Each year, the Department of Writing is fortunate to nominate and/or award top students deserving of recognition for their work both inside the classroom and with extracurricular endeavors. The awards are presented to recipients during the Department of Writing's Senior Celebration Ceremony held each year on the last Friday in April.

The Writing Department’s Outstanding Student Award goes to a graduating major who has demonstrated outstanding skills and potential as a writer, who has shown excellent engagement in all their writing classes, and who has participated in the extracurricular writing community. The Outstanding Student should have a GPA in the major of at least 3.7 and an overall GPA of at least 3.25.

2021: Amanda Pszczolkowski
            Hannah Kelly

2020: Annie Cunningham

2019: Emily Zerrenner

2018: Annie Livingston

2017: Sarah Smith

2016: Jackie Vega

2015: Rose White

2014: Nikki Fisher

2013: Matthew Russell

2012: Megan Smith

2011: Allison Oosta

2010: Carrie Smith

2009: Katie Booms

2008: Lindsey Drager

2007: Breanne LeJeune

2006: Jacob Powers

2005: T. Fleischmann

2004: Amber Eby

2003: Joshua Courtade

2002: Jodi Deur/Jill Haller

The University-wide Venderbush Award recognizes one senior who has demonstrated an exceptional blend of academic achievement and leadership efficacy while making significant contributions to the campus community.

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2021: Hannah Kelly

2020: Oliva Baker

2019: Maria McKee

2018: Kathryn Davis

2017: Sarah Cauzillo

2016: Marcee Wardell

2015: Ariel Mokdad

2014: Amy Hinman

2013: Sara Warren

2012: Lynn Dimick

2011: ***

2010: Janelle Wing

2009: ***

2008: Meahgan Pear

2007: Margaret Porter

2006: Morgan Sherburne

2005: ***

2004: Michelle LaPointe

2003: Katherine VanLoo

Students selected for the Niemeyer Awards are well-rounded individuals with demonstrated excellence in both the classroom and extra-curricular activities. Recipients excel in the classroom and demonstrate a joy of learning as part of a community of scholars. Along with intellectual achievements, recipients participate in activities outside the classroom that serve to enrich their lives and the lives of others. 

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2021: Dawson Heath

2020: Brooke Fugate

2019: Emily Zerrenner

2018: Daniel Goubert

2017: Anna Bouwkamp

2016: Paige Dhyne

2015: Grayson DeYoung

2014: Marie Orttenburger

2013: Jessie Miller

2012: Krista Pepelko

2011: Allison Oosta

2010: Susan Creager

2009: Katie Booms

2008: David LeGault

2007: ***

2006: Megan Ward

2005: ***

2004: Leah Omilion

The Internship Award recognizes students for achieving outstanding success in an internship by demonstrating a commitment to learning and professional development in the successful completion of a Writing internship experience.

2021: Hannah Terry

2020: ***

2019: Rachel Kornoelje

2018: Emily Zerrenner

2017: Danielle Clark

2016: Jennifer Polasek

2015: Alyssa Adamovich

2014: Ariel Mokdad

2013: Jessie Miller
             Erin Quackenbush

2012: Devin Beck

2011: Madeleine Hart
            Brittney Schering
            Kiera Wilson

2010: Elizabeth Uhl