication and acknowledgements pages are where you can show your love and gratitude to the people who have helped you to achieve your goals. They tend to be less prescribed than other sections, so you have a little freedom to get creative in the way you express yourself!

While they might seem similar, there is a difference between the dedications and the acknowledgements. The dedication, as the name suggests, allows you to dedicate your thesis to someone (or multiple people). This is quite a personal matter, and dedications are often made to family members, spouses, friends, or community groups.

The acknowledgements page, by contrast, allows you to express thanks for specific contributions, and often features people that the author knows professionally as well as personally. If a person or group helped you by giving advice, funding, mentorship, editorial assistance, or practical support, it’s a good idea to give them a shout-out in the acknowledgements. This is more than just a courtesy – it’s an important part of maintaining your relationships by formally recognising the people and organisations who have made a contribution to your work.

As an example – I dedicated my PhD thesis to several members of my family, and wrote short personal notes about their contributions. In my acknowledgements section, I thanked my supervisor, a mentor, a friend who provided technical advice during my research, and my scholarship provider.

My dedication and acknowledgements sections were fairly conventional, but that doesn’t mean yours have to be! I’ve heard of writers dedicating their thesis to their pets, their computers, and even their local barista. There have even been rumours of one acknowledgements page which included a coupon for a free beer for anyone whose name was listed!

Other scholars have been known to thank:

• Public transport providers “for making the task of writing in buses and trains such an enjoyable exercise” ( source )
• The “spell-check function of Microsoft Word, without whom ‘institution’ would be misspelled differently 197 times” ( source )
• “The U.S. Immigration Service under the Bush administration, whose visa background security check forced [the author] to spend two months (following an international conference) in a third country, free of routine obligations” ( source )

One enterprising paleontologist even proposed to his girlfriend via the acknowledgements section of his journal article. (She said yes, apparently.)

So if you haven’t already, have a go at drafting your dedication and acknowledgements pages. After all, it’s not often you can gush about your favourite people while still technically being productive!

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• Acknowledgements for PhD Thesis and Dissertations – Explained
• Doing a PhD

The Purpose of Acknowledgements

The acknowledgement section of a thesis or dissertation is where you recognise and thank those who supported you during your PhD. This can be but is not limited to individuals, institutions or organisations.

Although your acknowledgements will not be used to evaluate your work, it is still an important section of your thesis. This is because it can have a positive (or negative for that matter) influence the perception of your reader before they even reach the main body of your work.

Who Should I Acknowledge?

Acknowledgements for a PhD thesis will typically fall into one of two categories – professional or personal.

Within these categories, who you thank will ultimately be your decision. However, it’s imperative that you pay special attention to the ‘professional’ group. This is because not thanking someone who has played an important role in your studies, whether it be intentional or accidental, will more often than not be seen as a dismissal of their efforts. Not only would this be unfair if they genuinely helped you, but from a certain political aspect, it could also jeopardise any opportunities for future collaborations .

Professional Acknowledgements

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Funding bodies/sponsorship providers
• Supervisors
• Research group and lab assistants
• Research participants
• Proofreaders

Personal Acknowledgements

• Key family members and friends
• Individuals who inspired you or directly influenced your academic journey
• Anyone else who has provided personal support that you would like to mention

It should be noted that certain universities have policies which state only those who have directly supported your work, such as supervisors and professors, should be included in your acknowledgements. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you read your university guidelines before writing this section of your thesis.

How to Write Acknowledgements for PhD Thesis

When producing this section, your writing style can be more informal compared to the rest of your thesis. This includes writing in first person and using more emotive language. Although in most cases you will have complete freedom in how you write this section of your thesis, it is still highly advisable to keep it professional. As mentioned earlier, this is largely because it will be one of the first things your assessors will read, and so it will help set the tone for the rest of your work.

In terms of its structure, acknowledgements are expected to be ordered in a manner that first recognises the most formal support before moving onto the less formal support. In most cases, this follows the same order that we have outlined in the ‘Who Should I Thank’ section.

When thanking professionals, always write out their full name and provide their title. This is because although you may be on a first-name basis with them, those who read your thesis will not. By providing full names and titles, not only do you help ensure clarity, but it could also indirectly contribute to the credibility of your thesis should the individual you’re thanking be well known within your field.

If you intend to include a list of people from one institution or organisation, it is best to list their names in alphabetical order. The exception to this is when a particular individual has been of significant assistance; here, it would be advisable to list them.

How Long Should My Acknowledgements Be?

Acknowledgements vary considerably in length. Some are a single paragraph whilst some continue for up to three pages. The length of your acknowledgement page will mostly depend on the number of individuals you want to recognise.

As a general rule, try to keep your acknowledgements section to a single page. Although there are no word limits, creating a lengthy acknowledgements section dilutes the gratitude you’re trying to express, especially to those who have supported you the most.

Where Should My Acknowledgements Go?

In the vast majority of cases, your acknowledgements should appear directly after your abstract and before your table of contents.

However, we highly advise you to check your university guidelines as a few universities set out their own specific order which they will expect you to follow.

Phrases to Help You Get Started

We appreciate how difficult it can be to truly show how grateful you are to those who have supported you over the years, especially in words.

To help you get started, we’ve provided you with a few examples of sentences that you can complete or draw ideas from.

• I am deeply grateful to XXX…
• I would like to express my sincere gratitude to XXX…
• I would like to offer my special thanks to XXX…
• I would like to extend my sincere thanks to XXX…
• …for their assistance at every stage of the research project.
• …for their insightful comments and suggestions.
• …for their contribution to XXX.
• …for their unwavering support and belief in me.

Thesis Acknowledgement Examples

Below are three PhD thesis acknowledgment samples from which you can draw inspiration. It should be noted that the following have been extracted from theses which are freely available in the public domain. Irrespective of this, references to any individual, department or university have been removed for the sake of privacy.

First and foremost I am extremely grateful to my supervisors, Prof. XXX and Dr. XXX for their invaluable advice, continuous support, and patience during my PhD study. Their immense knowledge and plentiful experience have encouraged me in all the time of my academic research and daily life. I would also like to thank Dr. XXX and Dr. XXX for their technical support on my study. I would like to thank all the members in the XXX. It is their kind help and support that have made my study and life in the UK a wonderful time. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my parents, my wife and my children. Without their tremendous understanding and encouragement in the past few years, it would be impossible for me to complete my study.

I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. XXX and Dr. XXX for all their help and advice with this PhD. I would also like to thank my sisters, whom without this would have not been possible. I also appreciate all the support I received from the rest of my family. Lastly, I would like to thank the XXX for the studentship that allowed me to conduct this thesis.

I would like to thank my esteemed supervisor – Dr. XXX for his invaluable supervision, support and tutelage during the course of my PhD degree. My gratitude extends to the Faculty of XXX for the funding opportunity to undertake my studies at the Department of XXX, University of XXX. Additionally, I would like to express gratitude to Dr. XXX for her treasured support which was really influential in shaping my experiment methods and critiquing my results. I also thank Dr. XXX, Dr. XXX, Dr. XXX for their mentorship. I would like to thank my friends, lab mates, colleagues and research team – XXX, XXX, XXX, XXX for a cherished time spent together in the lab, and in social settings. My appreciation also goes out to my family and friends for their encouragement and support all through my studies.

