Miranda Daviduk, of Chadds Ford, Named One of UD's Top Essay Writers

NEWARK, DE (12/09/2011)(readMedia)-- University of Delaware Provost Tom Apple and a selection committee composed of other senior administrators have chosen two winners 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., and junior Miranda Daviduk, an English and mass communication double major and performance studies minor from Chadds Ford, Pa., have been named first- and second-place winners, respectively.

Their essays, which can be read online (http://www.udel.edu/writing/winners.html), highlight the University's brand campaign and suggest 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 monetary awards of $500 and $250, Sikes and Daviduk will have the opportunity to meet with Apple and other senior administrators to discuss their 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.