Essay Contest a Win for New Hartford Student

Caption: Standing, left to right: Professor Tim McLaughlin, Carol Satchwell, Sue Berger, and Joe Behan. Seated, left to right: Francesca Romano, Keiara Joyner, and Megan Buckner.

Photo by John Seiter

Cazenovia, NY – Students at Cazenovia College took part in a “First Year Program Summer Reading Essay Competition,” based on Randy Paush’s book, “The Last Lecture.” The summer reading is the first college-level assignment for incoming freshmen, each of whom is enrolled in a ‘freshman seminar’ course that is designed to integrate new students into Cazenovia College’s academic community.

Second prize, an external hard drive, went to Francesca Romano, of New Hartford, N.Y, an interior design major who is a student in Professor Ron Waite’s “Web 2.0” seminar. Romano said she was glad to have the opportunity to write about “such an inspirational man. Reading ‘The Last Lecture’ has changed my perspective not only on my college career, but my life. Randy Pausch lived the way everyone should, even with his conditions. I encourage everyone to read this book; I can promise it will inspire anyone who does.”

Keiara Joyner’s essay “Teamwork leads to Success,” was the grand prize winner. Joyner, a fashion design major from Glen Burnie, Md., is enrolled in Roxy Spano’s class “Mothers and Daughters in American Literature.” She won an iPod Touch. Joyner found the “The Last Lecture” heartwarming. She said, “this book shows that everyone should cherish the one life that they are given.”

Third prize, a flash drive, went to Megan Buckner, a visual communications major from Gilford, N.H., who is enrolled in Professor Anita Welych’s seminar, “Papermaking and Book Arts.” In selecting this essay as the best from her class, Welych said: “Megan’s essay stood out because, not only was the theme of community a particularly salient one here at Cazenovia, but it was well organized and beautifully written.” Buckner noted that she was familiar with the book before the reading was assigned. “My grandmother sent me “The Last Lecture” when I was in high school. Every time I read it, another bit of advice stands out. The lessons about working together have more meaning now that I’m in college.”

According to Professor of History Tim McLaughlin, dean of the First Year Program, “this combination of essay assignment and competition is intended to increase students’ engagement with the summer reading selection and make sure that they draw an intellectual connection between one of the book’s themes and their own entry into college.” He also noted that the prizes were selected based on recommendations from 2009 Summer College students.

The competition was judged by Sue Berger, executive vice president; Carol Satchwell, vice president for Institutional Advancement; and Joe Behan, vice president for student development and dean for student life, who reviewed the best essays from all 18 first year seminars. One student in each seminar received a Cazenovia College Bookstore gift certificate.

Funding for the competition was provided through the First Year Program restricted fund, individual contributions from faculty members, and the Cazenovia College Bookstore.

Essay Contest a Win for New Hartford Student

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