The University of Maine at Fort Kent is pleased to announce the publication of the ENG 100 and Rural U Writing Project Composition Series: LIFE Review, Volume Three.
In a Zoom event on June 7, 2023, hosted by English faculty members Dr. Joseph Becker and Professor Geraldine Cannon Becker, the third book of the series was unveiled.
These student interview essays went through a peer review process and were evaluated before being nominated for publication by their teachers. The selected essays were finally read by a panel of objective judges to select for the awards.
This year, the Old Sylvain House Press Awards were funded by Dr. Joseph E. Becker and Professor Geraldine Cannon Becker.
Winners of the awards are: first place, Norah Christensen (Durham, ME); second place, Aaliyah Samuels (Fort Kent); and third place, Isabelle Martin (Bangor, ME); as well as three honorable mentions: Anna McLaughlin (Chelsea, QC, Canada), Trinity Bordei (Newport, NH), and Crystal Forbes (Fort Fairfield, ME).
“English studies and publication opportunities are important in all fields. English and Communication courses give students tools and techniques for LIFE. An English minor would go deeper into how to more effectively apply skills of communication and creativity to their individual fields of study,” said Dr. Joseph E. Becker.
All money from book sales goes into the Old Sylvain House Press Award Fund. This Fund was put in place by Dr. Becker and Professor Cannon Becker to benefit the education of students at UMFK and honor their commitment to the importance of education for young people, specifically in the area of English Language Arts.
Professor Geraldine Cannon Becker said, “Students could select to earn a certificate by completing six courses or take a minor in Nature and Environmental Writing (NEW). Compatible with many majors, students could choose to minor in English at UMFK, and we would be happy to help them succeed. Come grow with us!”
On top of paying for the publication of essays written for the Composition Series: LIFE Review, depending upon funding, an annual scholarship may be awarded to a student who has had an essay published and is pursuing a degree in an area of study that is compatible with English at UMFK.
UMFK’s Development Officer, Shannon Lugdon, notes that anyone interested in donating toward the publication or scholarship award could give at UMFK.edu/give and designate Old Sylvain House Press Award Fund in the memo.
Copies of this volume and earlier volumes of the Composition Series: LIFE Review may be purchased through the Old Sylvain House Press website.