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Scenes from Writing and Rhetoric

The Writing & Rhetoric Major


Scholarships and Awards

All recipients are determined by faculty and instructors in the Department.


University Excellence Award (formerly Presidential Award)

This honor goes to a graduating senior in each academic major. Selection is based on grade point average, as well as other criteria determined by the individual department. For example, criteria might include rhetorical knowledge, collaboration, craft, textual production, and reflective learning.

Past recipients:
Victoria Tousignant
Jessica Watson
Kate Stone
Jessica Notardonato


Stephanie Bounds Award for Excellence in Writing and Rhetoric

An award for an outstanding senior.

Past recipients:
Apphia Duey
Aaron Womack
Patricia Weisenseel
Samantha Notardonato
Tatiana Uhoch
Marie Andrews
Jeremy Hawkins


Gertrude Spencer Award for Excellence in Written English (also supports English)

Awarded annually to English and Writing majors for demonstration of command of the English language in written fiction or non-fiction.

Past recipients:
Brianna Cihi
Victoria Tousignant
Nick Rutter
Luis Medina
Kate Sone
Julie Silva


Linda K. Shamoon Scholarship in Public Writing

An award for a sophomore or junior Writing major who is committed to public writing/community action and who has a deep understanding of rhetoric as a social good. This student will have demonstrated a willingness to go outside of the classroom and use his or her writing to change actual rules, ordinances, or laws.

Past recipients:
Cristian Izurieta
Sara Gilman



2010 Undergraduate Writing Contest

Writing & Rhetoric is proud to recognize Brianna Cihi, Writing & Rhetoric major (and student worker), for her award in the English Department Writing Contest. Brianna took first place in the Creative Non-Fiction Undergraduate division for her piece entitled "Scratches, Scars, and Cigarette Burns."



Congratulations to our published WRT majors!

  • Ankawha Blain, "Blue Whales Do Not Live in Providence," *The Independent Scribe* Fall 2009 edition
  • Jessica Watson, "Should America Speak American?" *The Independent Scribe *Fall 2009 edition
  • Sarah Payne, "Thoreau's Sublime Wreckage in *Cape Cod*," *The Independent Scribe *Fall 2009 edition
  • Mercer Smith, "Coffee Coffin," "A-Bed at 3AM," and "Chucks," *The Independent Scribe *Fall 2009 edition
  • Raymond Mathieu, "Frozen Foods Section," "So They Say," and "The Steps to Stumblin'," *The Independent Scribe *Fall 2009 edition
  • George C. Whaley, Jr. "Clam Bake" and "A Vicious, Pretty Cycle," *The Independent Scribe *Fall 2009 edition
  • Patricia Wisenseel, "The Bells:"  From a Freestanding Object to a Pulsating Presence," *The Independent Scribe *Fall 2009 edition
  • Kaitlyn Stone, "The Vulgar Way," *Chronogram*, November 2009