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Dissertation acknowledgments [with examples]

What are dissertation acknowledgements?

What to consider when writing your dissertation acknowledgments, who to thank in your dissertation acknowledgments, what (and what not) to write in your dissertation acknowledgments, good examples of dissertation acknowledgments, a final word on writing dissertation acknowledgments: have fun, frequently asked questions about dissertation acknowledgments, related articles.

While you may be the sole author of your dissertation, there are lots of people who help you through the process—from your formal dissertation advisors to the friends who may have cooked meals so that you could finish your last chapter . Dissertation acknowledgments are a chance to thank everyone who had a hand in the completion of your project.

Dissertation acknowledgments are a brief statement of your gratitude to advisors, professors, peers, family, and friends for their help and expertise.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• the most important things to consider when you’re writing your dissertation acknowledgments
• who to thank in your dissertation acknowledgments
• what (and what not) to write in your dissertation acknowledgments
• short examples of dissertation acknowledgments

Once you’re at the stage where you’re writing your dissertation acknowledgments, you may be tempted to kick back and relax. After all, the hard part of writing the dissertation itself is over and a list of thanks should be simple to churn out.

However, the acknowledgments are an important part of your overall work and are something that most people who read your dissertation, including prospective employers, will look at.

Tip: The best dissertation acknowledgements are concise, sincere, and memorable.

Approach this part of the process, brief as it may be compared to the long haul of writing the dissertation, with the same high level of care and attention to detail. It’s an explicit and permanent statement of who made a real impact on your work and contributed to your academic success.

Plus, the people you thank are often deeply moved by being included—some even go so far as to frame the acknowledgments. Aim to make yours sincere, memorable and something that people will be touched by.

First things first: who should you include in your dissertation acknowledgments? If you’re not sure who to thank, try the brainstorming technique to generate some ideas. Consider these two approaches:

• Make a list of everyone, both professional and personal, who was involved at any point during your work on your dissertation, and then thin down the list from there.
• Make a list of the pivotal aspects of your process and think about who was involved and how they helped.

As you select the people and groups to include in your dissertation acknowledgments, keep in mind that it’s essential to acknowledge your supervisor and anyone else with a visible connection to your work.

It’s an unfortunate reality that not every supervisor goes above and beyond to provide feedback and guidance to the students they are supposed to supervise. However, leaving them out, even if you personally felt disappointed by their involvement or lack thereof, could be seen as a snub.

You should end up with a fairly short list of people to thank. While being mindful of professional etiquette and personal feelings, be choosy about who makes the final cut since your acknowledgments should be limited to no more than a page.

Now that you have your list of people and groups to thank, it’s time to start writing. Before your first pen or keystroke, however, check your university’s guidelines as your institution may have specific rules around what can and cannot be included.

The standard practice is to begin with the formal and then progress to the informal, so the first people to mention would be:

• supervisors
• committee members
• other professional contacts

Use their full names and titles and go into brief detail about how they contributed to your work.

Once those are done, you can move on to the personal thanks, which can include friends, family, even pets. If you are so inclined, it is also considered appropriate to thank God or make mention of spiritual support.

You may also choose to inject a little humor at this point, but don’t get carried away and definitely don’t include sarcasm or critical comments of any kind, including self-critical ones. Remember that the acknowledgments precede your dissertation, so you want to be taken seriously.

A couple more basics that are essential when creating your acknowledgments:

• Position: Acknowledgments should be placed after the title page and before the abstract.
• Perspective: Write from the first-person perspective and speak in your own voice.

A really good way to get a sense of how to write your own dissertation acknowledgments is to read ones written by others. Notice which ones you respond particularly well to and use them as a model upon which to base your own.

Here are some good examples to help you get started:

I couldn’t have reached this goal without the help of many people in my life. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support.

First, my sincere thanks to my dissertation committee. The value of their guidance cannot be overstated. Dr. Elaine Gooding and Dr. Matthew Hunter provided much wisdom that helped me chart my course. I couldn’t have asked for a better supervisor than Dr. Fiona Moore, whose knowledge and experience guided me every step of the way.

Next, I’d like to thank my partner, Elliott. Your votes of confidence kept me going when my spirits dipped. I couldn’t have done this without you.

Last but not least, I’d like to acknowledge the emotional support provided by my family and friends. We made it to the top of the mountain! I look forward to celebrating with all of you.

This example is shorter, but still contains the key components:

Several people played a decisive role in my success and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them.

My chair, Dr. Ronald Saulk, provided invaluable support and infinite patience and I am truly grateful for all of his wisdom and guidance. I also owe the entire staff of the Wilhelm Library a debt of gratitude. From tracking down books and arranging for interlibrary loans to keeping the coffee maker in the lobby well-stocked and in good working order, they offered the practical help and kind gestures that made all the difference.

I’d also like to thank my family and God, for always being there for me.

One final piece of advice: enjoy this process. Writing a dissertation doesn’t happen every day, and the opportunity to acknowledge the important people in your life in a published format is as rare as it is wonderful.

What’s more, this part of your dissertation is unlike any other. It’s unbounded by the conventions that apply to the formal work. It’s a chance to really flex some creative muscle and let your personality shine through. So make the most of it and have fun!

In your dissertation acknowledgments, you thank everyone who has contributed to your work or supported you along the way. Who you want to thank is a very personal choice, but you should include your supervisors and anyone else with a visible connection to your work. You may also thank friends, family, and partners.

First, you need to come up with a list of people you want to thank in your dissertation acknowledgments. As a next step, begin with the formal and then progress to the informal, so the first people to mention would be supervisors, mentors, committees, and other professional contacts. Then, you can move on to the personal thanks, which can include friends, family, even pets.

Who you acknowledge in your dissertation is ultimately up to you. You should, however, thank your supervisor and anyone else with a visible connection to your work. Leaving them out, even if you personally felt disappointed by their involvement or lack thereof, could be seen as a snub. In addition, you can thank friends, partners or family.

There are many ways so you can acknowledge your dissertation supervisor. Some examples can be found in this article above. If you need more examples, you can find them here .

While acknowledgments are usually more present in academic theses, they can also be a part of research papers. In academic theses, acknowledgments are usually found at the beginning, somewhere between abstract and introduction. In research papers, acknowledgments are usually found at the end of the paper.

Dedication in Dissertation: 5 Tips for Consistent Progress

A dedication in a dissertation is a personal tribute to someone or a group of people who have inspired or helped the author with their thesis. It is usually a single sentence at the beginning of the dissertation, serving as a meaningful personal touch to acknowledge those who have supported the author throughout their research journey.

The importance of dedications in dissertations cannot be understated. They provide an opportunity for the author to express gratitude and appreciation to those who have played a significant role in their academic pursuits. Dedications can serve as a testament to the author’s personal and professional growth, as well as a way to honor individuals who have made a profound impact on their lives.

In this article, we will explore:

• The significance of dedications in dissertations
• Guidance on how to write them effectively
• Different types of dedications with examples

By understanding these aspects, you will be able to create a powerful dedication that adds value to your dissertation and resonates with your readers.

Types of Dedication in a Dissertation

1. informal dedication.

An informal dedication in a dissertation is a personal and heartfelt expression of gratitude to individuals who have played a significant role in the author’s academic journey. It is characterized by its casual and warm tone, often reflecting the author’s genuine emotions and appreciation. Informal dedications can take various forms, ranging from lighthearted anecdotes to sincere acknowledgments of support.

