DELAWARE, Ohio – Two ³Ô¹ÏÍø students have earned competitive Baran Fellowships to fund projects designed to make them stronger candidates for graduate school admission and post-graduate fellowships.
The newest recipients of the university-awarded Baran Fellowships are senior Ronan Thompson of Columbus, Ohio, and sophomore Addison Demaline of Toledo, Ohio.
Thompson, a double major in Ancient Studies and English (Literature concentration), will use the Baran Fellowship to fund a senior honors research project exploring the history of Moravian mission villages formed with Lenape communities in late 18th-century Ohio.
Thompson's research will focus on "the lasting impacts of missionary work and ideology on America's indigenous communities" and include trips to the former Ohio mission villages of Schoenbrunn, Gnadenhutten, and Salem.
At these sites, Thompson will document the landscape to produce both a research paper and short videos to help share their history.
"Research into the indigenous communities in the Great Lakes region is sadly sparse in comparison to other areas," Thompson said. "My research will contribute to this emerging scholarship."
After graduating in December 2025, Thompson plans to attend graduate school to pursue an advanced degree in Museum Studies and Curation.
Demaline, a double major in French and Psychology with a minor in , will use the Baran Fellowship to support studying abroad in Grenoble, France, during the fall 2025 semester.
"The experience of studying abroad will provide me with a new understanding of global perspectives and cultural dynamics that will prepare me to navigate complex societal challenges," Demaline said.
Long term, Demaline hopes to research the intersection of societal power and social behaviors within the French context.
"France's emphasis on community-based health policies is one unique lens that could be used for comparative research, allowing me to engage in cross-cultural academic collaboration," Demaline said. "This will provide me the opportunity to address pressing global challenges and expand both my academic and professional horizons."
After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan, Demaline plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Comparative Human Development.
Ohio Wesleyan's were created in 2013 with a gift from graduate Jan W. Baran, Class of 1970, and his wife, Kathryn K. Baran, in recognition of the strong mentorship he received as an OWU student.
To be eligible for the fellowships, students must be in the university Honors Program or have an excellent academic record (usually a grade-point average of 3.7 or higher) with a high probability of success in a post-graduate fellowship competition. Recipients are able to use the funding to support travel-learning opportunities or individualized research or study connecting theory to practice.
Learn more about Ohio Wesleyan's Baran Fellowships at and more about the university's Leland F. and Helen Schubert Honors Program at .
Founded in 1842, ³Ô¹ÏÍø is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 and competes in 24 NCAA Division III . Through its signature experience, the , Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at or learn more at .