Editorial Introduction to the Fall/Winter Issue of Sociation Today

Following a record number of submissions to the North Carolina Sociological Society's call for papers for the Himes Awards, it became obvious that there was much quality work being done by future sociologists. Professor Lippard comments: As the special focus editor, I am proud to present you this volume on student writing. Traditionally, the North Carolina Sociological Association has emphasized and championed student research and writing as a pivotal part of the future of sociology. Much of this emphasis has focused on paper competitions through the Himes Paper Awards but at the 2012 NCSA meetings, members agreed to further this emphasis by setting aside a special issue of Sociation Today to showcase student writing. In this volume, you will find student authors who have a growing command of the skills necessary to be great researchers and writers. Several pieces present new spins on how to analyze traditional topics that include race, gender, sexuality, and gerontology. Many of these pieces were completed by undergraduate students and they came from a variety of institutions across the South. Overall, these students should be commended for their work and being fine examples of what 21st century Sociology has to offer to the world. In addition, the introduction discusses acceptance rate for the journal and presentes a case-example of how our information spreads out from sociology to the mass media.