2022 Writing Award Winners

WCSU/AWP Intro Awards: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction

Poetry: Danielle Nielsen, Shardai Pryce, Michelle Rochniak 

Fiction: Nicholas Quinones 

Creative Nonfiction: Bill Henry 

Winners of the WCSU awards (selected in open competition) advance to compete for the national-level writing awards from the Association of Writers & Writing Programs. 

Barbara Winder Award in Creative Writing

Nicholas Quinones 

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. 

Elizabeth Roche Award for Excellence by an Emerging Writer

Madison Guerrera 

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. 

Ellen Ahern-Lunn Award for Excellence in Creative Nonfiction 

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. 

Excellence in Writing for Stage, Screen, and Multimedia Award 

Mikolo Schlanger 

This award is given to a student who has exhibited excellence in writing for stage, screen, or multimedia platforms. 

Jim Scrimgeour Award for Excellence in Poetry 

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. 

John Briggs Award for Editorial Excellence

Sam Cross 

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. 

Louise Kolb Award for Outstanding Service to the Writing Center 

Benjamin Meleschnig

This award is given by the Coordinator of the WCSU Writing Center to a student who has served the Writing Center with distinction. 

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. 

Distinction in Writing for Senior Portfolio 

Spring 2021

Kyra Alvarez

Brianna Bencosme 

Rubin Caco  

Anthony Colombero  

Griffin Downs 

Jack Fico  

Jeff Hess  

Jonathan Holden

Audrey Redpath

William Rodrigues

Alexis Tomasto  

Fall 2021

Amanda Badillo 

Destiny Barnum

Sophia Caselnova 

Sophia Foss  

Jessica Joseph  

Mikayla Silkman  

Distinguished Thesis recognition for excellent MFA Thesis projects

Michaela Lawlor, Fall 2021 

 

SCHOLARSHIPS 

Patrick Ryan Scholarship for Literary Citizenship

Michelle Rochniak 

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. 

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 WCSU. 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] 

Ruth M. Dawson Endowed Scholarship 

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] 

 

2021 Writing Award Winners

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