Awards & Recognition

2016

American Heritage Center Student Research Award
Art-Science Integration Specialist for University of Wyoming Art Museum’s Summer Teaching Institute; 1 of 3 faculty
Biodiversity Institute Art Grant
Center for Global Studies Nielson Family international research grant
Co-editor, UW English 1010 textbook/teaching curriculum; 1 of 3 editorial committee members
College of Arts & Sciences International Studies Grant
Creative writing residency at the AMK Ranch, University of Wyoming/National Park Service research center
Invited keynote panel & workshop, Wyoming chapter of The Wildlife Society annual conference
Invited lecture: “Drawn to Science: Exploring Historical and Contemporary Synergies between Art, Creativity, and Science,” UW Zoology/Physiology
Invited workshop: “Drawn to Biodiversity”; University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute
Invited workshop: “Drawn to Science: Using Analog Technology (art!) to Teach and Learn Science”; UW Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning
MFA in Creative Writing Program (2015-2017); one of ten admitted applicants (out of >300); UW
Renaissance Weekend invitation
“Promoting Intellectual Engagement in the First Year” teaching award; blind nomination by students; 170+ nominees, 26 awardees; UW

2015-2016

UW Art Museum’s Art-Science Symposium/Initiative planning committee; only student on committee comprised of faculty/staff from numerous UW departments (2015-2017)
College of Arts and Sciences International Studies Grant; UW
Creative Writing Program research travel grant; UW
Creative Writing Program project grant; UW
Elected Secretary of the Ecological Society of America’s Science Communication Section
Invited workshop: “Drawn to Biodiversity”; University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute

Outstanding Photojournalist of the Year (2012)
2nd place for Best Sports Photo (2012) of rider being bucked off a bull during a rodeo (view photo in article)

3rd place for Best News Photo (2012) for photo of major cycling race. Judge said, “The vibrancy of this photograph is gripping. Yes, the photographer should be credited with pulling out the stops to get this wonderfully aligned pack of cyclists. But the real joy of this photo lies in the endless colour bursts within arrested action, laid out against that luscious green backdrop.” (view photo in article)

Featured photograph on QCN A homepage (2013) of massive military band concert (view photo )

Best feature page (2014) photo essay of historic newspaper office building (view photo essay; read about the 250th anniversary of North America’s oldest newspaper on my old blog)

Short-listed (awards to be announced June 2016) for Best Environmental Reporting (2015) for “An eel is an eel is an eel, or is it?”; reporting on research on St. Lawrence River eel genome.

National journalism award, Newspapers Canada/Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation (2014); announcement; award ceremony article; award-winning article

1st place for Best Business Column or Feature (2013) for articles about Bordeaux Wine Producers; Judge remarked that “winemaking is both an art and a science, and [Merkle] provides an in-depth look…”

2nd place for Best Investigative or In-depth Reporting (2013) for series about conserving Quebec’s caribou. Judge particularly impressed by how the series “not only looked at scientific study but also painted a picture of the researchers behind the science.”

2nd place for Best Sports Story (2012) on burgeoning local roller derby scene. Judge said, “Bethann G. Merkle does an excellent job looking at the revitalized sport of women’s roller derby. By focusing on athlete Stephanie Ewen, she gives some insight into what the athletes go through in the sport with training and competition, as well as taking a brave and accurate step in touching on the social issues of an anglophone fitting in within a team environment in Quebec City.” (view article)

1st place – Best Special Section (2014) for the 250th anniversary special edition magazine I edited/coordinated for the Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph, North America’s oldest newspaper.
1st place – Best Community Newspaper Promotion (2014) for year-long 250th anniversary campaign I coordinated for the Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph, North America’s oldest newspaper.
2nd place for Best Community Newspaper Promotion (2013) for Great Shoreline Cleanup
3rd place for Best Special Section (2013) for special School Edition
2nd place for Best Community Newspaper Promotion (2012) for mystery photo challenge