2008 Woodie Awards
Essays improve college
James Spung, Managing Editor
Issue date: 2/20/07
Last Updated: 8/9/07
Every year, students are given the chance to propose changes and improvements that they would like to make to Whitworth - and win money in the process - by submitting an essay to the Founder's Day scholarship competition.
The two winning proposals of this year's scholarship, which were announced at Spring Convocation on Feb. 8, focused on facilities for the disabled and departmental exhibitions.
Juniors Betty Gardner and Beth Carlson were selected as the winners of the scholarship for writing the best proposals. Each student received an award of $1,000 towards her Spring tuition.
"We look at the originality and viability of the idea, and the positive impact it could have on Whitworth," associate professor of education Barb Sanders, who chose the faculty selection committee, said. "We also look at the presentation of the idea, and was the paper persuasive. We decided that the winners had the best ideas."
Gardner's proposition dealt with what she perceived to be a lack of personal care facilities on campus for students with disabilities, especially those with hidden disabilities.
"[My essay] was about the lack of private facilities on campus for people who are physically challenged," Gardner said.
Gardner added that people have various hidden disabilities and have to take care of them in private areas that are apparently few and far between on campus. The changes she suggested included roomier restroom stalls with sinks inside.
"Some challenges are not apparent, but there are people with unseen disabilities," Gardner said. "The compassionate, and probably legal, response is to accommodate them."
Gardner had noticed the lack of these facilities before the invitations to apply for the scholarship were sent out. She knew immediately what she wanted to propose.
"I went 'All right! A forum for this thing I've been thinking about.' I think when opportunity knocks, you should take advantage of it," Gardner said.
The two winning proposals of this year's scholarship, which were announced at Spring Convocation on Feb. 8, focused on facilities for the disabled and departmental exhibitions.
Juniors Betty Gardner and Beth Carlson were selected as the winners of the scholarship for writing the best proposals. Each student received an award of $1,000 towards her Spring tuition.
"We look at the originality and viability of the idea, and the positive impact it could have on Whitworth," associate professor of education Barb Sanders, who chose the faculty selection committee, said. "We also look at the presentation of the idea, and was the paper persuasive. We decided that the winners had the best ideas."
Gardner's proposition dealt with what she perceived to be a lack of personal care facilities on campus for students with disabilities, especially those with hidden disabilities.
"[My essay] was about the lack of private facilities on campus for people who are physically challenged," Gardner said.
Gardner added that people have various hidden disabilities and have to take care of them in private areas that are apparently few and far between on campus. The changes she suggested included roomier restroom stalls with sinks inside.
"Some challenges are not apparent, but there are people with unseen disabilities," Gardner said. "The compassionate, and probably legal, response is to accommodate them."
Gardner had noticed the lack of these facilities before the invitations to apply for the scholarship were sent out. She knew immediately what she wanted to propose.
"I went 'All right! A forum for this thing I've been thinking about.' I think when opportunity knocks, you should take advantage of it," Gardner said.
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