Caitlin Chciuk is honored for outstanding essay at Lock Haven University

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Caitlin Chciuk (right) accepts the top Virginia Martin Prize in Gender Issues from Dr. Nicole Burkholder-Mosco.

LOCK HAVEN, PA (03/28/2012)(readMedia)-- Lock Haven University is pleased to announce the winners of the first annual Virginia Martin Prizes in Gender Issues. The recipients were announced at the university's "Let Her Voice Be Heard" celebration on March 22.

The first prize award of two hundred fifty dollars was presented to Caitlin Chciuk, a senior majoring in English with a concentration in Writing. She is the daughter of Stanley and Jennifer Chciuk of Whippany, N.J.

Her prize-winning essay was entitled "Peace in Times of War: The Mothers of the Disappeared Countering the 'Dirty War' in Argentina." The essay was written for Dr. Gayatri Devi's fall 2011 Humanities seminar on Women and Peace.

The Virginia Martin Prizes are awarded on the basis of essays using gender and women's issues as the topic, focus of analysis or thematic concern. The essay competition is open to men and women in all disciplines.

Caitlin believes that it is important to study gender issues because it helps people understand the need for gender equality both within our country and around the world.

Caitlin plans to pursue graduate studies in 2013.

The awards were made possible by a gift from Associate Professor Emerita Virginia Martin, teacher, scholar, life-long supporter of gender studies and retired faculty member of the LHU English Department. Professor Martin played a pivotal role in establishing the Women's Studies Program at LHU.

The Virginia Martin Prizes in Gender Issues will be awarded annually.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.