Ashley Clemens is the winner of the 2022 Carol Lipson Outstanding Writing Major Award.

In accepting the prize at the award presentation, Clemens said, “Thank you all so much for your kind words. I am honored and humbled to be here today. Freshman year, I thought I was going to study biotechnology, but as soon as I took Intro to Creative Nonfiction, I was hooked. Writing has taught me so much about self-expression, persuasion, empathy, and how to truly listen to one another–a skill I think our world needs a bit more of. Compassionate, intelligent, and patient professors make this program as strong as it is, and one that I am so grateful to be a part of. I want to specifically thank Ivy Kleinbart for believing in me and supporting me throughout the past four years, Jonna Gilfus for advising me as I decided on which path to take, Krista Kennedy for allowing me to explore my ideas as far as they can go, and Patrick Berry for being so supportive and passionate about helping his students succeed. Through my previous writing classes, I’ve learned the value of strong rhetoric, and the importance of being attuned to what is going on around us. I am truly so grateful to be a writing and rhetoric major and honored to receive this award.”

Clemens has accepted a position as a TV news producer at Channel 13 WNYT in Albany, where she will be starting in June.

In nominating Clemens for the award, Patrick W. Berry, associate professor of writing studies, rhetoric, and composition, says, “Clemens is a remarkable student: thoughtful, hardworking, and always engaged. She has taken advantage of the many opportunities that SU offers. Given her commitment to writing, it is no surprise to see her serving in numerous editorial spots: the managing editor of Perception; a reporter for the Daily Orange; a Digital Campus Life Columnist for Equal Time Magazine. However, her participation and engagement extend beyond these editorial roles. Since January 2020, she has given tours to prospective students and their families, demonstrating her commitment to Syracuse University and all it has to offer."

Berry continues, "In addition to her work on campus, Clemens has held several other positions that illustrate her engagement and ability to communicate with the public. These include serving as Investigative News Intern for KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, a Social Media Liaison for Cut For Time Comedy Club, and a DJ.”

Additional words about Ashley:

Krista Kennedy, associate professor of writing studies, rhetoric, and composition, says, "Ashley combines insatiable curiosity, humor, and a strong work ethic with a commitment to deep analysis. Working with her rhetorical analyses of pop culture artifacts over the past few years has been a treat. Ashley understands that movies and television shows are for relaxation, but that they also tell us real things about where a culture is at with its views of gender performances, rhetorics of mental health, rhetorical agency, and rhetorical circulation. I have no doubt that she’ll continue to do amazing work as she moves further into being a producer of media artifacts herself."

Jonna I. Gilfus, associate teaching professor writing studies, rhetoric, and composition and director of undergraduate studies, says, "
Ashley’s wide-ranging and impressive achievements make clear that she has a drive for success, but in the classroom, what stands out most to me is a natural intellectual curiosity and effervescence that inspires others. She is a wonderful writer who cares deeply about promoting justice, ethics, and understanding in the world."

Ivy Kleinbart, professional writing instructor in writing studies, rhetoric, and composition, says, "Ashley is one of those rare human beings who know the art of smiling when she speaks, and in doing so, she exudes a kind of inner light that impacts the energy in the room. She is one of the hardest working and most enthusiastic writers I can recall working with in recent years. She was a leader in class discussions and small-group workshops--warm and gracious in her feedback to others, and open to constructive suggestions that might help to strengthen her writing. She's also an independent thinker who listens to others with an open mind, but considers the evidence carefully before taking a position. She knows how to challenge other viewpoints gently and respectfully. In class conversations, she was entirely mentally present at all times."