W. Keats Sparrow Writing Award Winners
The W. Keats Sparrow Writing Award recognizes excellence in research and writing by students in East Carolina University’s English composition classes. The award is sponsored by the Friends of Joyner Library and is named in honor of Dr. W. Keats Sparrow, Professor of English and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Learn more about the W. Keats Sparrow Writing Award
2023
Evan Lloyd, a freshman majoring in nursing, won first place with the paper “The Stonewall Riots: A Catalyst for the Gay Rights Movement.” Placing second was Billy F. Gordon, Jr., a junior in history, and the paper “Maritime Metal: A Brief Introduction to the Development of Ironclads During the United States Civil War.” Placing third was junior Owen Jones, a nursing major, and the paper “A Comparative Review of Wearable Devices for Cardiac Monitoring: Empowering Consumers and Clinical Staff for Informed Decision Making.”
We also recognize the important work of the faculty. Dr. Cheryl Dudasik-Wiggs was the instructor for the winning paper and second place. Instructor for third place was Dr. Brian Glover.
2022
Kathryn Fox produced this year’s winner paper titled “AI integration in Surgery: The Medical Field’s Death Sentence or Lifeline?” Placing second was Isabella Benitez with her paper titled “Stigma Around Anxiety & Depression in Hispanic/Latino College Students.” “Possible Effects of Psychedelic Microdosing on Mental Health” by Courtney Gibbs placed third. Anna Sykes received an honorable mention for her paper “Piecing Together the History of the ECU Orchestra.”
We also recognize the important work of the faculty. This year Marc Petersen was the instructor for our first place winner, while Nicole Allen was the instructor for our second place winner. Dr. Cheryl Dudasik-Wiggs instructed our third place winner, and Dr. Anne Mallory was the instructor for our honorable mention. Judges for the competition were Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition/Writing Foundations; Carla Pastor, Teaching Instructor in the Department of English; and Amy Curtis, Science Librarian, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2021
Ruby Bradford placed first this year with her paper titled “Academic Performance of Boys and Girls.” Placing second was Preston Broadus with a paper titled “Ethical & Safety Concerns in Genetically Modified Humans.”
We also recognize the English 2201 instructors for this year’s winners. This year Dr. Anne Mallory was the instructor for our first place winner. Dr. Brian Glover was the instructor for our second place winner. Judges for the competition were Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition/Writing Foundations; Grace Horne, Teaching Instructor in the Department of English; and Amy Curtis, Science Librarian, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2020
Haidyn Fairweather placed first this year with her paper titled “Impact of Global Warming on the Spread of Vector-Borne Diseases in the Northeastern Region.” Placing second was “Immigration Reform in the Context of the 2020 Presidential Election,” written by Dustin Humphries. In third place was Alessia Corsi placed third with her paper titled “The Effect of Polarization on Public Policy and Opinion; in Two or Multiparty Systems.”
Also deserving of recognition are the English 2201 instructors of this year’s winners. This year Marc Petersen was the instructor for two of our winners, Haidyn Fairweather and Alessia Corsi. Angela Kitchen was the instructor for Dustin Humphries. Judges for the competition were Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition/Writing Foundations; Grace Horne, Teaching Instructor in the Department of English; and Amy Curtis, Science Librarian, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2019
Lillian Shannon placed first this year with her paper titled “Making Informed Decisions Regarding Prenatal Genetic Testing and the Health Literacy Barrier.” The second place entry, “Equine Assisted Activities Benefit Special Populations in Occupational Therapy Practice,” was written by Hannah Donahue. Dianna Pittman placed third with her paper titled “The Detrimental Influence of Social Media Apps on Multimedia Journalism.”
We also recognize the instructors of the English 2201 sections that produced this year’s winners. This year Marc Petersen was the instructor for all three winners. Judges for the competition were Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition/Writing Foundations; Joseph Campbell, Teaching Instructor in the Department of English; and Amy Curtis, Science Librarian, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2018
Faith McKenzie Dias earned this year’s first place honors with her paper titled “Specific Benefits of Authoritative Parenting Style.” The second place entry, “The Potential of Microkernels,” was written by Dylan Reid Kerkhoff.
We also recognize the instructors of the English 2201 sections that produced this year’s winners. Celestine Davis was the instructor for first place finisher Faith McKenzie Dias, while Marc Petersen was Dylan Reid Kerkhoff’s instructor. Judges for the competition were Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition/Writing Foundations; Grace Horne, Teaching Instructor in the Department of English; and Meghan Wanucha, Coordinator of Instructional Assessment, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2017
Jasmine Perry earned first place honors with a work entitled “Homophobic Attitudes in Men.” The second place entry, “Motivating Students to Read,” was written by Jenna Murdock. Carly Shomsky placed third for “Sensory Processing Disorder and Occupational Therapy.”
