Writing Center Highlights!

During the Fall 2006 semester, the Writing Center saw a total of

1016 clients in
3193 sessions
96% of available tutoring time
48 workshop attendees

Peer tutor and Writing Fellow Alex Antram was a Marshall Scholarship finalist for the D.C. region.

WAC Assistant Director Named
In support of our nationally ranked  program, Provost Stearns provided funding for faculty release time for a program assistant director. Sue Durham assumed this role in fall 2006. She will act as interim WAC director in the spring while director Terry Zawacki is on research leave. The recognition and praise our WAC program has garnered could not have happened without the efforts of faculty across the university. The WAC committee greatly appreciates your efforts, and looks forward to continued cooperation and success. (The interim writing center director for spring will be Anna Habib).    

Writing At Center
Director/Editor: Dr. Terry Zawacki
Production Editor: Scott Weaver
Web Designer: Sally Baggett

Illness Narrative Assignment Deepens Understanding and Strengthens Writing Skills
by Pamela Cangelosi, Nursing

In today’s fast-paced and content-laden educational environment, it is essential to identify teaching strategies that assist students in understanding essential information and its application to their future careers.  One way to accomplish this is to integrate teaching strategies that reinforce the vital content of the course and also provide opportunities for student growth beyond the objectives of the course.  Important for all disciplines, integrated teaching is critical in the health sciences where lack of knowledge can mean the difference between life and death. more

Advice on Best Practices for Using TurnItIn.com

WAC Program Initiatives for 2006-2007

The Postgraduate Fellowships and Scholarships program supports Mason’s most accomplished students: those who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and excellent leadership skills, completed significant research projects, and developed a global perspective.  Since the program was established in mid-2005, several Mason students have received major awards and recognition. 

One student was named a Truman Finalist, another was awarded a Fulbright, three received NSEP/David Boren undergraduate scholarships.  Other recipients obtained a Pickering award and a Virginia Governor’s Fellowship.  The application process encourages all students to clarify their academic and professional goals and to develop their written and oral presentation skills. more

Sue Durham, Nursing, Assumes WAC Assistant Director Role

Long-time member of the WAC Committee, Susan Durham has been teaching at George Mason University in the undergraduate nursing program since 1991.  Her writing involvement at George Mason University began with her teaching and coordinating of the School of Nursing’s writing-intensive course, NURS 465 in 1995. more