Folklore Studies alumna Kim Stryker has been named the 2017 Distinguished Alumna of the MA program in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS). Each year, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences recognizes a distinguished alumnus from each of its academic departments. Recipients of this award are selected based on professional accomplishments in their field; service and contributions to their department, college, and university; philanthropic activities; and enhancement of alumni and community engagement at Mason.
Since graduating from our program in 2014, Kim has established an impressive track record of public folklore research, advocacy, and community engagement. Her work in these areas was recently recognized with a major national award, the Archie Green Fellowship, from the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress. She is a dedicated participant in and advocate for initiatives that communicate folklore research and practice to broader publics, as demonstrated by her longstanding involvement with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and more recently with the National Folk Festival in Greensboro, NC. Meanwhile, she continues to be an outstanding ambassador for Folklore Studies at Mason, regularly teaching a section of our introductory course on Folklore and Folklife (ENGH 315) and organizing guest presentations and film screenings by visiting folklorists.
Kim was presented with her award at the recent CHSS Distinguished Alumni Awards reception held on the Fairfax campus during Alumni Weekend 2017.
October 23, 2017