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 2201 sections that produced the winners. Dr. Tracy Morse was Jasmine Perry and Jenna Murdock’s instructor, while Marc Petersen was Carly Shomsky’s instructor. Judges for the competition were Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition/Writing Foundations; Grace Horne, Teaching Instructor in the Department of English; and Meghan Wanucha, Coordinator of Instructional Assessment, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2016
Pictured: Marc Petersen, Ronnie Issa, Joshua Butler, and Dr. Brian Glover
Joshua Butler earned first place honors with a work entitled “Pain: It’s Problems and Treatments.” The second place entry, “Genetically Modified Crops – Revolutionary Grains of Hope,” was written by Ronnie Issa. Elysia Netter placed third for “2016 Keats Sparrow Award Winner - 3rd. Holy History Batman, Using Comic Books as Teaching Tools.”
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 2201 sections that produced the winners. Dr. Brian Glover was Joshua Butler and Elysia Netter’s instructor, while Marc Petersen was Ronnie Issa’s instructor. Judges for the competition were Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition/Writing Foundations; Grace Horne, Teaching Instructor in the Department of English; and Janis Skoczylas, University Technician, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2015
Drew Navarro earned first place honors with a work entitled “At the Crossroads of Empathy and Evidence in Modern Medicine.” The second place entry, “Alzheimer’s Care: Getting Better,” was written by Jenna Pate. Mia Andriana Leone placed third for “US Dollar Verse Chinese Yuan: A Global Currency Cat Fight.”
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Leanne Smith was Drew Navarro and Jenna Pate’s instructor, while Dr. Marianne Montgomery was Mia Andriana Leone’s instructor.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition/Writing Foundations; Grace Horne, Teaching Instructor in the Department of English; and Janis Skoczylas, University Technician, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2014
Ashley Campbell earned first place honors with her work entitled “The Effects of Text Message on Students’ Literacy.” The second place entry, “Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance: MRSA,” was written by Sarah Stout. Kimberly Miller placed third for “Land of the Free: Why Not ‘Sea of the Free?’” Marc Peterson was the instructor for all three winners, a first in the award program’s history.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition/Writing Foundations; Marc Peterson, Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of English; and Janis Skoczylas, University Technician, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2013
Lea W. Taylor of Faison, North Carolina earned first place honors with her work entitled “Spreading the Spectrum“. Second place went to Mikayla Ritchey of Greenville, North Carolina for “Breastfeeding: the Facts and Issues“. Allyson Middleton of King, North Carolina won third place for her paper, “Religion Versus Womens Reproductive Rights in the Pharmacy Field“.
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Angela Mellor was Lea W. Taylor’s instructor, Emilia Johnson was Mikayla Ritchey’s instructor, and Dr. Brian Glover was Allyson Middleton’s instructor.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition/Writing Foundations; Marc Petersen, Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of English; and Janis Skoczylas, University Technician, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2012
Ashley Lamb of Bath, North Carolina earned first place honors with her work entitled “What About a Feedsack Dress?” Second place went to Janelle O’Callaghan of Carolina Beach, North Carolina for “Society’s Struggle with Opium“. Danny Franch of Willow Springs, North Carolina won third place for his paper, “Hey Barbie, Math Class is not Tough.”
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Dr. Brian Glover was Ashley Lamb and Janelle O’Callaghan’s instructor; and Dr. Randall Martoccia was Danny Franch’s instructor.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Wendy Sharer, Associate Professor, Department of English & Quality Enhancement Program Chair; Dr. Tracy Morse, Director of Composition, Assistant Professor, Department of English; and Mr. Brandon Stilley, Library Technician, J. Y. Joyner Library.
2011
Kristy Bryant of Jacksonville, North Carolina earned first place honors with her work entitled “Catalysts and Treatments for Dental Anxiety in Children.” Second place went to Lauren Wilson of Norfolk, Virginia for “A Pollock Piece.” Elizabeth Smith of Holly Springs, North Carolina won third place for her paper, “Infection Control in the Intensive Care Unit.”
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Barbara Salvadori-Heritage was Kristy Bryant’s instructor; Marc Petersen was Lauren Wilson’s instructor; and Dr. Brian Glover was Elizabeth Smith’s instructor.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Wendy Sharer, Associate Professor of English and Director of the First Year Writing Program, Mr. Joe Campbell, Teaching Instructor, and Mr. Brandon Stilley, Library Technician.
2010
Sandie-Marie Williams, Liz Sparrow, Tara MacKenzie Parrish, & Emily Jane Price
Tara MacKenzie Parrish of Newton Grove, North Carolina earned first place honors with her work entitled “Smart Phone Usage: Is the Device Dominating Lives?” Second place went to Emily Jane Price of Oley, Pennsylvania for “Language Evolution in North Carolina.” Sandie-Marie Williams of Grandy, North Carolina won third place for her paper, “Recess in Schools: Disposable or Essential?”
