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Spotlight on Scholarship - October 26, 2023

Watch Live Stream

This year's event will be hosted in the Budig Theater in University Center beginning at 8:45 a.m on October 26, 2023.

More than 15 professors competed for the 2022 SOL Award, named after Sol, the goddess of the sun in Norse mythology.  The 2022 SOL Award Winner was Justin Yates with the Sol Award for his presentation "Effects of Adolescent Methylphenidate (Ritalin®) Administration on Methamphetamine Relapse During Adulthood in Rats"

View previous presentations

SOL Award Rubric

Sol Awards presentation in Griffin Hall

Sol Awards

SOL:  The Norse Goddess of Enlightenment

(Pronounced “Soul”)

Sol is the Norse goddess of enlightenment, she is the sun, and she is rebirth, wisdom, creation and enlightenment.  It is believed that Sol was adapted by the Norse from other pagan religions throughout northern Germany and Scandinavia.   It is not surprising that after long northern winters, the coming of light is a sign of spring, new beginnings, rebirth and renewed energy.  It is fitting that this deity be a woman; key to creation.

This is why we named the NKU award for outstanding research, creativity and scholarship after this Norse deity; she embodies the spirit of a new and better tomorrow.  The spirit of creativity and the search for knowledge is a constant force at NKU, like the sun it is ever present, ever burning, ever renewing, with inexhaustible energy.  Irresistible strength, focused on the pursuit of the discovery and creativity; that is who she is and that is who we are.

Previous Programs

2022 Program

2021 Program

2019 Program

2018 Program

2022 SOL Award Winner

Justin Yates accepting SOL award.

Justin Yates - Assistant Professor, Psychological Science
"Effects of Adolescent Methylphenidate (Ritalin®) Administration on Methamphetamine Relapse During Adulthood in Rats"