Ryan McNulty, a new graduate of the University of Delaware’s Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) program, has been awarded the Raymond A. Callahan Prize in recognition of his academic accomplishments.

McNulty’s capstone project, “Food and Us: A Social Studies Curriculum,” provides a framework for middle school social studies students to explore the relationship between food and people from historical, cultural, health, environmental and social perspectives. The curriculum aims to get students involved in their communities by the creation of a community garden.

McNulty is a seventh-grade social studies teacher in the Milford School District. His adviser for his project was Tom Powers, associate professor of philosophy and public policy and administration and the director of the Center for Science, Ethics and Public Policy.

The Raymond A. Callahan Prize is presented to honor a graduating MALS student who, in the opinion of the program faculty, best exemplifies the personal and academic attributes inspired by Callahan and that the program seeks to instill in its students. It especially recognizes the excellence of the recipient’s thesis or final project.

Callahan, now professor emeritus of history, taught at UD for 38 years and served as the first director of the MALS program and as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He held the John F. Morrison Chair of Military History at the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College and is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

More about MALS

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary graduate program in which students can shape their curriculum to fit their intellectual interests and to follow their passions.

Courses are taught by faculty from across the College of Arts and Sciences and break down traditional departmental boundaries to explore important questions through a variety of perspectives.

More information about the program is available at the website.