Kyle Brett is honored for outstanding essay at Lock Haven University

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Kyle Brett accepts a 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 third prize award of one hundred dollars was presented to Kyle Brett, a junior majoring in English with a concentration in Literature. He is the son of Kevin and Sherri Brett of Shillington, Pa.

His essay, "Loving and Stoking the Serpent: Beatrice-Joanna's Forbidden Love and Fall in "The Changeling,'" was written for Dr. Elizabeth Gruber's fall 2011 Renaissance Tragedy class.

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.

When asked about the importance of academic study of gender, Kyle responded that "Gender issues surround us, in popular media, in historical backgrounds, and it is ingrained in our cultures. The study of such issues allows a better understanding of how gender roles, issues and biases are forged." He added, "It is only through close examination of these gender issues that we can understand the complexity of gender issues within our history."

Kyle plans to pursue a Ph.D. in English and become a teacher himself.

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.