Senior wins regional award for work as a tutor
March 16, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- A Western Michigan University student who serves as a writing tutor will be honored by a regional organization later this month for her commitment to helping fellow students become better writers.
WMU Writing Center tutor Anne Miracle will receive the East Central Writing Center Association's Tutor of the Year award at the organization's 23rd Annual Conference, Friday, March 23, at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Miracle is the third recipient of this award and will receive an award certificate, a $200 cash prize, a gift certificate and a registration fee waiver for this year's conference.
Miracle was chosen from among undergraduate tutors from seven states who were nominated for the award. Nominations were made by university administrators and faculty members, and nominees were required to submit personal statements describing their philosophical approach to tutoring, illustrated through narrative about significant tutoring sessions. ECWCA board and committee members determined the winner based on nominees' philosophy statements, nomination letters and cover letters.
Miracle, a senior majoring in interpersonal communication and women's studies, says her training and knowledge of nonverbal and verbal communication have made her an attentive listener when assisting students.
"While listening to students' verbal explanations and concerns may challenge time constraints, it may also decrease tension and lead to productivity," says Miracle.
"Anne focuses on assisting writers in advocating for their own literacy [and] assisting writers as they develop their own critical relationship with writing," wrote Dr. Kurt Kearcher, writing center director, in Miracle's nomination letter.
Miracle, who hails from Ortonville, Mich., spends her free time volunteering as an Odyssey of the Mind co-coach at a local high school and plans to enter the work force after she graduates in April.
Media contact: Erika Molloseau, 616 387-8400