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Dr. Brian Glover was Tara Parish and Sandie-Marie Williams’ instructor; Marc Petersen was Emily Price’s instructor.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Wendy Sharer, Associate Professor of English and Director of the First Year Writing Program, Mr. Timm Hackett, Teaching Instructor, and Mr. Brandon Stilley, Library Technician.
2009
Sarah Holmes of Belvidere, North Carolina earned first place honors with her work entitled “Standardized Testing and the No Child Left Behind Act: A Failing Attempt at Reform.” Second place went to Benjamin Aydelette of Greensboro, North Carolina for “God’s Place in School.” William Dorinsky of Raleigh, North Carolina won third place for his paper, “The Treacherous Commute: Could Biker Friendly Roads Promote Healthy Living and Protect Commuters?”
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Lynn Whichard was Sarah Holmes’ instructor; Benjamin Aydelette’s instructor was Randall Martoccia; and Chandra Cerrutti was William Dorinsky’s instructor.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Wendy Sharer, Associate Professor of English and Director of the First Year Writing Program, Mr. Joseph Campbell, English Department Lecturer, and Mr. David Hisle, Library Fellow.
2008
Pictured above from left to right are second place winner, Colleen Estes, Dr. W. Keats Sparrow, third place winner, Jessica Heath, and first place winner, Hannah Cantrell.
Hannah Cantrell of Newport, North earned first place honors with her work entitled “The 8th Most Endagered River in America: The Neuse River.” Second place went to Colleen Estes of Cary, North Carolina for “Could Breakfast be the Cure for the Rising Obesity Epidemic?” And “Family Farms to Corporate Organizations: Changing the Face of Easter North Carolina Agriculture” written by Jessica Heath of Greenville, North Carolina took third place.
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Cantrell and Estes were in Chandra Cerutti’s English 1200 class. Heath’s instructor was Grace Horne.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Wendy Sharer, Assistant Professor of English and Director of the First Year Writing Program, Mr. Joseph Campbell, English Department Lecturer, and Mr. Erik Estep, Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian for the North Carolina Collection in Joyner Library.
2007
Pictured above from left to right are Dr. W. Keats Sparrow, first place winner, Angie Eakin and second place winner Korie Amberger. Not pictured: third place winner Lauren Griffin.
Angie Eakin of Billings, Montana earned first place honors with her work entitled, “Roughage can be Smooth: Could Fiber Fortification be the Answer the U.S. is Looking For?” Second place went to Korie Amberger of Kinston, North Carolina for “B.S. in Debt.” “Maime Garner’s Bonnet: Fashioning a Life in Rural NC in the 1950s” written by Lauren Griffin of Woodbridge, Virginia took third place.
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Eakin and Amberger were in Chandra Cerutti’s English 1200 class. Griffin’s instructor was Grace Horne.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Wendy Sharer, Assistant Professor of English and Director of the First Year Writing Program, Dr. Clancy Ratliff, Assistant Professor of English and Mr. Mark Sanders, Assistant Professor and Interim Head of Reference for Joyner Library.
2006
Pictured above left to right are Dr. W. Keats Sparrow, third place winner Taren Burnette, second place winner Troy West, and first place winner D. J. Fussell, III.
Daniel Jerome (D. J.) Fussell III of Wallace, NC, earned first place honors with his work entitled, “From Vines to Wine: The Story of Duplin Winery.” Second place went to Troy West of Salemburg, NC for “Shrimp Fishing in the Intercoastal Waterways of North Carolina: Is the Catch of the Day Pulling in Too Much?” “Childhood Obesity: Downsizing a Growing Epidemic” written by Taren Burnette of Chapel Hill, NC, took third place.
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Fussell was in Stephanie West-Puckett’s English 1200 class. West was in Chandra Cerutti’s class, and Burnette’s instructor was Lynn Whichard.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Wendy Sharer, Assistant Professor of English and Director of the First Year Writing Program, Dr. William Banks, Assistant Professor of English and Associate Director of the First-Year Writing Program, and Mr. Joseph Thomas, Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian for Joyner Library.
2005
Pictured above left to right are third place winner Heather Gray, Megan Williams, first place winner, Dr. W. Keats Sparrow, and second place winner Caroline Brown.
Megan Williams, of Wilmington, NC, earned first place honors with her work entitled, “Violins over Violence: Mentoring At-Risk Youth with Music Education.” Second place went to Caroline Brown of Winterville, NC for “The Sanborn Map of Winterville: Evidence of the Cox Family’s Influence.” “Primary Care Physician” written by Heather Gray of Buxton, NC, took third place.
