2013-2014 Scholarship Recipients

Recipients [PDF]

E. Nelson James Junior Scholarship ($3,000 each)
	Margaret Cipriano Bradley University Beta Lambda Chapter Margaret Cipriano, a senior at Bradley University in Peoria, IL, is pursuing her B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in Marketing. She currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Broadside, Bradley University's Literary Arts Journal. Margaret has published an essay in The Sigma Tau Delta Review, and upon graduation plans to pursue an M.F.A. in poetry.
	Melodie Roschman Andrews University Nu Sigma Chapter Melodie Roschman is a senior at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI, pursuing a B.A. in English Literature and Journalism. She is President of the Nu Sigma Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta and Editor-in-Chief of the Student Movement, Andrews' student newspaper. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in English Literature and become a professor of 20th Century British Literature and Speculative Fiction.
Runner-up ($1,500)
	Anna Miller St. Norbert College (MW) Alpha Tau Chapter Anna Miller is a junior at St. Norbert College in DePere, WI, majoring in English and Women's and Gender Studies. She served as the Vice President for Sigma Tau Delta's Alpha Tau Chapter, and will continue her work as the Sigma Tau Delta student editor this summer. Anna's current academic endeavors involve the intersection of literature and gender theory.
Elva Bell McLin Senior Scholarship ($4,000 each)
	Alexander Muller Winthrop University Iota Mu Chapter Alex Muller, a senior English major at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, has served as President of the Iota Mu Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta and as Editor-in-Chief of the annual literary and art magazine, The Anthology. His critical writing recently won the Frederic Fadner Critical Essay Award in The Sigma Tau Delta Review, and his poetry has appeared in Sanctuary and Kakalak. After graduation, Alex plans to pursue graduate school and eventually earn a Ph.D. in either English literature or creative writing.
	Laura Williams Rockhurst University Alpha Mu Gamma Chapter Laura Williams graduated summa cum laude in May 2014 from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO, with a B.A. in English and Secondary Education. She worked as a writing tutor in the university's learning center, served as Editor-in-Chief of the 2013 installment of Infectus, Rockhurst's student literary and visual arts journal, and served as President of the Alpha Mu Gamma Chapter for the 2013-2014 academic year. Laura looks forward to pursuing an M.S. in Education and beginning her career as a high school English teacher this fall.
Runner-up ($2,000)
	Brianna Snow Clarion University Rho Iota Chapter Brianna Snow graduated in May 2014 with a B.A. in English and a specialization in writing from Clarion University in Clarion, PA, where she served as Vice President of Sigma Tau Delta's Rho Iota Chapter. In fall 2014, she will attend Chatham University's M.F.A. in Creative Writing program for fiction.
Edwin L. Stockton, Jr., Graduate Scholarship ($4,000)
	Laura Hanna Auburn University Kappa Theta Chapter Laura Hanna is earning an M.A. in English at Auburn University in Auburn, AL. Her concentration is in literature with a focus in twentieth-century studies. In spring 2013, Laura graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA, where she earned a B.A. in English with a minor in Political Science. She has served as President of VSU's Alpha Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta and as poetry editor of VSU's The Odradek. Several of her poems have been published in The Odradek and in Auburn University's AU Circle.
Runner-up ($2,000 each)
	Micaela Dudley Carnegie Mellon University Omega Tau Chapter Micaela Dudley is pursuing her M.A. in Professional Writing from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, and M.A. in Investigative Literature from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Interested primarily in the use of technology and new media in the publishing and journalism industries, she recently received B.A.s in Professional Writing and Creative Writing, as well as a minor in Global Systems and Management, from Carnegie Mellon University. She helped found and served as the first President of the Omega Tau Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, was a member of Delta Delta Delta, and in her senior year served as Student Body Vice President at Carnegie Mellon University.
	Thea Prieto Portland State University Alpha Omicron Kappa Chapter Thea Prieto studied English and creative writing at the University of California, Berkeley. She is currently pursuing her M.F.A. in Fiction Writing at Portland State University.
William C. Johnson Distinguished Scholarship ($5,000)
	Hannah Covington Oral Roberts University Alpha Iota Psi Chapter Hannah Covington recently earned her B.A. in English Literature at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK, while double majoring in Spanish and minoring in Journalism. She served as the President of her local Sigma Tau Delta chapter for three years and as Editor-in-Chief of her campus newspaper, The Oracle, during her senior year. Hannah plans to attend graduate school in the fall and pursue her interest in subjects like transatlantic modernism and women's studies.
