Writing Award Winners
2022 Writing Award Winners
³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ/AWP Intro Awards: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Poetry: Danielle Nielsen, Shardai Pryce, Michelle RochniakÌý
Fiction: Nicholas QuinonesÌý
Creative Nonfiction: Bill HenryÌý
Winners of the ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ awards (selected in open competition) advance to compete for the national-level writing awards from the Association of Writers & Writing Programs.Ìý
Barbara Winder Award in Creative Writing
Nicholas QuinonesÌý
This award was established to honor Professor Barbara Winder, long-time teacher of Creative Writing at Western. It is awarded to the student who has submitted the best piece of writing to the Writing Department in the last year. When possible, the award will include a cash prize—typically $50.Ìý
Elizabeth Roche Award for Excellence by an Emerging Writer
Madison GuerreraÌý
This award is given by Prof. John Roche in honor of his late sister and photojournalist Elizabeth Roche to a first- or second-year student who has exhibited special promise as an emerging writer. This award includes a $50 cash prize.Ìý
Ellen Ahern-Lunn Award for Excellence in Creative NonfictionÌý
Clare Pasley
This award is given to a student who has demonstrated mastery of creative nonfiction in at least one excellent work in the genre during the past year.Ìý
Excellence in Writing for Stage, Screen, and Multimedia AwardÌý
Mikolo SchlangerÌý
This award is given to a student who has exhibited excellence in writing for stage, screen, or multimedia platforms.Ìý
Jim Scrimgeour Award for Excellence in PoetryÌý
Isabella Bullock
This award is given to an undergraduate Creative Writing student in honor of Emeritus Professor and poet James R. Scrimgeour. When possible, the award will include a cash prize—typically $50.Ìý
John Briggs Award for Editorial Excellence
Sam CrossÌý
This award is given in honor of Professor Emeritus John Briggs by journalism faculty in the Department of Writing, Linguistics, and Creative Process to a student who has served as an editorial leader in student publications. When possible, the award will include a cash prize.Ìý
Louise Kolb Award for Outstanding Service to the Writing CenterÌý
Benjamin Meleschnig
This award is given by the Coordinator of the ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ Writing Center to a student who has served the Writing Center with distinction.Ìý
Ronald K. Goodridge Award for Outstanding Historically Based and Researched Essay or Short Story
Jasmine Tenesaca
This award was established in honor of Ronald K. Goodridge, a lifetime reader and lover of historical fiction and non-fiction. The award is presented to a junior or senior Writing major with the best historically based and researched essay or short story. The award includes a $100 cash stipend.Ìý
Distinction in Writing for Senior PortfolioÌý
Spring 2021
Kyra Alvarez
Brianna BencosmeÌý
Rubin CacoÌýÌý
Anthony ColomberoÌýÌý
Griffin DownsÌý
Jack FicoÌýÌý
Jeff HessÌýÌý
Jonathan Holden
Audrey Redpath
William Rodrigues
Alexis TomastoÌýÌý
Fall 2021
Amanda BadilloÌý
Destiny Barnum
Sophia CaselnovaÌý
Sophia FossÌýÌý
Jessica JosephÌýÌý
Mikayla SilkmanÌýÌý
Distinguished Thesis recognition for excellent MFA Thesis projects
Michaela Lawlor, Fall 2021Ìý
Ìý
SCHOLARSHIPSÌý
Patrick Ryan Scholarship for Literary Citizenship
Michelle RochniakÌý
This scholarship is given in honor of Dr. Patrick Ryan, former Chair of the Department of Writing, Linguistics, and Creative Process, to a student who has been a leader in building literary community on campus. The scholarship amount is $1,000.Ìý
Robert P. Kelleher Endowed Scholarship
Shardai Pryce, Pleasant Paschael
This scholarship was established with funds received in memory of Robert P. Kelleher, an English and professional writing student at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ. It is awarded to an undergraduate junior or senior student in the professional writing program who is in good academic standing. Scholarship amount is typically $1,000. [This year 2 @ $1500]Ìý
Ruth M. Dawson Endowed ScholarshipÌý
Hayden Pham
This scholarship was created in 2006 by Professor Dennis Dawson in memory of his mother, Ruth M. Dawson. Students must be undergraduate full-time students and have a 3.5 GPA from the Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences. The recipient must also be entering their junior or senior year and have exceptional talent in creative science writing or science journalism. Scholarship amount is typically $1,000. [This year $1250]Ìý
