To recognize outstanding undergraduate writers and writing in the majors, the Writing Across the Curriculum Program has joined 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. These awards have been named the "Chris Thaiss Award for Excellence in Writing in the Disciplines" to recognize Thaiss as the founder of the Mason WAC program. Working with the Faculty Senate, Chris created the program in 1990 and was director until 1998 when he became Chair of the English Department. In 2006, he left Mason to become the Clark Kerr Presidential Chair and Director of the University Writing Program at the University of California, Davis.
Departments wishing to institute a writing excellence award may contact WAC director Terry Zawacki at tzawacki@gmu.edu. She 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 the WAC Committee sends to departments (PDF).