UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 7, Page 10
October 14, 1993
Sociology graduate student receives congressional fellowship

     Stacy Palmer was set to begin her second year of graduate study in
sociology this fall. In mid-August, the Huntingtown, Md., resident was
informed she was one of only six students from a national applicant pool of
more than 200 selected to receive a Congressional Black Caucus Fellowship.
     Palmer will spend most of her time in Washington, D.C., this year,
working as a staff assistant with District of Columbia Congressperson
Eleanor Holmes Norton.
     While stopping in Newark in early September, Palmer was excited about
the opportunity and the valuable experience she would gain. She said the
fellowship will complement her studies, which focus on how society deals
with issues related to individuals of different races, classes and genders
and how the three interact to determine an individual's placement in the
social structure.
     Palmer's first exposure to the University occurred in the summer of
1991, when she was a participant in the Minority Opportunities Summer
Training (MOST) program. At that time, she met Carole Marks, associate
professor in the Black American Studies Program and the Department of
Sociology, and Margaret Andersen, University vice provost, both of whom
were associated with the MOST program. The two women are now her graduate
study advisers, and both encouraged Palmer to apply for the congressional
fellowship.
     Palmer said she will continue her University graduate work by doing
thesis research and independent study while working in Congress. She said
her two advisers were excited about her selection as a fellow and
encouraged her to take the position.
     "I wasn't really sure if I needed to stay here and finish the degree.
They encouraged me to take the congressional opportunity. They've been
really supportive in terms of helping me do the research I want to do."
     Palmer, who will be able to live at home during the fellowship, said,
"I'm really interested in finding out how African Americans are represented
in our government. Working with Congressperson Norton will give me an
opportunity to look at this from an interesting perspective."
                                        -Ed Okonowicz