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Williams was in Lynn Whichard’s English 1200 class. Brown was in Dax Jennings’s class, and Gray’s instructor was Chandra Cerutti.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Jan Tovey, associate professor of English and director of Composition, Dr. Wendy Sharer, assistant professor of English and associate director of the First-Year Writing Program, and Mr. Joseph Thomas, Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian for Joyner Library.
2004
Pictured above, from left to right: Honorable Mention winners Louis Erazo and Emily Ann Woodrum, first-place winner Hannia C. Bejarano Rios, third-place winner Gretchen Corin Luttmer, and John Lawrence, Associate Director of Joyner Library.
Hannia C. Bejarano Rios, of Winterville, NC, earned first place honors with her work entitled, “Reasoning behind Moderate Patriotism.” Second place went to Jessica L. Eure of Corapeake, NC for “Pediatric Neurologist: An undying commitment to enhance a child’s quality of life.” “Anterior Cruciate Ligament” written by Gretchen Corin Luttmer of Wilmington, NC, took third place. Honorable mention recognition was awarded to Louis Erazo of Bridgewater, New Jersey for “Stopping A Legal Killer: Youth Smoking and Prevention,” and Emily Anne Woodrum, of Angier, NC, for “The Harry Potter Controversy.”
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Rios was in Nicole Nolan’s English 1200 class. Eure and Erazo were in Lynn Whichard’s class, and Luttmer was in a class taught by Rodney Dotson. Woodrum was in Timm Hackett’s class.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Michele T. Sharp, associate professor of English and director of the First-Year Writing Program, Dr. Wendy Sharer, assistant professor of English and associate director of the First-Year Writing Program, and Mr. Joseph Thomas, Assistant Professor and Instruction/Reference Librarian for Joyner Library.
2003
Pictured above, from left to right: President of the Friends of Joyner Library, Mrs. Jewelle Rogers; third-place winner Lonny Langston; second-place winner Emily Carter; first-place winner Meghan Potemra; honorable mention Hannah Winslow; and Dr. W. Keats Sparrow, dean of the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences and for whom the award is named.
Meghan Potemra, of Poolesville, Maryland, earned first place honors with her work entitled, “Textbook Prices, What is the Best Solution?” Second place went to Emily Carter of Wilmington, North Carolina for, “A Look at the Growing Need for Nontraditional Adoptions.” “The Evolved Meaning of Individuality,” written by Lonny Langston of Selma, North Carolina, took third place. Honorable mention recognition was awarded to Hannah Winslow of Hertford, North Carolina for, “While Life Plays Tricks on the Heart.”
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Potemra was in Nicole Nolan’s English 1200 class. Carter was in Rodney Dotson’s class, and Langston was in a class taught by David Wilson-Okamura. Winslow was in Mary Carroll-Hackett’s class.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Michele T. Sharp, Associate Professor of English and Director of the First-Year Writing Program; Dr. Wendy Sharer, Assistant Professor of English and Associate Director of the First-Year Writing Program, and Mrs. Nancy P. Shires, Associate Professor in the Verona Joyner Langford North Carolina Collection of Joyner Library.
2002
Amanda Johnson received first place recognition for her paper, “Life in Southern Mill Villages, 1900s.” “Letter to Soldier” earned Kim Menard second place honors, while Sarah Jones took third place for her paper, “Training the Parent for Sport.” Honorable mention recognition was awarded to Nikki Roberts for “Railroads in Hamlet,” and to Leonard John Lanier for two essays: “Did They Die With Their Boots On?” and “German-Latin American Internment? What it Means For Us Today.”
Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the ENGL 1200 sections that produced the winners. Amanda was in Stephanie West-Puckett’s ENGL 1200 class. Kim was in Corinee Guy’s class, while Sarah and Nikki were in a section taught by Wendy Sharer. Leonard was in Mary Carroll-Hackett’s class.
Judges for the competition were Dr. Richard C. Taylor, Associate Professor of English and Director of the First-Year Writing Program; Dr. Wendy Sharer, Assistant Professor of English and Associate Director of the First-Year Writing Program, and Susan Gardner, Assistant Professor and Instruction Librarian, Joyner Library.
2001
Winners of the 2001 competition were announced at a ceremony on Tuesday, August 14. Meagan Attanasi was awarded the first place prize of $100 for her paper, “Theories of Origin: Ring Around the Rosie.” Rebecca Lynn Goodmuth received the second place prize of $75 for “Uproar Close to Earth’s Core.” The third place award of $50 went to Sara Sanders for “Give It Up for the Antihero.”
Judges for the competition were Dr. Richard C. Taylor, Associate Professor of English and Director of the First-Year Writing Program; Dr. Laura Micciche, Assistant Professor of English and Associate Director of the First-Year Writing Program, and Susan Gardner, Assistant Professor and Instruction Librarian, Joyner Library.