MACON—Mercer University students and recent graduates, whose work was published in the University’s literary and arts magazine, The Dulcimer, during the 2022-2023 academic year, recently received Gold Circle Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA).
The Gold Circle Awards recognize individual achievement by students in four major categories: News, Magazine, Digital Media and Yearbook.
“This recognition by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association confirms what we at Mercer already know—that our student writers and artists are producing terrific work,” said Chelsea Rathburn, associate professor of English and Poet Laureate of Georgia.
This year, 6,970 entrants submitted works for consideration, and judges chose 1,204 winners.
“It’s wonderful to see The Dulcimer continue to be a place where the creativity of our students can flourish and be recognized on a national level,” said Craig Coleman, professor and co-chair of the art department.
Mercer students and recent graduates won the following:
Open (Free-form) Poetry
Maret McWhorter, rising junior, first place
Hailie Cochran, Class of 2023, third place
Drew Robertson, Class of 2023, certificate of merit
Experimental Fiction
Harley Ragsdale, rising junior, second place
Photo Illustration
Andreana Taylor, Class of 2023, first place
Informational Graphics
Ashley Curtis, Class of 2024, certificate of merit
“These awards say a lot about how the arts, both written and visual, are thriving on our campus,” said Dr. James Davis May, assistant professor and director of creative writing. “It’s also worth noting that two of the winners, recent graduates Hailie Cochran and Drew Robertson, are now studying at two of the top M.F.A. programs in the country.”
Originally published in 1966, The Dulcimer is a student-run publication promoting an appreciation and love for the arts through the publication of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and artwork of all mediums.
