Elsie E. Bock Writing Award

The Elsie E. Bock Writing Award is presented annually at the Academic Awards Banquet to recognize a student who, through the freshman composition course, has demonstrated a high degree of proficiency in argumentative and persuasive writing through a strong personal voice. Ms. Bock served as an English professor at the College until her death in 1996.

• 2019-20: Ernest Murphy ’23
• 2018-19: Anna Catherine Kueng ’22
• 2017-18: Mary Allman
• 2016-17: Sarah Mock ’20
• 2015-16: Michael Dunmyer ’18

Floyd H. and Rowe M. Crews Memorial Award

This award was established in 1962 by the children of Floyd H. Crews, Class of 1922, and Rowe M. Crews for the purpose of encouraging students to develop their ability in the field of creative writing. This award is given annually to the student who makes the best written contribution to the student publications of University of Lynchburg.

• 2019-20: Barbara Yauss ’20
• 2018-19: Trinity Byerly ’20
• 2017-18: Barbara Yauss ’20
• 2016-17: Azaria Brown ’18 and Samah Rash ’19
• 2015-16: Evangeline Pappas

Laura Jeter Parker Award

This award was established in memory of Laura Jeter Parker, associate professor of English at University of Lynchburg, by her by friends, students, and colleagues. She served as director of Freshman English, the Junior English Program, and the Writing Laboratory until her death in 1972. The annual award recognizes graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in their English studies.

• 2019-20: Barbara Yauss ’20
• 2018-19: Katelyn Zawojski ’19
• 2017-18: Chloe Fisher ’18
• 2016-17: Angelica Santiago Gonzalez ’17
• 2015-16: Angela Arthur

Libbie Keeton LaPrade Creative Writing Award

This award was established to honor the memory of Libbie Keeton Laprade, an English major and 1947 graduate of the College, by her husband, Wallace ’48, and their children. The award is presented annually to a student showing exceptional promise in writing in multiple genres.

• 2019-20: Christopher “Hiatt” O’Connor ’20
• 2018-19: Samah Rash ’19
• 2017-18: Azaria Brown ’18
• 2016-17: Angelica Santiago Gonzalez ’17
• 2015-16: Sarah Bryant ’16

Mervyn W. Williamson Award

This award was established in memory of Dr. Mervyn Williamson by his wife, Rhoda L. Williamson, to recognize a full-time undergraduate student who most clearly reflects Dr. Williamson’s love for literature and Christian ideals. A 1948 graduate of the College, Dr. Williamson was a professor of English and chairman of the English Department at the time of his death in 1983. He was a renowned expert in linguistics, dialects, and local history.

• 2019-20: Allison “Allie” Jones ’20
• 2018-19: Mallory Henderson ’20
• 2017-18: Sara Severens ’18
• 2016-17: Aja Stevens ’17, ’19 MEd
• 2015-16: April Love ’16, ’20 MEd and Christine Swett ’16

Outstanding Senior Award in English

Established by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and given for the first time in 2012, this award was created to honor the most outstanding senior English major. Criteria for the award include high academic achievement, student participation in extracurricular and scholarly activities, contribution to campus life at LC, and recommendations from individual members of the English Department.

• 2017-18: Jeremy Blasiole ’18
• 2016-17: Kirsty Hughes ’18
• 2015-16: Sarah Bryant ’16
• 2014-15: Savannah Evans ’15
• 2013-14: Leah Vitello ’14

The Barbara C. Scotland Scholarship Fund

Established in 2014 by Barbara C. Scotland ’86 in appreciation of the high quality education and faculty support she received while at University of Lynchburg, this award will be given to a second-semester junior or first-semester senior English major who demonstrates superior oral and written communication skills and who intends to pursue a career which incorporates these skills or who demonstrates intent to pursue an advanced degree in the field.

• 2014-15: Angela Arthur ’16

The Belle M. Hill Creative Poetry Award

This award was established in memory by Belle M. Hill’s sons to be presented annually to a student who has demonstrated a high degree of proficiency in creative poetry writing. Mrs. Hill taught a variety of English literature and poetry classes in the College’s English department.

• 2019-20: Marley Peterson ’22 and Holly Peterson ’20
• 2018-19: Christopher “Hiatt” O’Connor ’20
• 2017-18: Holly Peterson ’20
• 2016-17: Jose Quintana ’17
• 2015-16: Angelica Santiago Gonzalez ’17

The Charles H. Barrett Creative Writing Award

This award was established by Marilyn A. Cadoff, a 1968 alumna of the College and former student of Professor Barrett, in his memory as a much-beloved teacher and mentor to many students. Dr. Barrett directed the Freshman English program at the College from 1960-1979 and taught a variety of writing courses. The award is presented annually to recognize a student who has demonstrated a high degree of proficiency in creative writing.

• 2019-20: Trinity Byerly ’20 and Allison “Allie” Jones ’20
• 2018-19: Holly Peterson ’20
• 2017-18: Samah Rash ’19
• 2016-17: Eva Jane Pappas
• 2015-16: Tabitha Venditti ’16

The Lesley Friedman Award

Established in 2017 as the John Mills Turner Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Scholarship the award was renamed to honor the memory of Dr. Lesley Friedman who taught in the Philosophy Department from 1993 until 2016. Friedman was the John Mills Turner Distinguished Chair in the Humanities from 2011 to 2016. She also won the Shirley E. Rosser Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2011 and the Elsie Ervin Bock Award for Excellence in Citizenship in 2003. The award recognizes the undergraduate student in each department in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences with the best overall project, paper, or creative endeavor.

• 2018-19: Katherin “Kay” Hames ’19
• 2017-18: Stephanie Jackson ’18
• 2016-17: Stephanie Jackson ’18

The Rona L. Adams & Brian Adams Yates Scholarship

Established in 2004 to honor Brian Adams Yates and amended in 2006 to honor Rona L. Adams as well, this fellowship grant is awarded to a History major or minor and to an English major or minor for study abroad.

• 2019-20: Amy Powell ’21
• 2018-19: Meagan Campbell ’19
• 2017-18: Samah Rash ’19
• 2016-17: Kirsty Hughes ’18
• 2015-16: Aja Stevens ’17, ’19 MEd