Examples of informal dedications in dissertations:

• “To my parents, whose unwavering encouragement and love have been my guiding light throughout this challenging but rewarding academic pursuit.”
• “In loving memory of my dear friend, whose passion for learning continues to inspire me every day.”

These examples illustrate how informal dedications can encompass diverse sentiments, making them deeply personal and meaningful to the author.

2. Formal Dedication

When it comes to dedications in dissertations , there are various types that authors can choose from to express their gratitude and appreciation. In addition to informal dedications, another common type is the formal dedication. Let’s explore what a formal dedication entails and provide some examples of how it can be incorporated into dissertations.

A formal dedication is characterized by its professional tone and structure. It is usually concise and straightforward, focusing on expressing gratitude to specific individuals or groups who have played a significant role in supporting the author throughout their research journey. Unlike informal dedications, which may incorporate personal anecdotes or lighthearted language, formal dedications maintain a more serious and respectful tone.

Here are a few examples of formal dedications found in dissertations:

• “To my advisor, Dr. Jane Smith, whose guidance and expertise have been invaluable in shaping this research.”
• “In memory of my late grandfather, John Johnson, whose unwavering support and encouragement inspired me to pursue this academic endeavor.”
• “To my parents, John and Sarah Davis, for their unwavering belief in my abilities and constant encouragement throughout this challenging process.”

As you can see from these examples, formal dedications focus on acknowledging specific individuals who have made a significant impact on the author’s academic journey. By adopting a more formal tone, these dedications convey a sense of professionalism while still expressing heartfelt gratitude.

3. Anecdotal Dedication

Anecdotal dedication in a dissertation involves sharing a personal story or experience that reflects the author’s gratitude or appreciation. This type of dedication often includes a brief narrative that adds a personal touch to the acknowledgment section. Anecdotal dedications aim to connect with the readers on an emotional level by sharing a specific event or memory that highlights the support or inspiration received during the dissertation process.

Examples of anecdotal dedications in dissertations:

• “To my late grandmother, whose unwavering belief in my academic pursuits continues to inspire me every day. Your wisdom and encouragement have been the guiding light throughout this journey.”
• “In loving memory of my mentor, Dr. Smith, whose passion for research and dedication to teaching have left an indelible mark on my academic pursuits. Your guidance will forever resonate in my work.”

These examples illustrate how anecdotal dedications can capture personal connections and honor individuals who have made a meaningful impact on the author’s academic endeavors.

4. Memorial Dedication

A memorial dedication in a dissertation is a heartfelt tribute to someone who has passed away and had a significant impact on the author’s academic journey. It serves as a touching remembrance and acknowledges the influence and support provided by the individual, despite their absence during the completion of the dissertation.

Here are some examples of memorial dedications in dissertations:

• “In loving memory of my dear mentor, Professor John Smith, whose wisdom and guidance continue to inspire my academic pursuits. Your legacy lives on through this work.”
• “Dedicated to the loving memory of my grandmother, whose unwavering belief in education has been the guiding light throughout my scholarly endeavors. Your spirit remains with me always.”

Guidelines for Writing an Impactful Dedication in Your Dissertation

When it comes to writing a dedication in your dissertation, it is essential to choose the right words and create a meaningful connection with your audience. Here are some guidelines to help you write an impactful dedication:

• Choose an Appropriate Dedication : Consider who your audience is and select a dedication that resonates with them. Think about the people who have supported you throughout your research journey and consider their interests, values, and contributions. This will ensure that your dedication is relevant and meaningful to those reading your dissertation.
• Establish a Personal Connection : The dedication section is an opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation to the individuals or groups who have played a significant role in your academic pursuits. To establish a personal connection, you can use specific names, anecdotes, or shared experiences that demonstrate the impact these individuals have had on your work. This personal touch adds depth and authenticity to the dedication.
• Craft an Effective Dedication Sentence : The dedication sentence sets the tone for the entire section. It should be concise yet powerful, capturing the essence of your gratitude in just a few words. Consider using vivid language or poetic elements to make it memorable. For example:

“To my parents, whose unwavering support has been my guiding light through this academic journey.”

• Express Gratitude and Appreciation : The dedication is an opportunity to express your heartfelt thanks to those who have contributed to your success. Be genuine and specific in acknowledging their support, guidance, or inspiration. You can highlight specific instances where their assistance was particularly valuable or mention how their encouragement kept you motivated during challenging times.

“I am grateful for Professor Smith’s invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout this research process. Their expertise and unwavering belief in my abilities have shaped me into the researcher I am today.”

“To my partner, who provided endless love, encouragement, and sacrifices during this demanding journey. Your unwavering support kept me going even when I doubted myself.”

Remember, the dedication is a way to honor and recognize those who have been instrumental in your academic success. Take the time to carefully consider your words and ensure that they truly reflect your gratitude and appreciation.

By following these guidelines, you can create an impactful dedication that not only acknowledges the support you received but also adds a personal touch to your dissertation.

Etiquette for Including Dedications in Dissertations

When including dedications in your dissertation, it’s important to follow proper etiquette guidelines and maintain professionalism. Here are some key things to consider:

• Relevance : Make sure the dedication relates to the academic context of the dissertation and fits with the overall tone of the work.
• Appropriateness : Be careful when choosing who to mention in the dedication, considering their connection to the research and the formal nature of the document.
• Respect : Be sensitive to personal matters and privacy, especially when writing memorial dedications or personal stories.
• Consistency : Keep the formatting and language consistent throughout the dedication section to present a professional appearance.
• Professional Tone : Use language that is appropriate for a formal document, even in informal dedications, to show sincerity while maintaining scholarly standards.

Following these guidelines will ensure that your dissertation’s dedications add value to your work and show gratitude and respect to those who have supported you academically.

The dedication in a dissertation is an important way to honor and thank those who have supported you during your academic journey. It’s a chance to show gratitude to the people who have helped you with your research. By acknowledging their impact, you are adding a meaningful personal touch to your dissertation, creating a lasting record of the connections and relationships that have enriched your academic pursuit.

Whether it’s an informal dedication filled with warmth and personal stories or a formal dedication showing respect and thanks, recognizing those who have played a crucial role in your dissertation is a powerful gesture. It shows not only appreciation but also reveals your character and integrity as a researcher.

The dedication section in your dissertation is more than just a customary part at the beginning; it represents the essence of your academic journey, reflecting the relationships, experiences, and connections that have shaped your scholarly pursuits. In this way, dedications go beyond being formalities; they are evidence of how human connections are vital in the quest for knowledge.

As you prepare to write your dedication, see it as an opportunity to genuinely express gratitude and make a lasting impact on your readers.

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Thesis / dissertation formatting manual (2024).

• Filing Fees and Student Status
• Submission Process Overview
• Electronic Thesis Submission
• Paper Thesis Submission
• Formatting Overview
• Fonts/Typeface
• Pagination, Margins, Spacing
• Paper Thesis Formatting
• Preliminary Pages Overview
• Copyright Page

Dedication Page

• Table of Contents
• List of Figures (etc.)
• Acknowledgements
• Text and References Overview
• Figures and Illustrations
• Using Your Own Previously Published Materials
• Using Copyrighted Materials by Another Author
• Open Access and Embargoes
• Copyright and Creative Commons
• Ordering Print (Bound) Copies
• Tutorials and Assistance
• FAQ This link opens in a new window

The Dedication Page is optional. If you choose to include a Dedication Page, please ensure that:

• You are using the same font as in the rest of your manuscript.
• No images are included.
• Page number ii appears centered at the bottom of the page.