Runner-up ($3,000)
	Kyle Johnston Westfield State University (E) Alpha Eta Sigma Chapter Kyle Johnston graduated from Westfield State University in Westfield, MA, in May 2014 with a B.A. in English Literature and minors in Philosophy and French. He will be attending the English M.A./Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the fall of 2014 and hopes to one day teach literary studies at the college level.
Sigma Tau Delta Study Abroad Scholarship ($3,000 each) First Round
	Anna Miller St. Norbert College (MW) Alpha Tau Chapter Anna Miller is a junior at St. Norbert College in DePere, WI, majoring in English and Women's and Gender Studies. Currently, Anna is studying abroad at Goldsmiths University in London, England. Anna served as the Vice President for Sigma Tau Delta's Alpha Tau Chapter, and will continue her work as the Sigma Tau Delta student editor this summer.
	Olivia Trabysh West Texas A&M University Chi Theta Chapter Olivia Trabysh, a junior at West Texas A&M University, is majoring in English and minoring in Art History. She will participate in a post-conflict transformation clinic in Rwanda and Uganda this summer. Her plans for graduate school include obtaining a joint Ph.D. and J.D., with an emphasis on the social psychology of underdeveloped nations.
Second Round
	Rebecca Clements University of Kentucky (S) Delta Epsilon Upsilon Chapter Rebecca Clements is a junior at the University of Kentucky. She is majoring in English and Film, Television, and Digital Media with a minor in Spanish. This fall, she will be studying in Spain at la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.
	Colton Cox SUNY, College at Oneonta Mu Omega Chapter Colton Cox is a senior at SUNY Oneonta, where he is seeking a BA in English with minors in Creative Writing and Professional Writing. He has served on the executive boards for Oneonta's chapter of Sigma Tau Delta as well as Art & Scope, a student literary magazine. Upon graduating, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in literature. He will be spending the upcoming fall semester at the University of Oxford.
Regent Scholarships ($1,000 each) Eastern
	Lena Stypeck University of Maryland, College Park Chi Tau Chapter Olivia Trabysh, a junior at West Texas A&M University, is majoring in English and minoring in Art History. She will participate in a post-conflict transformation clinic in Rwanda and Uganda this summer. Her plans for graduate school include obtaining a joint Ph.D. and J.D., with an emphasis on the social psychology of underdeveloped nations.
Far Western
	Amanda Mills Southern Utah University Alpha Eta Nu Chapter Amanda Mills is a senior at Southern Utah University majoring in English (with an emphasis in Creative Writing) and minoring in German and History. She has served as the Secretary of the Alpha Eta Nu Chapter and has studied abroad in Austria and Canada. After graduation, she plans to continue writing novels and eventually teach creative writing at a university.

High Plains
	Sarah Wolf Hastings College Alpha Alpha Psi Chapter Sarah Wolf is a senior at Hastings College in Hastings, NE, pursuing B.A.s in English Literature and Secondary English Education (with an additional ESL endorsement) and B.M.s in Music Education and Flute Performance. After graduating in May 2015, she plans to pursue graduate studies in English and to eventually obtain a Ph.D. in English Composition and Rhetoric.
Midwestern
	Ryan Arciero Lewis University Rho Lambda Chapter Ryan Arciero graduated from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, where he earned his B.A. in English with Highest Honors. He was a proud member of Sigma Tau Delta and Teachers of Tomorrow, as well as a Writing Center tutor and Lasallian scholar. Ryan was recently accepted to the University of South Florida, Tampa, with a graduate assistantship as he pursues his M.A. in English Literature. He intends to eventually focus on either early American or British literature, earn a Ph.D., and become a college professor.
Southern
	Kimberly Lillienthal Elon University Xi Omicron Chapter Kim Lilienthal is a senior at Elon University in North Carolina earning a B.A. in English with concentrations in Literature and Professional Writing & Rhetoric. She has conducted a two-year honors thesis studying the connections between critical thinking and English language development in elementary school students. Over the next two years, she plans to attend North Carolina State University to pursue an M.A. in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition.
