June 10, 2021

SVSU celebrates writing excellence

The University Writing Program at SVSU celebrated the writing achievements of student writers with 2021 University Writing awards. 

“On behalf of the University Writing Committee, I am thrilled to recognize the achievements of the 2021 University Writing Awards winners,” said Scott Kowalewski, SVSU associate professor of rhetoric and professional writing and Writing Program administrator. “Despite the challenges this academic year posed, these student writers demonstrated a commitment to writing excellence.”  

Diane Boehm Writing Awards for e-Portfolios are presented annually to outstanding e-portfolios to recognize the creative and effective integration of writing and multimedia. Diane Boehm, director emerita of the SVSU Writing Center, established and funds the award.  

This year’s winners of the Diane Boehm Writing Awards for e-Portfolios are:  

• Classroom Portfolio award, Undergraduate Level ― Emily Schuette, a Bay City native and recent graphic design graduate  
• Workplace Portfolio award, Undergraduate Level ― Elizabeth Kennedy, of Maybee, Mich., a recent graduate with a bachelor’s in rhetoric and professional writing   
• Workplace Portfolio award, Graduate Level ― Hilarie Huschke, Midland, who is pursuing a master’s in technology learning systems and design  
   
  The Ruth and Ted Braun Awards for Writing Excellence at Saginaw Valley State University were established through a gift from Hugo E. “Ted” and Ruth Braun to create incentives for outstanding student writing and opportunities for student writers to be recognized and published.   
  
  Five students won Ruth and Ted Braun Awards for Writing Excellence:  

• Graduate winner ― Spencer Morris, of Flint, a recent graduate with a master’s in occupational therapy  
• College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences, Arts & Humanities Category ― Eliza Kriz, a rhetoric and professional writing major from Ludington 
• College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Sciences Category ― Holly Houck, an international studies major from Saginaw  
• College of Health and Human Services, Health Sciences, Kinesiology, and Occupational Therapy Category ― Brittany Ahlgrim, a health science major from Warren   
• General Education Category ― Uriah Cervantes, a history major from Bay City  

Gabrielle Bourgeois, a creative writing major from Alpena, won the Seitz Creative Writing Scholarship, which is awarded to juniors or seniors with a major or minor in creative writing. The scholarship was established and is supported through gifts from Jim and Melissa Seitz.   

The Robert S.P. Yien First Year Writing Awards showcase outstanding work by first year composition students in ENGL 080 and 111. Papers are judged by a committee comprised of the First Year Writing Coordinator and selected SVSU English Department faculty. This year’s winners are:  

First place ― Xander Barrat, a pre-accounting major from Muskegon  

Second place ― Madelyn Harris of Manchester, Mich., a pre-management major   

Third place ― Ledonna Husband, a pre-occupational therapy major from Bay City  

Fourth place ― Brendan Horning, a finance major from Fenton  

Fifth place ― Max Kershen, a pre-med major from Bay City  

The University Writing Program at SVSU provides students with the resources to develop their writing and critical thinking skills, supports faculty engagement in best practices in the teaching of writing, and encourages all members of the university community to value writing by coordinating various activities and programs across campus. This year, the awards program was held in a podcast format.