TSEM Award Nominations Now Open!
What is the award?
Albert S. Cook Library’s TSEM Information Literacy Award recognizes emerging research and scholarship in Towson Seminar courses.
One outstanding research project will be chosen per semester. Winners will receive recognition at an annual award ceremony, an individual certificate, a $500 award, and a nameplate on the commemorative plaque kept at Albert S. Cook Library. The winning entries will also be placed in an institutional repository to be shared with students, faculty, and staff at Towson University.
Who can apply?
Individual students may submit original research projects that were completed for their Towson Seminar.
Instructors may also nominate one outstanding project from each section of their Towson Seminar per semester. If an instructor has multiple TSEM 102 or TSEM 190 sections, only one project from each section may be nominated.
Eligible applicants must:
- Have completed their research project for their TSEM 102 course during the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026 semester.
- Submit all the required application materials by Friday, August 28, 2026.
- Agree to have their research project placed in ScholarWorks@Towson, an institutional repository.
What do I need to submit?
You must submit the following in order to be considered for the award:
1. Research Project
A final version of your research project. Projects can be in any format, including (but not limited to):
- Research Papers
- Websites
- Films or videos
- Podcasts
- Posters
Research projects must include a bibliography or list of sources to be eligible for the award.
2. Reflective Statement
Student Submission
Students will provide a 50 to 100 word statement that describes the library’s role in your research process. Your statement should answer the following question:
What role did the library’s resources and services play in your research process? Library resources and services might include:
- Library staff
- Databases
- Collections
- Course guides
- Library building (study areas, cubicles, etc.)
- Technology (computers, printers, etc.)
- Other academic support (e.g. Writing Center)
Instructor Nomination
Instructors will provide a statement of support that explains why you are nominating the student’s project.
3. Assignment Description
Please provide a brief description of the assignment and its requirements.
4. How Will The Winner Be Selected?
An award-winning research project will demonstrate the applicant’s ability to:
- identify, locate, evaluate, and synthesize information;
- integrate a variety of source types and perspectives;
- effectively analyze and interpret sources;
- consult library resources and services throughout their research process;
- use citations to give credit to the original ideas of others.
How do I submit my application?
You can submit your application by completing the Albert S. Cook Library's TSEM Information Literacy Award Application Form by Friday, August 28, 2026
Please e-mail tsemilaward@towson.edu with any questions you may have.
To see past award winners, visit the Towson Seminar Information Literacy Award Collection in our Institutional Repository, ScholarWorks@Towson.