2025 Porter Scholarship Recipients Announced

Olivia Buckel is an English student from Erie, Pennsylvania. She has a concentration in creative writing as well as a minor in professional writing. She works as a consultant in the JCU Writing Center and previously wrote and edited articles and monthly newsletters for the Peace, Justice, and Human Rights program. She has edited Prose, Poetry, and Visual Arts for The Carroll Review, occupies a Media Beat Reporter position for The Carroll News, has worked as an Assistant Organizer for the Honors Service Board, conducted research for the Women and Allies Coalition, and just completed a research poster and presentation focused on anxiety disorders in writing centers for JCU’s Discover Research Day. She enjoys giving back to the Cleveland community she has found a home in, particularly through tutoring students through the CHUH District Options Program, and will be an intern this summer for CSSA’s Summer in the City Nonprofit Placement program. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, going to the movie theatre, and exploring local cafes and bookstores. Olivia hopes to take her experiences, education, and writing skills in the humanities and work in nonprofits or professional writing full-time after graduation. 

See Olivia's thirty-second "elevator pitch" for the humanities.

Marie Kanzinger is a junior English major with a concentration in creative writing and a minor in gender, sexuality, & women’s studies. From Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Marie has loved writing since her preschool teacher took her aside to write a story about a runaway horse. She works as a consultant in the university’s Writing Center, as an editor for The Carroll Review, and is the financial officer for the Women and Allies Coalition. She has acted as a workshop leader for the John Carroll Young Writers Workshop, volunteered for Writers in Residence, and conducted research for the Writing Center over the summer on how consultants can best approach creative writing in the Writing Center. In her free time, Marie enjoys reading anything from horror to graphic novels, along with playing piano, drawing, and writing.

See Marie's thirty-second "elevator pitch" for the humanities.

Bella Congelio is an English major with a concentration in professional writing. She also has minors in gender, sexuality, and women's studies and sociology & criminology. She is the president of the Sweet Carrollines, the opinion section editor for The Carroll News, and is a writing center consultant. 

See Bella's thirty-second "elevator pitch" for the humanities.

Paige Smith is a Professional Writing major, with minors in business and Ancient Greek/Roman Studies. She is also the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion chair for Chi Omega. She has participated in the Young Writers Workshop and volunteered for community service through JCU. She is excited to soon start her journey to become an English Teacher for grades 7-12. 

See Paige's thirty-second "elevator pitch" for the humanities.