03/13/2009
Krista Merry, a senior speech pathology and audiology major from Homer, N.Y., has won the top honor in SUNY Cortland's annual writing contest for the second year. Merry is one of five undergraduate and three graduate students who will receive $100 in the College Writing Contest for each of their winning entries. She was recognized for her short story, "Flower of the Field," written for a Writing Fiction course taught by Mario Hernandez, lecturer of English.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the contest that is sponsored by the College Writing Committee, a group of 13 faculty members from a range of departments across campus.
The committee received 160 submissions of creative and academic work for the competition. The work was judged on superior thinking, originality and insight and excellent command of language. All submissions written for courses during spring, summer and fall of 2008 were eligible.
Merry will receive her award at the College's Honors Convocation on Saturday, April 18. All winning entries will be published in a booklet dedicated to the college writing awards and posted online at www.cortland.edu/cowrc. The students also will present their work on Scholars' Day, an annual forum for faculty and student research, on Friday, April 17.
The other undergraduate award recipients are:
Jennifer Ondrako of Whitney Point, N.Y., a senior inclusive special education major, for her creative non-fiction work, "Snapshot: Quick Like a Bunny," for the Principals of Inclusive Education class taught by David Smukler, assistant professor of foundations and social advocacy.
Joseph Tutko of Kirkwood, N.Y., a senior English major, for his poem, "Dust Mite and On Anosmia," for a Writing Poetry class taught by Hernandez.
Carmit Schatz of Ithaca, N.Y., a senior biology major, for a research article, "Dating the Origin of the Split Between Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes," for an independent study course taught by Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences Timothy Baroni.
Kimberly Swan of Scarsdale, N.Y., a senior speech and hearing science major, for her academic piece, "Needle Exchange Programs: Making a Risky Behavior Safer," for the HIV Epidemic course taught by Associate Professor of Health Sarah Beshers.
The graduate award recipients are:
Erica Brazee of Sidney, N.Y., a graduate student in the adolescence education English program, for her non-fiction story, "A Complicated Decision," written for Rhetoric and Analysis taught by SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of English Mary Lynch Kennedy.
Joyce Hansen of Minoa, N.Y., a graduate student in the adolescence education English program, for her short story, "Chasing Satan," written for the Literature for Adolescence course taught by Karen Stearns, assistant professor of English.
Karen Randle of Trumansburg, N.Y., a graduate student in the childhood education program, for her academic paper, "Visual Arts: Effective Means to Enhance Creative Writing Quality," written for the Elementary School Practicum and Research Seminar taught by Susan Stratton, assistant professor of childhood and early childhood education.
The 2009 contest will accept papers written for courses offered during spring, summer and fall 2009. For more information, contact Kennedy at (607) 753-2086.