​Please note that the Dedication Page is different from the Acknowledgements Page.

Dedication Page Example

Here is an example of a dedication page from the template:

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• Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Published on 4 May 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on 4 November 2022.

The acknowledgements section is your opportunity to thank those who have helped and supported you personally and professionally during your thesis or dissertation process.

Thesis or dissertation acknowledgements appear between your title page and abstract  and should be no longer than one page.

In your acknowledgements, it’s okay to use a more informal style than is usually permitted in academic writing , as well as first-person pronouns . Acknowledgements are not considered part of the academic work itself, but rather your chance to write something more personal.

To get started, download our step-by-step template in the format of your choice below. We’ve also included sample sentence starters to help you construct your acknowledgments section from scratch.

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Table of contents

Who to thank in your acknowledgements, how to write acknowledgements, acknowledgements section example, acknowledgements dos and don’ts, frequently asked questions.

Generally, there are two main categories of acknowledgements: professional and personal .

A good first step is to check your university’s guidelines, as they may have rules or preferences about the order, phrasing, or layout of acknowledgements. Some institutions prefer that you keep your acknowledgements strictly professional.

Regardless, it’s usually a good idea to place professional acknowledgements first, followed by any personal ones. You can then proceed by ranking who you’d like to thank from most formal to least.

• Chairs, supervisors, or defence committees
• Funding bodies
• Other academics (e.g., colleagues or cohort members)
• Editors or proofreaders
• Librarians, research/laboratory assistants, or study participants
• Family, friends, or pets

Typically, it’s only necessary to mention people who directly supported you during your thesis or dissertation. However, if you feel that someone like a secondary school physics teacher was a great inspiration on the path to your current research, feel free to include them as well.

Professional acknowledgements

It is crucial to avoid overlooking anyone who helped you professionally as you completed your thesis or dissertation. As a rule of thumb, anyone who directly contributed to your research should be mentioned.

A few things to keep in mind include:

• Even if you feel your chair didn’t help you very much, you should still thank them first to avoid looking like you’re snubbing them.
• Be sure to follow academic conventions, using full names with titles where appropriate.
• If several members of a group or organisation assisted you, mention the collective name only.
• Remember the ethical considerations around anonymised data. If you wish to protect someone’s privacy, use only their first name or a generic identifier (such as ‘the interviewees’).

Personal acknowledgements

There is no need to mention every member of your family or friend group. However, if someone was particularly inspiring or supportive, you may wish to mention them specifically. Many people choose to thank parents, partners, children, friends, and even pets, but you can mention anyone who offered moral support or encouragement, or helped you in a tangible or intangible way.

Some students may wish to dedicate their dissertation to a deceased influential person in their personal life. In this case, it’s okay to mention them first, before any professional acknowledgements.

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After you’ve compiled a list of who you’d like to thank, you can then sort your list into rank order. Separate everyone you listed into ‘major thanks’, ‘big thanks’, and ‘minor thanks’ categories.

• ‘Major thanks’ are given to people who your project would be impossible without. These are often predominantly professional acknowledgements, such as your advisor , chair, and committee, as well as any funders.
• ‘Big thanks’ are an in-between, for those who helped you along the way or helped you grow intellectually, such as classmates, peers, or librarians.
• ‘Minor thanks’ can be a catch-all for everyone else, especially those who offered moral support or encouragement. This can include personal acknowledgements, such as parents, partners, children, friends, or even pets.

How to phrase your acknowledgements

To avoid acknowledgements that sound repetitive or dull, consider changing up your phrasing. Here are some examples of common sentence starters you can use for each category.

Note that you do not need to write any sort of conclusion or summary at the end. You can simply end the acknowledgements with your last thank-you.

Here’s an example of how you can combine the different sentences to write your acknowledgements.

A simple construction consists of a sentence starter (in purple highlight ), followed by the person or entity mentioned (in green highlight ), followed by what you’re thanking them for (in yellow highlight .)

Acknowledgements

Words cannot express my gratitude to my professor and chair of my committee for her invaluable patience and feedback. I also could not have undertaken this journey without my defense committee, who generously provided knowledge and expertise. Additionally, this endeavor would not have been possible without the generous support from the MacArthur Foundation, who financed my research .

I am also grateful to my classmates and cohort members, especially my office mates, for their editing help, late-night feedback sessions, and moral support. Thanks should also go to the librarians, research assistants, and study participants from the university, who impacted and inspired me.

Lastly, I would be remiss in not mentioning my family, especially my parents, spouse, and children. Their belief in me has kept my spirits and motivation high during this process. I would also like to thank my cat for all the entertainment and emotional support.

• Write in first-person, professional language
• Thank your professional contacts first
• Include full names, titles, and roles of professional acknowledgements
• Include personal or intangible supporters, like friends, family, or even pets
• Mention funding bodies and what they funded
• Appropriately anonymise or group research participants or non-individual acknowledgments

Don’t:

• Use informal language or slang
• Go over one page in length
• Mention people who had only a peripheral or minor impact on your work

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You may acknowledge God in your thesis or dissertation acknowledgements , but be sure to follow academic convention by also thanking the relevant members of academia, as well as family, colleagues, and friends who helped you.

Yes, it’s important to thank your supervisor(s) in the acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation .

Even if you feel your supervisor did not contribute greatly to the final product, you still should acknowledge them, if only for a very brief thank you. If you do not include your supervisor, it may be seen as a snub.

In the acknowledgements of your thesis or dissertation, you should first thank those who helped you academically or professionally, such as your supervisor, funders, and other academics.

Then you can include personal thanks to friends, family members, or anyone else who supported you during the process.

The acknowledgements are generally included at the very beginning of your thesis or dissertation, directly after the title page and before the abstract .

In a thesis or dissertation, the acknowledgements should usually be no longer than one page. There is no minimum length.

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Sample dedication and acknowledgement for thesis writing

Just Like You Are Acknowledging Receiving Your Academy Awardn.

Uncover Some Tips For Acknowledge Graciously And Superbly To Folks Whose Support Made Your Thesis Possible

What’s Thesis Acknowledgement?

Thesis acknowledgment provides you with an chance to exhibit your gratitude for anyone who was with you inside your thesis writing task. In thesis Acknowledgement, you thank everyone who provided their help you healthy of recommendation, suggestions, and then any other.

Writing Thesis Acknowledgements

Writing thesis acknowledgements is itself an elated feeling which makes you think the conclusion of the thesis so ultimately you are feeling great and prefer to say good words. There are several ideas to help you out for writing thesis acknowledgement.

• Laboratory assistants
• Now you have to narrow lower their email list to individuals names who performed a significant role inside your assistance and finalize them to incorporate in thesis acknowledgement.
• Compose a brief essay and employ phrases that describe “How by way of thanking?”
• Attempt to limit thesis acknowledgement within on-page.

