UK Phi Kappa Phi Student Excels in Many Ways
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 7, 2011) — It seems that the busier Letcher County native Amanda Fickey gets, the more she thrives.
Fickey, who is a candidate for her doctorate in the Department of Geography, housed within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky, recently was awarded a Dissertation Enhancement Award from the Graduate School at UK.
The award, valued at $3,000, will help the 2000 graduate of Letcher High School as she strives toward the finish line of earning her Ph.D.
In addition, Amanda, who serves as student vice president of the UK Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, a prestigious honor society, last month received her second research grant from the Kentucky Oral History Commission (KOHC), this time for $2,500. Fickey's research interests include alternative economic practices and regional economic development.
And, next month, she will receive the Carl A. Ross Graduate and Undergraduate Student Paper Award at the 2011 Appalachian Studies Association Conference at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond (March 11-13). Fickey earned the honor for her paper, "Rendering Regional Development Technical: An Examination of "Appalachia: A Report by the President's Appalachian Regional Commission, 1964."
Fickey also serves as an instructor in UK's renowned geography department, widely acknowledged as one of the top 20 places in the country to pursue a master's or doctoral degree in the discipline.
In 2010, Fickey was the recipient of the Women in Geography Education Award from the National Council of Geographic Education (NCGE) at the organization's annual conference in Savannah, Ga.
"I am very grateful to the faculty members and others who have been such a great help to me here at UK," said Fickey. "The chance to be mentored by some of the top researchers and teachers at this university continues to open up opportunities for growth and discovery."
Fickey, who also has participated in an international study project in Scotland, serves as a strategic planning committee member for the UK Appalachian Center and as a steering committee member for the UK Appalachian Research Community.
Among Amanda's career goals is to earn a faculty position in geography at a major, research-oriented institution.
"Above all, I seek, throughout my life, to contribute in novel and significant ways to socially relevant scholarship and to continue working in and for the region of Appalachia," said Fickey.
Fickey is the daughter of Jim Stamper and Mona Fickey Stamper of Red Star. Amanda's younger sister, Alex, attends Letcher County Central High School.
CONTACT: Carl Nathe, (859) 257-1754, ext. 238; carl.nathe@uky.edu.