To recognize outstanding undergraduate writers and writing in the majors, the Writing Across the Curriculum Program joins annually with departments to support and publicize awards currently given for students' written work. Student writing may include, for example, essays, reports, poster presentations, capstone portfolios, theses, or even written performance in a series of courses. The names of student award winners are publicized on the WAC website. Our goal in supporting these awards is to make the university community aware of departmental efforts in making excellence in writing a priority and to give well-deserved recognition to our strong student writers.
The WAC program also provides funding support for departments that do not currently give awards for outstanding undergraduate writing. All student award winners receive a certificate for the "George Mason Award for Excellence in Writing in the Disciplines" and a letter from the WAC committee congratulating them on their writing accomplishments.
Departments wishing to institute a writing excellence award may contact the WAC director, who will suggest ways departments might identify outstanding writers and also explain how to apply for WAC funding for the award. For additional information on the awards, see the memo sent to departments (PDF).