First and Second Year Students
Third and Fourth Year Students
First Place
Rebecca Korf
Whitworth University
Contest Details
The winning essays were reviewed by four panels of judges. A special thank you goes out to the panel of our finalist judges:
- Karen Fraser, State Senator
- Hans Zeiger, State Representative
The essay contest was open to all undergraduate students currently enrolled in WaCLA member institutions. Entrants were divided into two categories: students who have freshman or sophomore standing at their institution and those who have junior or senior standing. Awards were made in two categories: freshmen/sophomores and juniors/seniors. Two awards were made in each category: $1,000 for first place and $750 for second place.
The student essays responded to the following prompt, in 500 words or less:
A liberal arts education values ways of knowing that cross the humanities, the arts, and the social, natural, and physical sciences. This multifaceted approach to knowledge inspires creative responses to important topics and pressing issues, both present and future. Drawing on your experience with a specific topic or issue that you have explored either inside or outside of school, discuss the importance of the liberal arts as a means of engaging with the present and shaping our individual and collective future.
Michael Zimmerman
Vice President for Academic Affairs
The Evergreen State College