Janie Sikes, of Townsend, Wins Writing Contest at University of Delaware

NEWARK, DE (12/09/2011)(readMedia)-- University of Delaware Provost Tom Apple and a selection committee composed of other senior administrators have chosen a winner in the third Excellence in Writing competition of the year, a 100-word essay on the future of UD.

Senior Janie Sikes, a communication major from Townsend, Del., has been named the first-place winner.

Her essay, which can be read online (http://www.udel.edu/writing/winners.html), highlights the University's brand campaign and suggests innovation and imagination will be key to the institution's future.

"The ability to write clearly and concisely is essential in today's world, where information is written, shared and 'tweeted' in a matter of seconds," says Apple. "It is therefore incredibly encouraging to see that our students are working so deftly to hone these fundamental communications skills."

In addition to a monetary award of $500 Sikes will have the opportunity to meet with Apple and other senior administrators to discuss her thoughts and suggestions for the University's future.

About the Excellence in Writing competition

The Excellence in Writing competition is a series of four different essay contests spread over the course of the academic year. It is open to the entire undergraduate campus community and designed to engage students and inspire rich intellectual dialogue.

The fourth and final competition in the series will be held during the spring 2012 semester. More information can be found on the Excellence in Writing website.