Writing Thesis Acknowledgements Phrases It is crucial to make use of proper and appropriate theses acknowledgement phrases as it is the time to show how deeply your debt to folks who supported inside your thesis. You might initiate writing your thesis acknowledgement using the following phrases:

• This thesis will not have been possible unless…..
• I’m grateful……
• It’s a pleasure by way of thanking individuals who chose to make this thesis possible….
• I owe my greatest gratitude to……….
• It’s an recognition for me personally to….
• He’s provided his support in many ways…
• I must thank……
• I’m in financial trouble to my a lot of my colleagues to aid me…….
• I must show my gratitude to………

Thesis Acknowledgement Page

You are meant to present your Thesis Acknowledgement Page within the following format:

• Thesis Acknowledgement is positioned following the and dedication pages.
• Leave suitably equal margins on every side.
• Place heading “Acknowledgements” in core page.
• Leave 4-ine space below “Acknowledgements” heading.
• Place page number in needed style.

Note: Presentation type of Thesis Acknowledgement Page can vary as it is sometimes an optional task.

Thesis Acknowledgement Sample

I’m heartily grateful to my supervisor, Jane Morrison, whose encouragement, guidance and support in the initial towards the final level enabled me to build up an awareness from the subject.

Lastly, I offer my regards and benefits to any or all of individuals who supported me whatsoever throughout the completing the work.

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This thesis examines various tries to construe theism being an explanatory hypothesis and also to defend it with arguments much like individuals used in the confirmation of scientific ideas. It’s the purpose of the work to exhibit that this type of construal does not confirm theism as well as in actuality results in its disconfirmation.

The very first chapter argues that theism is inevitably reduced to pseudoscience if it’s put into direct competition with scientific theories. This really is highlighted through the illustration of the “scientific” creationists, who make an effort to support theism by putting it towards transformative theory. It’s contended, resistant to the claims of some recent philosophers of science, that the obvious distinction could be attracted between science and pseudoscience. Demarcation criteria are developed and used to show why theism can’t be a strictly scientific hypothesis.

The 2nd and third chapters check out the attempts of George Schlesinger and Richard Swinburne to create inductive reformulations of traditional theistic arguments. Their tries to apply confirmation theory for the theistic hypothesis are presented and belittled. It’s figured the concepts of confirmation theory are extremely unlikely to land much support towards the theistic hypothesis.

The rest of the thesis asks whether arguments for that disconfirmation of theism could be provided. The 4th chapter examines numerous arguments from the miraculous. It’s contended that, though it’s very unlikely that miracles could receive confirmation sufficient to convince skeptics, no cogent anti-theistic argument could be with different critique from the miraculous. The ultimate chapter develops an hypothesis-disconfirming form of the issue of evil. It’s proven how evil works as a counterexample towards the theistic hypothesis and just how two recent tries to produce sufficient theodicies fail. The thesis concludes with a few glare around the effects of theism and naturalism.

This thesis is devoted to my dad, who trained me the perfect understanding to possess is the fact that that is learned because of its own sake. It’s also focused on my mother, who trained me that the largest task can be achieved if it’s done a stride at any given time.

Dr. Carlos G. Prado continues to be the perfect thesis supervisor. His sage advice, insightful criticisms, and patient encouragement aided the writing of the thesis in countless ways. I’d like by way of thanking Dr. J.E. Bickenbach whose steadfast support of the project was greatly needed and deeply appreciated.

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How to Write Dedication Page for a Thesis, Dissertation or a Research Paper

• How to Write Dedication Page…

Table of Contents

Writing About Dedication Samples

What is a Dedication Page in a Thesis or Research Paper

This part is, basically, a source to offer warmest gratefulness of the writer towards any other person for whom he wish to pay honor. Dedication page always comes on the front of the book or thesis. So, if you have done with your research and now planning to write a dedication page in a book or thesis then this article would be the right choice for you. Here, you will come with dedication quotes , words for dedication , sample dedication and other dedication examples that will assist you in turning your dedication a great blast.

Some Helpful Tips to Remember Before Writing the Dedication Page of Thesis

First of all, remember writing a dedication page for a thesis, dissertation or a is not a difficult deal. Though, it is a fact that a little bit of concentration and focus can better guide you in writing a great dedication page for your final project. Basically, dedication page shows your devotion and sense of appreciation for those who have assisted you in the pursuit of your academic goal. It can be termed as a source of acknowledgment for those who have offered their help whole heartedly in the fulfillment of your studies. However, it is also interesting to note that dedication page is totally optional and up to your willingness to add or subtract. Sometimes, it happens that you get quite nostalgic when start finding out people in your memory who have supported you to get in touch with the finish line of your project. Anyways, you do not need to worry about such situation as you can streamline all the names and add them in the dedication segment.

Helpful Guide to Write a Dedication Page in Research

Here are some important points to remember before going through dedication writing.

• First of all, if you are going to add dedication page in your term paper, thesis or dissertation then it should always be added just after endorsement.
• The dedication page will not be numbered as well as it will not be counted in total page count.
• Formatting of dedication page is also unrestricted. You can easily go with any style or format. Anyways, for better output, it is also recommended that always follow the advice of your supervisor or project coordinator regarding the style and formatting of dedication page. You can read more about in detail including the , , and  .
• The dedication page should be briefest and should not exceed from one page.
• Before starting dedication page, you should develop a list of institutions as well as people you wish to pay tribute to. Individuals that you are choosing might be your parents, siblings or peers who have helped you in any way during your career. The support they offer you might be moral as well as monetary. Dedication is paid just to offer a thankful note towards their sincere support. Institutions are added in the dedication that have supported in your research or funded you with a scholarship for the successful fulfillment of your thesis or dissertation.

You can read more about the .

Steps to Write a Dedication Page for Your Thesis or Research Paper

Remember, your dedication may be formal to informal. You can also go with beautiful dedication quotes or poems for this page of your thesis. On formal note, you can dedicate your work to your professor, supervisor, parents or any institution that supported you in the fulfillment of your academic goal. On the other hand, informal options might be your siblings, peers or even a favorite pet. However, whatever the choice you make, remember to enclose the reason of your dedication to that specific person or institution.

Here are some tips as how you can address a dedication as well as sample dedications for your assistance.

Tips on How to Address a Dedication

There are so many ways in which you can easily address your dedication. For example

• “This is dedicated to …”
• “I would like to dedicate my work to…”
• “I dedicate this book to…”
• “In dedication to my…”
• “It is our genuine gratefulness and warmest regard that we dedicate this work to…”

Alternative Formats for a Dedication

It is quite interesting to note that funny anecdotes and poems may also be the part of your dedication. However, it is better option to keep your dedication as concise and simple as it can be. Read some .

Sample of Dedication for a Book

Here are some examples from famous

“To my wife Marganit and my children Ella Rose and Daniel Adam without whom this book would have been completed two years earlier.”

“For Beatrice-I cherished, you perished.The world’s been night-marished.”

“To caffeine and sugar, my companions through many a long night of writing.”

“To Mom, Who took me to the library.”

Author:  Nadia Ansari

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Main navigation, optional sections.

Example: Dedication (Optional)

A Dedication honors those who inspired or encouraged the initiation and completion of the master's or doctoral degree. This includes, but is not limited to spouses, parents, significant others, siblings, professors, other students, etc. The Dedication is optional - students do not need to include a dedication section in their thesis/dissertation.

General Formatting

• Line Spacing: Double-spaced.
• Page Number: No page number is included on the Dedication section.

