Awards highlight student writers, employees

Energetic and accomplished East Carolina University students were honored as award-winners by Academic Library Services in the Janice Hardison Faulkner Library, the day before ECU’s spring 2025 commencement ceremony.

The library posted photos on social media of the winners, who were present for the library’s annual student awards ceremony.

Library employee Walter Lanham, first-year and student transitions librarian, presented about the W. Keats Sparrow Writing Awards, which psychology major Theodore Sisson won first place and art major Elena Hall earned second place. Lanham read excerpts from their papers. Sisson’s paper was titled, “The Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Young Adults’ Mental Health,” and Hall’s paper was, “Impacts of Graphic Design Through World War II Propaganda Posters.”

Then longtime library supporter Marie Thompson provided remarks, giving heartfelt insight about her collegiate experience and why the Marie and James Thompson Student Employee Award is important to her to provide some financial assistance to library student employees who are working and taking classes.

The four Marie and James Thompson Student Employee Award winners were: Interlibary Loan employee Keaton Caldwell, engineering. Presented by James Stroud; Circulation and North Carolina Collection employee Shatiece Starks, library science. Presented by Jennifer Daugherty; Engagement and Outreach employee Analise Watts, communication. Presented by Kayla Hathaway; and Research and Instructional Services and Laupus Library employee Tyrell Wilson, library science. Presented by Mollie Frazier.