The School of Social Sciences has recently named John Lee, business economics, as the winner of the Order of Merit Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis award for his paper entitled “The Effects of Oklahoma Deposit Insurance during the Early Twentieth Century."

His research examined the deposit insurance system in Oklahoma from 1910 to 1921, which was adopted in order to promote financial stability. However, Lee’s research finds that the system instead increased the likelihood of bank failure.

Lee was recognized at the Order of Merit awards ceremony in June, alongside his fellow social sciences undergraduate students who demonstrated a commitment to academic distinction, leadership and service to the school, campus and community.