Section Heading Formatting

• All 1st-order headings must be 2" from the top edge of the page and must be styled consistently.

Content Formatting

• Use the same paragraph style and formatting used in the body of the manuscript.

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William Wang receives PMSE Early Investigator Award

The American Chemical Society's Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering ( PMSE ) Division, which provides a polymer-based forum for the exchange of technical information and activities to foster interactions in polymer materials science and engineering, has recognized Xiaoguang (William) Wang as a 2024 PMSE Early Investigator for his work designing novel dynamic materials and systems based on colloidal and interfacial phenomena. 

PMSE Early Investigators are chosen from early-career emerging leaders who have made significant contributions in their respective fields within polymer materials science and engineering. Wang is one of 24 individuals selected to receive the award. 

Wang’s research objective is to utilize novel material synthesis, molecular and colloidal self-assembly, characterization, and microfabrication to create dynamic and anisotropic material systems that exhibits elementary sensors, actuators and electronics in response to external cues via the reconfiguration of its shape, optical and physicochemical properties. 

Wang joined the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering as a tenure-track assistant professor in January 2019 after completing a postdoctoral position at Harvard University working with Professor Joanna Aizenberg. He earned his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin working with Professor Nicholas Abbott.

Wang's research has earned recognition through other significant awards, including the coveted  NSF CAREER Award  in January 2024. In 2022 he participated in the prestigious Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Risers project and received two important recognitions from Essential Science Indicators (ESI): the ESI Top Article Award and the ESI Highly Cited Paper Award, reserved for papers ranking among the top 1% of Wang's academic field, which is Materials Science.

Civil engineering student aims to connect construction and community

Joseph cortas is a fourth-year student enrolled in the ceas accend program.

Ever since he was a child,  Joseph Cortas  was enthralled by the energy of construction sites.

Joseph Cortas, CEAS Class of 2025.

While his initial fascination centered on large trucks, his childhood interest sent him down a path of professional and personal discovery. 

Today, Cortas is a fourth-year student concurrently pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering through the  ACCEND accelerated degree program  at the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science. 

The recipient of the  Cincinnati Presidential Scholarship , the Structural Engineering Institute Student Scholarship, the  CEAS Undergraduate Research Fellowship , and the Kentucky Governor’s Scholarship, he has also been an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Structural Engineering Institute, CEAS Ambassadors, and CEAS Tribunal. After a stint as the VP of collegiate affairs for CEAS’ student government, Cortas was appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine as  UC’s Undergraduate Student Trustee . 

Cortas aims to utilize his interest and knowledge of civil engineering to make a tangible impact on the lives of those in his community. 

Joseph Cortas poses with a hardhat in the High Bay Structural Lab at CEAS.

“How we choose to build our buildings inherently affects how we interact as a society and a community as a whole,” Cortas said. “In high school, I took a college course on life and construction, which looked at how the built environment around us shapes the way that we interact with each other. It inspired me to further involve myself with a lot of community work and advocacy to build relationships with not just my classmates, but also the larger community around me, to better understand how to best utilize the things we make for people. It’s always been fascinating for me to see the intersection of engineering and how it impacts lives.”

After touring more than 10 universities, Cortas ultimately wanted an academic experience that put the student’s development and support at the center of the experience, which he found at CEAS. 

"I wanted a faculty and support system that very obviously placed the student at the center of the experience,” Cortas said. “I wanted to feel the understanding that engineering can be difficult and competitive at times. In my experience, academic and personal support permeates through CEAS, whether it’s cooperative education or instruction.”

Joseph Cortas attends a student trustee conference in Columbus, Ohio. Pictured are Jordan Conner, Deputy Director of Boards and Commissions, Collin Claywell, Operations Manager of Boards and Commissions, Haley Dees, Student Trustee from Kent State University, Natalie Dando from Youngstown State University, Kevin Bishop from the University of Toledo, and Akshat Shah from Cleveland State University.

Cortas credits the wide variety of experiences he has had during his time at UC to the connections and learning he has gained. He joined CEAS Ambassadors partially because he had such a positive experience with one when he toured UC as a high school student. He also went on to make various administrative connections through his time with CEAS Tribunal , eventually culminating in his own leadership experiences in student government . And of course, through his co-op experience , Cortas was able to tangibly contribute to his personal and professional development. 

When the time came to co-op for Cortas, he found himself excited at the vast array of possibilities ahead of him. After a comprehensive national search, Cortas chose to work in Milwaukee for HGA, an architectural engineering firm based in Minneapolis.  During his multiple rotations with the firm, Cortas was able to embark on a variety of real-world assignments, such as developing and reviewing construction drawings, performing structural analysis, and performing construction administration activities. He even got to work on a 17-story, $1.5 billion building. 

"I was abable to access a variety of options throughout my search. I was in a unique position because I didn’t have to go to any particular kind of place. I told myself that I would rather find the right position instead of worrying about where it would send me geographically, and it worked out for me,” Cortas said. 

"I thought it was a big deal that there was an emphasis from both UC and the company to do multiple co-op rotations. While it’s true that some people go to several companies, there have been many cases where students grow far more over subsequent co-op rotations with the same organization,” he said. “I was the only co-op student in a structural engineering department of around 20 people. Through time, the ability to interact so personally with people who possess so much knowledge was invaluable. I would not be where I am now if I didn’t leave my comfort zone and gain this experience through co-op.”

Joseph Cortas photographs a test specimen during preparation for cyclic tensile testing in the High Bay Structural Lab at CEAS.

Cortas’ success with HGA and his broad range of experiences led him to his final two co-op rotations working on thesis research assignments under James Swanson and Gian Rassati , associate professors of civil engineering at UC. The work is funded by the American Institute of Steel Construction. Cortas embraces this research work, which he describes as very different from industry work, while simultaneously balancing classes as part of the ACCEND program. ACCEND students can complete four co-op rotations instead of five, with the extra academic semester in their fourth year spent beginning graduate course work. 

“The ACCEND program played a big part in influencing my decision to come to UC. I think that so many students can benefit from just taking one graduate course, but the program allows and teaches so much about balancing work and the sheer variety of paths engineers can take. "

Joseph Cortas, CEAS '25

"It's been huge to have the opportunity to work in these respective fields in addition to directly learning the material,” Cortas said. “The ACCEND program played a big part in influencing my decision to come to UC. I think that so many students can benefit from just taking one graduate course, but the program allows and teaches so much about balancing work and the sheer variety of paths engineers can take. When I think about all of the knowledge that I will have cultivated in just five years, it opens up a lot of doors. There’s an incredible amount of respect that I have for all of the faculty, academic advisers , and mentors that have helped me along the way.”

While Cortas is deeply appreciative that his masters work has allowed him to develop connections and garner experiences that he otherwise may not have, he continues searching for the perfect intersection to combine his engineering skills with the leadership ability he has acquired. 

"I've pursued various roles of leadership within the university. Whether it was being in CEAS Tribunal or a student ambassador, or being the vice president of collegiate affairs, I have always looked for ways to get involved and make a difference around me,” Cortas said. “With whatever work I pursue, I ask myself: how can the work that I do impact communities and support people where they are?”

Joseph Cortas in his capacity as Student Trustee at UC Commencement.

