Three Department of English Language and Literature doctoral candidates were awarded Bilinski Fellowships for the 2017-2018 year!
Jada Ach, a student of 19th century American literature, is currently completing a
dissertation on the “often messy relations between humans and environments” depicted
in “wasteland spaces” in American literature at the turn of the twentieth century,
with sand, water, and salt playing especially crucial roles in humans’ efforts to
control their ecological surroundings. Jada is grateful for the Bilinski Fellowship
and its support for her project.
Adam Lerner, a student of Rhetoric and Composition, examines in his dissertation
the various ways that “uncertainty” has been used to inform decision-making practices
in health, medical, and scientific contexts. Adam says that “The Bilinski Education
Foundation’s continued support is a vital resource for thought-provoking research
and scholarship. Their support has helped me achieve many of my professional and personal
goals.”
Jillian Weber, a student of 19th century American literature, explores how athletic
women—and in particular, athletic female characters in American literature of the
nineteenth century—are shaped not only by authorial and cultural influences, but also
by women's appropriation of “cultural scripts” through athletic performances and play.
Jillian notes that the Bilinski Fellowship has provided her with valuable time to
focus on, and finish, her dissertation.
Congratulations again to Jada, Adam, and Jillian for their well-deserved accolade
and for the contributions they make to their fields through their projects.