One of my previous blogs reported the new study, Academically Adrift, finding a significant drop in writing assignments in college courses.  Meanwhile, here at Boise State we are celebrating the 2012 President’s Writing Awards, a program and title that predated my presidency, but a program I enjoy attending every year so I can present the awards to the students.

Thanks to our English Department and the leadership of Carrie Seymour, the program invites faculty and students from across all disciplines to participate in various writing competitions and send a strong message about the importance of writing in the undergraduate experience.  Congratulations to Carrie and her colleagues across the campus as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the program.  Finally, congratulations to the student award winners for their courage to write and convey their sense of self and to understand and explain the world around them.