News: Literature major announced as winner of University undergraduate essay contest

12/3/08 | Jennifer Erickson, a senior from Lockport, IL, with a double major in Political Science and English Language and Literature, has been named the recipient of a $500 cash prize for her essay on China and human rights, Benedictine University Scholars Program Director Martin J. Tracey, Ph.D., announced recently.

The contest was prompted by the October visit of Dimon Liu, an internationally renowned human rights activist, architect and urban planner. Liu visited Benedictine as part of the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program administered by the Council of Independent Colleges in Washington, D.C.

Liu’s human rights activities have included urging human rights organizations to embrace Chinese concerns, systematically briefing journalists on conditions in China, teaching Chinese citizens how to get involved in politics and organizing human rights initiatives within Chinese pro-democracy groups.

Entrants were required to submit a 1,000-word essay on a subject involving “China, Human Rights and ‘Asian Values.’” Erickson’s essay, titled “A Necessary Adjustment to the Decision-Making Model Rooted in ‘Asian Values,’” was judged best in a blind review by a panel that included faculty and department heads.

Erickson is the daughter of Daniel T. and Colleen Erickson of Lockport and a 2004 graduate of Lockport High School. An essay by Rafia Khader, a senior Economics major from Bolingbrook, IL, was named honorable mention.

excerpted and adapted from Benedictine press release