Allegheny College student Annie Nybo of Encinitas, Calif., Places First in National Essay Competition

Related Media

MEADVILLE, PA (02/24/2011)(readMedia)-- Allegheny College student Annie Nybo of Encinitas, Calif., has placed first in a national undergraduate essay competition sponsored by the Jane Austen Society of North America.

A graduate of San Dieguito High School, Nybo is a senior double major in English and history. She recently completed a senior project for both majors titled "Manipulating the Margins: The Social and Historical Relevance of Jane Austen's Widow Figures." After a semester-long experience last spring at the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England, Nybo interned during summer 2010 with Penguin Group USA, a major publishing firm. She also has participated in the College Chorus, Alpha Delta Pi sorority and Phi Alpha Theta history honor society.

Last semester Nybo helped to revive Allegheny's chapter of the Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society. She also works as a writing consultant in the college's Learning Commons, assisting students with research papers, lab reports and other assignments.

"Annie wrote her essay for the Jane Austen Society competition during winter break while classes were not in session," said Dean of the College Linda DeMeritt. "That level of dedication speaks volumes about her passion for literature and her enthusiasm as a scholar. We are proud of Annie's achievements and grateful for her contributions to her discipline and the Allegheny community."

The 32nd oldest college in the nation, Allegheny College will celebrate its bicentennial in 2015. One of 40 colleges featured in Loren Pope's "Colleges That Change Lives," Allegheny is among only 16 percent of liberal arts colleges nationally that require independent research and/or original creative work of all graduates. Ninety percent of Allegheny alumni seeking employment start a career within eight months of graduation, and the college ranks in the top 5 percent of schools nationally whose students go on to earn Ph.Ds.

The national liberal arts college where 2,100 students with unusual combinations of interests, skills and talents excel.