KINGSTON, R.I. – April 18, 2025 – Seven students – in disciplines from English to computer science and marine affairs to anthropology – were named the recipients of the 2024-2025 University of Rhode Island Writing Award.

The award, started six years ago, highlights student writing across disciplines, recognizing the best writing produced by undergraduate and graduate students in each of four categories – advocacy, creative, scholarly/research, and, new this year, informing the public.

There were more than 170 submissions for this year’s awards. The seven recipients each earn a $1,000 cash award and will be honored at an awards ceremony on May 1. Congratulations to the winners:

Advocacy

Undergraduate award: Lydia Nicolau ’26, who is majoring in professional and public writing and computer science, for “Unity Over Differences.”

Creative

Graduate award: Nina King Sannes ’30, a Ph.D. student in English, for “Property Rights.”

Undergraduate award: Maeve Van Couyghen ’27, majoring in creative writing and professional and public writing, for “New World Vultures.”

Informing the Public

Undergraduate award: Kalliana Marek ’26, majoring in sustainable agriculture and food systems and marine affairs, for “At Odds Over Offshore Wind.”

Undergraduate award: Lauren Peckham ’25, majoring in criminology/criminal justice, psychology, and political science, for “Merton’s General Strain Theory & The Oklahoma City Bombings.”

Scholarly/Research

Graduate award: Chemutai Kiplagat ’26, a Ph.D. candidate in English, for “Unsettling the Gaze: Cultural Dialogue in African Women’s Writing.”

Undergraduate award: Caroline McCullough ’26, who is majoring in anthropology, for “Seaweed Sovereignty: Seaweed’s Role in the Irish Potato Famine and Modern Day Irish Culture.”