Rhetoric and Writing Studies Awards
Each year, the rhetoric and writing studies program recognizes the superior work of its students with the following awards.
Bernadine P. Carlson Prize
The prize honors Professor Emerita Dr. Bernadine P. Carlson, who joined Western Michigan University’s Department of English in 1953. During her thirty-three-year tenure at Western Michigan University, Professor Carlson was influential in the development of the professional writing program and she co-authored the textbook Effective Writing. In 2017, four prize categories were established to better recognize the work of rhetoric and writing studies students.
The Bernadine P. Carlson Outstanding Achievement in Rhetoric and Writing Studies Award is the highest recognition conferred on rhetoric and writing studies students by program faculty. The award is presented to rhetoric and studies majors who exhibit consistent excellence in their studies, make positive contributions to the classroom environment, and demonstrate remarkable accomplishment in their writing.
Recent Award Recipients
2019-20 Recipient
2018-19 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2016-17 Recipient
2016-17 Recipient
The Bernadine P. Carlson Professional Writing Award recognizes a rhetoric and writing studies student who crafts an extraordinarily meaningful text that effectively responds to a real-world context. Texts produced as part of service-learning or client-based project are eligible for this award, as are texts produced in conjunction with a credit-bearing writing-intensive internship.
Recent Award Recipients
2019-20 Recipient
2019-20 Recipient
2018-19 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2016-17 Recipient
The Bernadine P. Carlson Critical Essay Award recognizes a rhetoric and writing studies student who crafts an exemplary essay that astutely engages rhetorical theory or rhetorical criticism in order to establish a deeper understanding of rhetoric’s role in the world. Analytical projects produced in English 4080 or English 3060 are appropriate submissions for this award.
Recent Award Recipients
2019-20 Recipient
2018-19 Recipient
2018-19 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2016-17 Recipient
The Bernadine P. Carlson Emerging Professional Writer Award honors the superior work of a rhetoric and writing studies major or minor in “English 3050: Professional Writing.” Rhetoric and writing studies students who receive this award demonstrate a keen interest in the field of professional writing, hone writing strategies that are effective with readers, and display unmatched promise for future success in the rhetoric and writing studies program.
Recent Award Recipients
2020-21 Recipient
2020-21 Recipient
2020-21 Recipient
2019-20 Recipient
2019-20 Recipient
2019-20 Recipient
2018-19 Recipient
2018-19 Recipient
2018-19 Recipient
2018-19 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2017-18 Recipient
2016-17 Recipient
2016-17 Recipient
2016-17 Recipient
2016-17 Recipient
2016-17 Recipient
From 2010 to 2016, the Bernadine P. Carlson Prize for Professional Writing was awarded to rhetoric and writing studies majors or minors who exhibit professionalism and produce superior written communication.
Prize Recipients
2015-16 Recipient
2015-16 Recipient
2014-15 Recipient
2014-15 Recipient
2013-14 Recipient
2013-14 Recipient
2012-13 Recipient
2012-13 Recipient
2011-12 Recipient
2010-11 Recipient
2010-11 Recipient
2009-10 Recipient
Excellence in Rhetoric and Writing Studies Award
From 2010 to 2016, the Excellence in Rhetoric and Writing Studies Award was presented to students in recognition of their exemplary work ethic and outstanding work in rhetoric and writing studies.
Past Award Recipients
2015-16 Recipient
2015-16 Recipient
2014-15 Recipient
2013-14 Recipient
2013-14 Recipient
2012-13 Recipient
2011-12 Recipient
2010-11 Recipient
Service-Learning Award
Rhetoric and writing studies students often work with and write for community organizations as part of their coursework. These writing partnerships are facilitated by Western Michigan University’s Office of Service-Learning. The Office of Service-Learning recognizes students who demonstrate exemplary dedication to community partnerships, and rhetoric and writing studies students are among these dedicated individuals.
Recent Award Recipients
2011-12 Recipient