Reflecting back on his journey as a Bearcat, Cortas found his experiences with people to be the most impactful. He highlighted his time as a tutor with Bearcat Buddies, UC’s mentorship program for Cincinnati Public School students, and his assignment to visit Uruguay to talk about the importance of education as a part of a U.S. State Department student delegation. 

“I’ve always wanted to emphasize the importance of representation. There is a big weight to be carried when you’re an ambassador representing a community, in any sense. Realizing how much the ability to do good can actually change things is so powerful,” he said. “All of the roles that I’ve had were natural progressions in me wanting to better aid and advocate for the voices of my community. The aim to do good has been the guiding light throughout my journey, and I hope I can leave everyone that I work with in a better position for the future.”

Featured image at top: Joseph Cortas performing weld tests in the High Bay Structural Lab at CEAS. Photo/Provided

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Autumn Maher, a University of Cincinnati civil engineering student who will graduate in 2022, was one of just a few students nationwide selected for the 2021 Student Leadership Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for her leadership and dedication to the UC student chapter. Maher is president of UC's student chapter and has interned at Marathon Petroleum.

Teen earns doctoral degree at 17 after defending her dissertation

Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II was 10 when she entered college as a freshman.

A teenager from Chicago walked in her graduation ceremony this month after earning her doctoral degree at 17.

Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II was only 10 when she became a freshman at the college of Lake County, majoring in Psychology. In 2020, she earned her Master of Science from Unity College. She was accepted in 2021, when she was 15, into the Doctor of Behavioral Health Management Program at Arizona State University.

Teen who battled leukemia and homelessness as a child graduates college at 18

Speaking to "Good Morning America," Tillman said she has always held education in such high regard in part due to her family's background.

"People in my life like my grandmother, who was part of the Civil Rights Movement, she of course harped on the importance of education and consistently learning something always," Tillman said.

"But the way I always held education so high on my own, aside from being raised that way was finding different things to be educated about it doesn't just have to be all of the subjects that they teach you in school there's so many things in the world to learn about that we wish we knew about," she said. "I feel like that urge to learn something new just never didn't exist for me."

Tillman said, growing up, she had always felt drawn towards psychology and related fields.

"They've always made me so curious," she said. "And so grinding away, I could continue to study in that area. With even more that was attached to it. It was just really intriguing to me."

In December 2023, at 17, Tillman successfully defended her dissertation to earn her doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from ASU's College of Health Solutions. On May 6, she walked at ASU's commencement ceremonies.

Tillman told "GMA" prior to the big day that she was feeling "so excited," just like any other student.

"I love having a reason to celebrate and throw a big soirée," she said. "Just that walk, and especially with people I haven't been there, seeing every day, since my program is online, it's just gonna feel really fulfilling to finish."

Dr. Leslie Manson, a clinical associate professor at ASU, told "GMA" that Tillman is the youngest person in school history to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health.

"It's a wonderful celebration, and we hope ... that Dorothy Jean inspires more students," Manson said, adding of Tillman, "But this is still something so rare and unique."

'Super dad' graduates with master's while working 3 jobs

Throughout Tillman's time at ASU, Mason said she saw her growth in gaining the skills of professional writing as well as leadership, noting that Tillman is "inquisitive" and "intelligent."

"She has innovative ideas and motivation, which is wonderful," Mason explained. "And truly, I think what is inspiring is that she embodies that meaning of being a true leader."

Mason added that "other students can really learn the piece of dedication" from Tillman.

"So that motivating energy, those are the pieces that I think other folks can really turn to and feel inspired about," she said. "That curiosity is always there. And I think all learners come with that. But it's great to be able to see it in someone so young as well."

Her inspiration and how she gives back to community

Tillman's journey to success wouldn't be made possible without the support from her mom whom she said is one of her biggest motivators.

"Seeing my mother consistently worked so hard to continuously uphold our family's legacy, and be that person that everyone was able to go to, if they needed anything... Always seeing [her] like [a] 'Wonder Woman' definitely made me want to grow up [into] an accomplished person," she said.

An advocate for education, Tillman is also the founder and CEO of the Dorothyjeanius STEAM Leadership Institute, where she runs programs like summer camps to help kids find balance between arts and STEM subjects.

"I feel like adding art and putting a focus on it throughout science, technology, engineering, and math, makes the kids excited to learn all those things," she said. "And it opens them up to all of the possibilities and all the knowledge provided in that area of just STEM."

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As for her plans after graduation, Tillman said she is "just like any other teenager, still figuring out what my specific dreams and goals are."

"And I'm really just grateful that the world is my oyster, and that I've done so much so young. And I have time to like, kind of think that through," she said.

Discussing her advice to other youngsters, Tillman said she would remind them to be careful about being influenced on what they see on social media, noting that some posts "aren't real."

"There's a lot more to whatever it is than what you're seeing, you know, and so to always remember that is definitely important," she said. "And to always remember that everyone has points in their life where they feel like they're figuring it out…And so figuring things out, not knowing what you want, isn't a bad thing. But making the choice not to sit down and try to figure it out is."

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Four from MIT named 2024 Knight-Hennessy Scholars

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MIT senior Owen Dugan, graduate student Vittorio Colicci ’22, predoctoral research fellow Carine You ’22, and recent alumna Carina Letong Hong ’22 are recipients of this year’s Knight-Hennessy Scholarships. The competitive fellowship, now in its seventh year, funds up to three years of graduate studies in any field at Stanford University. To date, 22 MIT students and alumni have been awarded Knight-Hennessy Scholarships.

“We are excited for these students to continue their education at Stanford with the generous support of the Knight Hennessy Scholarship,” says Kim Benard, associate dean of distinguished fellowships in Career Advising and Professional Development. “They have all demonstrated extraordinary dedication, intellect, and leadership, and this opportunity will allow them to further hone their skills to make real-world change.”

Vittorio Colicci ’22

Vittorio Colicci, from Trumbull, Connecticut, graduated from MIT in May 2022 with a BS in aerospace engineering and physics. He will receive his master’s degree in planetary sciences this spring. At Stanford, Colicci will pursue a PhD in earth and planetary sciences at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. He hopes to investigate how surface processes on Earth and Mars have evolved through time alongside changes in habitability. Colicci has worked largely on spacecraft engineering projects, developing a monodisperse silica ceramic for electrospray thrusters and fabricating high-energy diffraction gratings for space telescopes. As a Presidential Graduate Fellow at MIT, he examined the influence of root geometry on soil cohesion for early terrestrial plants using 3D-printed reconstructions. Outside of research, Colicci served as co-director of TEDxMIT and propulsion lead for the MIT Rocket Team. He is also passionate about STEM engagement and outreach, having taught educational workshops in Zambia and India.

Owen Dugan, from Sleepy Hollow, New York, is a senior majoring in physics. As a Knight-Hennessy Scholar, he will pursue a PhD in computer science at the Stanford School of Engineering. Dugan aspires to combine artificial intelligence and physics, developing AI that enables breakthroughs in physics and using physics techniques to design more capable and safe AI systems. He has collaborated with researchers from Harvard University, the University of Chicago, and DeepMind, and has presented his first-author research at venues including the International Conference on Machine Learning, the MIT Mechanistic Interpretability Conference, and the American Physical Society March Meeting. Among other awards, Dugan is a Hertz Finalist, a U.S. Presidential Scholar, an MIT Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awardee, a Research Science Institute Scholar, and a Neo Scholar. He is also a co-founder of VeriLens, a funded startup enabling trust on the internet by cryptographically verifying digital media.

