A Note from the Editors
By Hannah Marcum ‘18 & K.E. Daft ‘19
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the 38th edition of The Writing Anthology.
It is our delight to share this year’s publication with you. After reviewing submissions representing a wide variety of disciplines, we selected the following eight pieces to be featured. The rigor of this selection process proves the continuing excellence of student writing at Central College. We offer our congratulations to the published student authors: you should be proud of your exemplary work.
While the goals of specific disciplines are easy to spot in this diverse blend of essays, we hope you will also take notice of the overarching themes that connect them. K.E’s opening personal essay reveals through its simple scenes the author’s commitment to authentic self-discovery. In the final piece, “Ghosts,” Travis immerses readers in his authentic experiences on the Afghan battlefield. Both pieces demonstrate that we read and write in order to find our true selves. The authors featured in this year’s anthology succeed in communicating their identities along with their original ideas, and we hope that in reading you are reminded of the authentic, human side of academic writing.
Each year, The John Allen Award is granted to the individual exhibiting the highest quality of student writing. We are proud to honor Hannah Marcum with this year’s award. Her meticulous essay “Flash of Lightning, Sprig of Lilac: Representations of Nature in Walt Whitman’s War Poetry” weaves together close analysis of poetry with history, biography, and aesthetic theory in an ambitious new reading of an American classic. In her third and final year as a Writing Anthology co-editor, Hannah’s dedication to the publication has been duly rewarded by this recognition and serves as a model for future writers and editors.
We offer our thanks to the professors who inspired and shaped these essays for taking notice of their students’ exemplary work. Your dedication to your students’ success is commendable. Thanks also to Professor Mat Kelly for his discerning eye and for our cover design, and to all of the featured student artists for their outstanding contributions. We would particularly like to recognize Madeline Wagner for providing this year’s cover art. Finally, our thanks to Steffanie Bonnstetter in Central College Communications for her expertise.
Most importantly, we acknowledge our faculty advisors, Dr. Joshua Doležal and Dr. Ashley Scolaro, who have been insightful guides throughout the publication process. Dr. Doležal is in his second year as lead advisor and we are excited to see his future vision for this publication unfold, including the development of a web edition of The Writing Anthology. Our thanks go out to Jordan Bohr and Cooper Vittetoe for bringing this new facet of the anthology to life.
One final thank you to all—past, present, and future—who have made this anthology possible. Without further ado, we present the 2018 Writing Anthology.
Hannah Marcum ‘18
K.E. Daft ‘19