Since 2009, the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) and the Office of Diversity and Special Programs have conducted a contest to recognize the best papers submitted by students who participated in the previous year's diversity course. ENGR 10: D1 Diversity Issues in STEM, is the first course in the country designed specifically to address some of the issues that our students may face in college and their future workplaces. This year the entries were so earnest and the lessons so transformational for some of the students that a third place prize category was added.

1st Place, $150: Emily Reinhardt, Sophomore, Psych
2nd Place, $100: Catherine Callahan, First Year, CE
3rd Place, $50: Chad Foley, III, Sophomore, Math

Other submissions came from Darius Ellies, BSAD; Kendra Fleming, CAS;
Krista King, CE; and Adam Rubinsohn, Math.

The course was designed, and is taught, by Josie Herrera, director of the Diversity and Special Programs Office in CEMS. Entries were judged by members of the CEMS Dean's Office based on the following structure:

• 40% Honesty and Insight (heartfelt & authentic)
• 30% Logical development and structure (well thought out argument)
• 20% Proper documentation (bibliography and citations)
• 10% Grammar and punctuation

"This year we received seven excellent papers from students who participated in five sections of the course, in Spring and Fall of 2009, and the choices were difficult to make," said Josie Herrera. “Our congratulations go to our winners!”