Marissa Seib, a senior history major with minors in public history and American Sign Language/Deaf studies, took home the top prize in Niagara University’s annual Susan B. Anthony Writing Award competition during a celebration Feb. 13.
Seib’s paper, “Refusing to Accept ‘No’: Dorothea Dix and the Asylum Reform Movement,” was selected as the best submission in the contest, now in its 18th year. The Portville, N.Y., native currently serves as president of the university’s History Forum, Knot For Me, and To Write Love On Her Arms, and is a member of the ASL Club and Muslim Student Alliance. She is in Phi Alpha Theta, the president's honor society, and the university's honors program, and works as a peer tutor.
Emily Mager, a junior from of Frewsburg, N.Y., received one of two honorable mentions for her paper, “Women: The Underrated Heroes of the American Civil War.” She is majoring in middle childhood and adolescence education, social studies, 5-12, and serves as president of the Niagara University Future Teachers Association, co-chair of the Campus Programming Board’s “Late Nite” committee, and treasurer of the Niagara University Dance Crew. She is also involved with Campus Ministry and volunteers with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Olivia Takacs, a senior from West Seneca, N.Y., who is pursuing a degree in art history and museum studies with minors in women’s studies, Italian studies, and studio arts, also received honorable mention for her paper “The Modern and Contemporary Pieta: Authentic Females’ Perspective of Motherhood.” She has been inducted into Delta Epsilon Sigma and has been awarded The Armand & Eleanor Castellani Award for Excellence in the Field. She volunteers at Buffalo Arts Studio, Niagara University’s Castellani Art Museum, and Explore and More Children’s Museum.
Along with the award presentation, the program also included remarks from Dr. Peter Butera, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and a presentation on the life and work of Susan B. Anthony by Dr. Shannon Risk, associate professor of history and director of the women’s studies program, who chaired the event.
At the conclusion of the program, attendees enjoyed a slice of cake in celebration of Anthony’s birthday, Feb. 15, 1820.