Southwestern
	Stephanie Newton Western New Mexico University Zeta Gamma Chapter Stephanie Newton is currently a junior attending Western New Mexico University. She is pursuing her B.A. in English with a minor in Sociology. She serves as President of the WNMU Sigma Tau Delta chapter and is actively involved in student government as an Associate Justice on the Judicial Committee. She plans to earn her M.A. in English and later a Ph.D. to fulfill her aspirations of passing on her love of literature as a college professor.
P. C. Somerville Teaching Awards ($1,000 each)
Winners ($2,000 each)
	Jill West Western Carolina University Theta Sigma Chapter Jill West graduated summa cum laude from Western Carolina University with a B.S. in English Education and a B.A. in English Studies Pedagogy with a minor in Spanish. She served as Vice President of the Theta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. Promoting literacy in public schools is her passion. She hopes to continue her research endeavors while beginning to teach high school English in North Carolina and traveling abroad each chance she gets.
	Laura Williams Rockhurst University Alpha Mu Gamma Chapter Laura Williams graduated summa cum laude in May 2014 from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO, with a B.A. in English and Secondary Education. She worked as a writing tutor in the university's learning center, served as Editor-in-Chief of the 2013 installment of Infectus, Rockhurst's student literary and visual arts journal, and served as President of the Alpha Mu Gamma Chapter for the 2013-2014 academic year. Laura looks forward to pursuing an M.S. in Education and beginning her career as a high school English teacher this fall.
Runners-up ($1,000 each)
	Allyson Heim University of Delaware Mu Rho Chapter Allyson Heim recently completed her Honors B.A. in English Education at the University of Delaware. She is looking forward to sharing her love of literature, writing, and the arts with her future high school students.
	Kara Salmon Bradley University Beta Lambda Chapter Kara Salmon graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, with a B.S. in English Secondary Education. In addition to being a member of the Beta Lambda Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, Kara trains service dogs for Paws Giving Independence. This fall she looks forward to starting her career as a middle or high school English teacher.
Part-Time Undergraduate Scholarship ($2,500)
	Kristine Steddum Missouri Southern State University Lambda Xi Chapter Kristine Steddum is a senior at Missouri Southern State University majoring in Creative Writing with minors in Literature and American Studies. She continues to serve as Sigma Tau Delta Lambda Xi Chapter Treasurer as she has for the past two years. After graduating in December 2014, Kristine's plans include pursuing an M.F.A. in Poetry, writing professionally, and teaching creative writing.
Summer Program Scholarship ($1,500 each)
	Gabrielle Smith Loyola University, Maryland (E) Rho Upsilon Chapter Gabrielle Smith is a senior at Loyola University Maryland pursuing a B.A. in English and Secondary Education. She is actively involved in Loyola's Center for Community Service and Justice, the York Road Student Association, and the Peace and Justice Studies Initiative. In the future, Gabrielle hopes to obtain an M.A. in English or Education in order to eventually teach at the secondary level.
	Stephen Speers University of North Carolina, Asheville (S) Eta Omicron Chapter Stephen Speers studies at the University of North Carolina Asheville and is majoring in Literature with a teaching licensure for grades 9-12. He is also a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and will be teaching English in the North Carolina public school system. This summer, Stephen will be traveling to South Korea and participating in the Korea Summer Studies Program through Hannam University, where he will have the opportunity to teach English to primary school students.
Alumni Epsilon Scholarship (up to $2,500)
Winner ($2,500)
	J.D. Sellgren Alumnus of Alvernia University Rory (aka J.D.) Sellgren is a Ph.D. student in Medieval Studies focusing on Dante's Commedia at the University of Leeds (UK). Rory received a B.A. at Alvernia College (Kappa Pi Chapter) in 2005 with a dual major in English and Theology. He received an M.A. in New Testament Theology at the Claremont School of Theology in 2009 and a second M.A. in Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds in 2010.
Runner-up ($1,000)
	Kristina McClendon Alumna of Pepperdine University Kristina McClendon graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in English from Pepperdine University in 2012. She has presented at several regional, national, and international conferences including the Sigma Tau Delta 2013 and 2014 conventions. In fall 2014, Kristina will begin an M.A. in Victorian Studies in the United Kingdom. Upon completion of her M.A. she will pursue a Ph.D. in Victorian Studies with the aim of teaching at the university level. Her research interests include Victorian novel, Victorian theatre, Victorian periodicals, and representations of women in Victorian literature.