Ìý
2021 Writing Award Winners
AWP Intro Awards: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction:
POETRY: AliciaÌýWasdo, Shardai Pryce, and Ivy Allik; FICTION: Ron Farina; NONFICTION: Ellen O’DonnellÌý
Winners of the ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ awards (selected in open competition) advance to compete for the national-level writing awards from the Association of Writers & Writing Programs.Ìý
Barbara Winder Award in Creative Writing:ÌýÌý
Mikayla SilkmanÌý
This award was established to honor Professor Barbara Winder, long-time teacher of creative Writing at Western. It is awarded to the student who has submitted the best piece of writing to the Writing Department in the last year.ÌýÌý
Elizabeth Roche Award for Excellence by an Emerging Writer:ÌýÌý
JenniferÌýMacancellaÌý
This award is given by Prof. John Roche in honor of his late sister and photojournalist Elizabeth Roche to a first- or second-year student who has exhibited special promise as an emerging writer.Ìý
Ellen Ahern-Lunn Award for Excellence in Creative Nonfiction: Ìý
Sophia FossÌý
This award is given to a student who has demonstrated mastery of creative nonfiction in at least one excellent work in the genre during the past year.Ìý
Excellence in Writing for Stage, Screen, and Multimedia Award:ÌýÌý
Sophia FossÌý
This award is given to a student who has exhibited excellence in writing for stage, screen, or multimedia platforms.Ìý
Jim Scrimgeour Award for Excellence in Poetry:ÌýÌý
Ivy AllikÌý
This award is given to an undergraduate Creative Writing student in honor of Emeritus Professor and poet James R. Scrimgeour.Ìý
John Briggs Award for Editorial Excellence:ÌýÌý
Audrey RedpathÌý
This award is given in honor of Professor Emeritus John Briggs by journalism faculty in the Department of Writing, Linguistics, and Creative Process to a student who has served as an editorial leader in student publications.ÌýÌý
Louise Kolb Award for Outstanding Tutoring Service to the Writing Center:ÌýÌý
Allison Montague, Gina PoulinÌý
This award is given by the Coordinator of the ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ Writing Center to a student who has served the Writing Center with distinction.Ìý
Patrick Ryan Scholarship for Literary Citizenship:ÌýÌý
Sam CrossÌý
This $1,000 scholarship is awarded in honor of Dr. Patrick Ryan, former Chair of the Department of Writing, Linguistics, and Creative Process, to a student who has been a leader in building literary community on campus.Ìý
Ronald K. Goodridge Award for Outstanding Historically Based and Researched Essay or Short Story:ÌýÌý
AlexisÌýTomastoÌý
This award was established in honor of Ronald K. Goodridge, a lifetime reader and lover of historical fiction and non-fiction. The award is presented to a junior or senior Writing major with the best historically based and researched essay or short story.Ìý
Distinction in Writing for Senior Portfolio:ÌýÌý
MAY 2020ÌýÌý
Vincenzo AnastasiaÌýÌý
Kristen CondonÌýÌý
Meredith MarroneÌýÌý
Taylor MurphyÌýÌý
SusanÌýPatnaikÌýÌý
DECEMBER 2020ÌýÌý
Julianne DavisÌýÌý
Ian NeffÌýÌý
Distinguished Thesis recognition for excellent MFA Thesis projects:ÌýÌý
December: Molly ClarkÌý
May: Briana McGuckinÌý
2020 Writing Award Winners
Arnold C. Brackman Memorial Scholarship
Leslie Pizzagalli
AWP Intro Awards: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction:
Briana McGuckin, Fiction
Lisa Peterson, Nonfiction
Murdina Wright, Poetry
Barbara Winder Award in Creative Writing:
Susan Patnaik
Vincenzo Anastazia
Elizabeth Roche Award for Excellence by an Emerging Writer:
Mat Schumer
Excellence in Creative Nonfiction Award:
Amanda Benjamin
Excellence in Writing for Stage, Screen, and Multimedia Award:
Morgan Cairns
Jim Scrimgeour Award for Excellence in Poetry:
Destiny Barnum
John Briggs Award for Editorial Excellence:
Audrey Redpath
Louise Kolb Award for Outstanding Tutoring Service to the Writing Center:
William Silvia
Patrick Ryan Award for Literary Citizenship:
Mikayla Silkman
Ronald K. Goodridge Award for Outstanding Historically Based and Researched Essay or Short Story:
Brianna Bencosme
Distinction in Writing for Senior Portfolio:
Spring 2019: Markus Elken, Krysta Scriven, and Jacob Solomon
Fall 2020: Anthony Tucciarone
Distinguished Thesis recognition for excellent MFA Thesis projects:
Spring 2019: Gina Atanasoff, Suzanne Blair, and Catherine D’Andrea
Fall 2020: Mattea Heller and Lisa Peterson