Carina Letong Hong ’22

Carina Letong Hong, from Canton, China, is currently pursuing a JD/PhD in mathematics at Stanford. A first-generation college student, Hong graduated from MIT in May 2022 with a double major in mathematics and physics and was inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor society. She then earned a neuroscience master’s degree with dissertation distinctions from the University of Oxford, where she conducted artificial intelligence and machine learning research at Sainsbury Wellcome Center’s Gatsby Unit. At Stanford Law School, Hong provides legal aid to low-income workers and uses economic analysis to push for law enforcement reform. She has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals, served as an expert referee for journals and conferences, and spoken at summits in the United States, Germany, France, the U.K., and China. She was the recipient of the AMS-MAA-SIAM Morgan Prize for Outstanding Research, the highest honor for an undergraduate in mathematics in North America; the AWM Alice T. Schafer Prize for Mathematical Excellence, given annually to an undergraduate woman in the United States; the Maryam Mirzakhani Fellowship; and a Rhodes Scholarship.

Carine You ’22

Carine You, from San Diego, California, graduated from MIT in May 2022 with bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and computer science and in mathematics. Since graduating, You has worked as a predoctoral research assistant with Professor Amy Finkelstein in the MIT Department of Economics, where she has studied the quality of Medicare nursing home care and the targeting of medical screening technologies. This fall, You will embark on a PhD in economic analysis and policy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She wishes to address pressing issues in environmental and health-care markets, with a particular focus on economic efficiency and equity. You previously developed audio signal processing algorithms at Bose, refined mechanistic models to inform respiratory monitoring at the MIT Research Laboratory of Electronics, and analyzed corruption in developmental projects in India at the World Bank. Through Middle East Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow, she taught computer science to Israeli and Palestinian students in Jerusalem and spearheaded an online pilot expansion for the organization. At MIT, she was named a Burchard Scholar.

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In Memoriam: William Noel, the John T. Maltsberger III '55 Associate University Librarian for Special Collections

William (Will) Noel, the John T. Maltsberger III '55 Associate University Librarian for Special Collections at Princeton University Library (PUL), passed away on April 29, following a tragic accident in Edinburgh, Scotland earlier in the month. Will helped shape the field of early book history and brought the subject of medieval manuscripts to hundreds of thousands of people. His immense impact on the world of special collections grew with each day’s energetic work. A visionary leader and scholar, and champion for open access, Will's influence on his colleagues and on Princeton's special and distinctive collections will continue to shape the way scholars and the public interact with Princeton's treasures for generations. 

Will Noel. Photo credit: Brandon Johnson

Born in the UK, Will received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in art history from Cambridge University. His dissertation, “The Making of BL. Harley Mss. 2506 and 603,” examined scriptorium practice and illustrated textual transmission in the Middle Ages. He then spent three years as a British Academy Postdoctoral Research Fellow before he moved to the United States to take up the post of Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books at Baltimore’s Walters Art Museum. He held a number of posts at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries, including Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Partnerships, Director of their Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books, and Manuscripts, and Founding Director of the Schoenberg Institute for Manuscript Studies. 

Will designed and led a major project to retrieve overwritten texts in the Archimedes Palimpsest that led to groundbreaking scientific research across numerous fields in both the humanities and sciences. This project culminated in Will delivering a TED talk in 2012 “Revealing the lost codex of Archimedes,” which has been viewed by over a million people.  Many of the protocols and methods developed during this project continue to advance research in the retrieval of overwritten texts. Will was also recognized as a White House Open Science Champion of Change by the Obama Administration in 2013. He was chair of the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL) from 2018-2022. His expertise was also recognized when he was invited to give the Sandars Lectures in Bibliography at Cambridge University Library in 2019, which he gave on the topic of “The Medieval Manuscript and Its Digital Image.”

Photo credit: Brandon Johnson

Will joined Princeton in March 2020 and his commitment to the reshaping of Special Collections was transformational. Ever present at library gatherings, public programs, and online events, Will led from within. As the infectiously welcoming host of the biweekly MARBAS (Manuscript, Rare Book and Archive Studies) talks, dazzling co-instructor of the Rare Book School’s course on ‘Fifteenth-Century Books in Print & Manuscript,’ or developing a close relationship with the Friends of PUL and acting as shepherd of the Student Friends of PUL, he offered himself entirely and selflessly, providing others with the necessary tools and voice to make their own impact. With Will, despite all of his administrative responsibilities, no time was a bad time to teach someone more about medieval manuscripts, contemporary archives, or new ways to make digital resources accessible. While his energy, warmth, and generosity will be profoundly missed, we take some comfort in the fact that he instilled the same spirit in many of his colleagues.

Ever a champion for innovative ideas and approaches that leveraged technology to transform access to medieval culture for the academy and beyond, Will partnered with colleagues across the library to advance digital access and approaches to special collections, leading to the digitization of approximately 1,700 codices from the Islamic world as well as numerous other digital projects. In particular, he increased the visibility and accessibility of the library’s collections through its digital library platform (DPUL) and championed the development of sustainable approaches to ensuring that the diversity within our collections continues to be celebrated and shared widely and openly. Will also advocated for new ways to engage digitally with collections, leading the Library’s expansion into multispectral and other advanced imaging techniques.

Will successfully defined and championed major acquisitions that also reflected his strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These included a Hebrew-Arabic dictionary (11th century), one of only four existing manuscripts of this important text by Ali ben Israel; African American History in Newspapers – a uniquely comprehensive collection of 300+ full issues covering essential historical events from the 17th to the 21st century; a complete run of the National Era (1851-52), featuring the entire serialized text of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin; the Theodotu Collection of Byzantine coins; ‘The Four Kings,’ 17th-century engravings portraying four Native American leaders; and an ink drawing by Jacob Lawrence for Westchester Graduation Ball program, 1951.

Photo credit: Shelley Szwast

As Head of Exhibitions at PUL, Will played a central role in shaping the programming and development of exhibitions for the Milberg Gallery. Utilizing his subject expertise, stewardship, and diplomatic approach he shaped and led the production of highly successful exhibitions including “Toni Morrison: Sites of Memory,” “In the Company of Good Books: Shakespeare to Morrison,” and “Records of Resistance: Documenting Global Activism 1933 to 2021.” Furthering his dedication to democratize access to information, these exhibitions were designed to not only display treasures but to serve as opportunities to teach with collections, which he did with great enthusiasm, and promote access to a wider audience.

Will made such an incredible impact on those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him. Even with his many talents and accomplishments, Will carried himself lightly and was quick to laugh and see the humor in situations. He was a joyous and caring person whose boundless curiosity and kindness made all of us better people for having had him in our lives. The impact of his vision, energy, and leadership for Special Collections at Princeton and beyond will be felt for years to come. 

Will was very proud of his family, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to Lynn Ransom and Henry Noel, his wife and son, and to his brother Robert Noel, his sister Emma Kennerley, and other members of his extended family. 

Written by: Anne Jarvis, Dean of Libraries and Robert H. Taylor 1930 University Librarian Jon Stroop, Deputy Dean of Libraries Wind Cowles, Associate Dean for Data, Research, and Teaching Eric White, Scheide Librarian and Assistant University Librarian for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Published May 8, 2024.

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