Janice Nora Lackey Award for Academic Excellence

NPEP is proud to announce the winners and honorable mentions from the inaugural Janice Nora Lackey Award for Academic Excellence, named in honor of Janice Nora Lackey (1940–2012), who was a lifelong learner, a believer in the uniquely empowering nature of education, and the inspiration for the founding of the Northwestern Prison Education Program.

NPEP received more than 20 essay submissions for consideration. Each essay was read by two members of an anonymous panel of three NPEP faculty members, who provided notes and a preliminary assessment. Essays that received two positive votes were then read by the third committee member. All of the essays were discussed and evaluated against the criteria identified in the award announcement: clarity of writing, creativity, argumentative strength, and level of development.

Winners:

Chelsea Raker, “Bill’s House”

William Peeples, “Obliterating the Hydra of Oppression”

Honorable Mentions:

Joyce McGee, “Weekends at the Robert Taylor Homes”

D.C. Crite, “Untitled”

Readers can read both stories:

“Bill’s House,” by Chelsea Raker

“Obliterating the Hydra of Oppression,” by William Peeples

This annual award is supported by a donation from Jennifer Lackey, Baron Reed, Isabella Reed, and Catherine Reed. Below is a drawing of Janice Nora Lackey, created by Anthony Ehlers, an NPEP graduate.