Janie Sikes selected as winner for best 100-word essay on the future of University of Delaware Provost Tom Apple and a selection committee composed of other senior administrators have chosen a winner in the third Excellence in Writing competition of the year, a 100-word essay on the future of UD.  Senior Janie Sikes, a communication major from Townsend, Del., has been named the first-place winner.

 Her essay, which can be read online (http://www.udel.edu/writing/winners.html), highlights the University's brand campaign and suggests innovation and imagination will be key to the institution's future.  "The ability to write clearly and concisely is essential in today's world, where information is written, shared and 'tweeted' in a matter of seconds," says Apple. "It is therefore incredibly encouraging to see that our students are working so deftly to hone these fundamental communications skills."  In addition to a monetary award of $500 Sikes will have the opportunity to meet with Apple and other senior administrators to discuss her thoughts and suggestions for the University's future.