The Luminaries: Tales of My Grandfather (Volume 1 of the Luminaries saga, which is currently in progress online) was given the Outstanding Thesis Award by the University of Central Arkansas, Honors College. The Outstanding Thesis Awards are a high honor, reflecting a unique presentation and workmanship in the projects selected. As the Honors College prides itself on small, carefully chosen classes, then takes only a few Outstanding Thesis winners from that small body, the award is very difficult to come by.
Candidates for the award were nominated by mentors of the 77 different student thesis projects submitted by the Honors College graduating class. These candidates were then reviewed by a top faculty board, inspecting their interdisciplinary nature, the quality of the scholarship, and the originality of the work.
The Honors College at UCA is a special department of the university, providing a unique minor and education system to selected students. It has drawn praise from prominent figures and associations such as former Secretary of Education, Terrel Bell and the Carnegie Foundation, cited as being "one of the most widely imitated programs in the country".
The Outstanding Thesis Award-winning Volume 1 of The Luminaries and future volumes can be found online at http://www.projectluminary.com
